‘Phantom -The Las Vegas Spectacular’ friends form the Phat Pack
When "Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular" wraps up in September, a lot of very talented people may be looking for jobs. The four members of the Phat Pack are trying to get a jump-start on harnessing that talent.
On Sunday, the group plans to let the public see what it can do in a free performance at the Community Lutheran Church.
Three of the performers – Ted Keegan, Randal Keith and Bruce Ewing – met through "Phantom."
The trio realized that they had spent the bulk of their professional careers working on shows written by someone else and decided that it was time to put together their own show.
"We’re at a point where we just want to do the music that we love to do and have a good time doing it," Ewing said. "We want to make good music and entertain."
Ewing, who is also the choir director and worship leader for one of the services at Community Lutheran Church, spent 14 years performing three of the roles in "Forever Plaid." Keegan put in 12 years with "Phantom," and Keith toured and performed on Broadway in "Les Misérables."
The three, along with musical director Joey Singer, plan to put on a performance of American standards for the Phat Pack show, which is also set to showcase their individual musical influences.
"It will be standards, Broadway, some new tunes and some comedy," Ewing said. "We’ve performed as a group a little already, and we’re getting great reactions."
The group takes its name from the "Phantom" show, which has a loyal following of fans who call themselves Phantom Phans. The name also pays homage to the Rat Pack, as does the show.
"We’ve got a section that begins with a Jerry Herman song about Las Vegas, and that goes into a bunch of Rat Pack songs," Ewing said. "We’ll sing songs like ‘You Make Me Feel So Young,’ ‘One For My Baby,’ ‘Make Someone Happy’ and ‘S’wonderul.’ "
Singer, who worked with Debbie Reynolds for 27 years and recently performed with her at the South Point, has worked with a wide range of performers, including such luminaries as Dame Shirley Bassey, Henry Mancini, Johnny Mathis and Tony Tennille.
"I used to be in the band for Captain and Tennille, and I work with Toni Tennille when she does her American standards shows," Singer said. "Back when I was a kid in New York, I performed with Cab Calloway, the Mills Brothers, Harry James and other people from the big band era."
Singer also performed at Donna Summer’s final concert.
"I didn’t even know she was sick until she passed away," he said.
Singer intends to bring in all that experience, as well as his time working with the local production of "Mamma Mia!" and filling in at "Lion King" and "Jersey Boys." He’ll be accompanying the trio on piano and singing a bit during the tryout performances.
If all goes well, they hope to expand to a band of six or more musicians, including a rhythm section and some horns. Singer is confident that the group will do well enough to warrant the expansion.
"They all sing beautifully together," he said. "They’ve got a great blend and a lot of experience on stage. I can’t imagine people hearing it and not enjoying it."
The Phat Pack is scheduled to perform at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Community Lutheran Church, 3720 E. Tropicana Ave. Admission is free, but seating is limited.
For reservations, email thephatpackshow@gmail.com.
Contact Sunrise/Whitney View reporter F. Andrew Taylor at ataylor@viewnews.com or 380-4532.
