Whether in New York City, Las Vegas or somewhere in between, Frank, Sammy and Dean were the show to see. With big bands, the Burelli sisters and on-stage gags, the Rat Pack was the hit act in the ’50s and early’60s.

Now the Pack is back as The Rat Pack, Live at the Sands — a re-enactment of the trio’s performances in the Las Vegas hotel — comes to Raleigh’s Memorial Auditorium on the act’s first U.S. tour.

The production aims to recreate a night at the Sands Hotel with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin and a 15-member band in a performance in which the trio sings many of its old hit songs and creates a banter on-stage that extends to the audience.

“They were so generous on stage and had such trust in each other and just went out there and had a blast,” Nigel Casey, who plays Martin in the production, said of the Rat Pack. “We try to get that dynamic right and have a lot of rapport with the audience.”

The difficulty of recreating such huge stars as the Rat Pack is a tough task for Casey, Chris Mann (Sinatra) and David Hayes (Davis). But as a London native, Casey’s job is even more difficult.

“Those are huge shoes to fill, especially when you’re from England,” Casey said. “[Martin] was one of the three biggest icons of the time, and I get very nervous each time I step out on stage, but it’s still such a thrill.”

Casey has been with the production for a year and a half and hit America for the first time Oct. 3 in San Antonio. The show first appeared in England in 2000 and played over 1,000 times in London before coming to the U.S.

With as many shows as Casey has been in, he has seen his share of cast changes — such as Hayes, who has only been with the group for a few months. But if each actor is able to play his character the way it should be played, Casey said it all works out.

“If you can get to the essence of each character, then the other dynamics will play out on stage,” he said. “Even though he’s new with us, David has played Sammy for years, and Sammy Davis himself said ‘He’s the best me I’ve ever seen.'”

During his stay in Jacksonville, Fla., this week Casey was reminded how popular the Pack’s music still is. While strolling through the lobby, he heard Michael Bublé, Jamie Cullum — who both play a style similar to the Rat Pack — as well as Sinatra himself.

“It’s some of the greatest music ever written and it’s crucial to keep that music alive,” Casey said. “Plus, it makes for a very exciting show.”

Casey’s persona as Martin on the stage is unique, as he plays a notorious drinker who was known to get pretty tipsy as the show went on.

“I’m always listening to Dean’s songs and the way he delivers his lines — he has such a wonderful accent,” Casey said. “He gets a little tipsy on stage and I try not to overdo it, but I have fun with it.”

The production is not so much a play, but it’s not a concert either, with plenty of banter between the cast and the audience.

“It’s predominantly musical theater and the show is so much fun,” Casey said.