Under the direction of Tom Cantone, the property’s (and its parent company’s) president of sports and entertainment, Mohegan Sun, the mega-casino in Uncasville, Conn., has for years been the entertainment bellwether for the nation’s gaming industry as it has booked the hottest of-the-moment stars and show biz icons alike (musical and otherwise).
Thanks primarily to its 10,000-seat arena, Mohegan Sun has been lauded repeatedly in the media and the industry as the country’s leading gaming hall venue thanks, in large part, to the recently retired Cantone’s visionary approach to entertainment, and the marketing thereof.
This, of course, came as no surprise to those of us who were on the Atlantic City scene in the 1980s and ’90s when Cantone was reinventing casino entertainment, first at the Sands Hotel & Casino and later at the gambling dens owned by Donald Trump.
It was Cantone who essentially dragged the legal-gaming universe (oft times kicking and screaming) into the modern world with his innovative approach to booking acts.
Prior to his showing up at the Sands in the early ’80s, casino showrooms were the province of those entertainers whose audiences were mostly comprised of the parents and grandparents of the Baby Boom generation. This made perfect sense as it was that cohort that kept the lights on at betting parlors here and in Nevada (at the time, the only two jurisdictions with state-sanctioned gambling).
But Harrisburg, Pa. native Cantone realized that it was silly to exclude acts whose appeal was to the then-younger generation. As such, when the other local casinos were content to program the likes of Frank Sinatra and George Burns, the Sands rolled the dice on such acts as Linda Ronstadt and Eddie Murphy. It was a brilliant strategy for two reasons: First, it introduced younger people to the Sands in particular and Atlantic City’s gaming realm in general. And (at least in theory), it promoted brand loyalty among younger patrons which, we can assume, kept Boomers coming to the Sands up until the time it closed its doors in 2006 (it was demolished the following year).
Of course, today, at casinos across the country, booking au currant attractions — including podcasters — is pretty much the industry standard. But 40 years ago, Tom Cantone was there first.
Which leads us to thinking that now that he has time on his hands, perhaps Cantone — whose 2014 book, “Book ‘Em: The Man Who Revolutionized Casino Entertainment” is a must-read for those interested in how things work behind the scenes in this sector of show business — might consider an entertainment consultancy here in Our Town either for a specific property (or properties) or for the city as a whole.
We have no idea if this is something that is even remotely possible. But here’s hoping it is. Having Tom Cantone in such a capacity would definitely elevate AC’s entertainment game.
Meal deals
They’re not necessarily heavily promoted, but there are a couple of pretty good specials being offered at local casinos these days.
Park Place Prime inside Bally’s Atlantic City has a three-course meal consisting of appetizer, entrée and dessert for $55. The bill of fare includes a starter (Caesar salad or Mozzarella Arancini) and entrée (steak frites or a seafood option) and dessert. Those with deeper pockets can avail themselves of an upgraded “premium” menu for $75.
Up the Boardwalk at Resorts Casino-Hotel, Capriccio, the oldest casino eatery in town, offers “Sunday Gravy at Capriccio,” which costs $40 and features choice of salad (classic Caesar with romaine, shaved Reggiano, and creamy parmesan, or the Capriccio House Salad with winter farro, torn kale, rose apples, chopped walnuts, sweet potato, Humboldt fog cheese, and apple cider vinaigrette) followed by a choice of chicken Milanese with harvest greens and lemon vinaigrette, Mezzi rigatoni with meat bolognese and hand-dipped ricotta or Bucatini Arrabbiata with pepperoncino chili, San Marzano tomatoes, a Capriccio meatball and hand-dipped ricotta. Cannolis comprise the dessert course.
Both specials will be available through the last week of the year.
Cherry Blossom Festival returns to Kuro
And while we’re in a culinary mood, be advised that Kuro, the Asian-fusion outlet at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City is in the midst of its second annual Cherry Blossom Festival.
Once again, the Boardwalk-adjacent dining room has been redecorated with appropriate seasonal flora, while executive chef Leslie Daniel prepares specially curated dishes. The festivities run through May 10.
Cats amazing!
It was less than six months ago that Brian Setzer, lead singer-guitarist for the 1980s rockabilly revivalists The Stray Cats, announced that a rare autoimmune disease that caused serious issues with his hands had forced him to ostensibly retire from performing.
But it seems that the 67-year-old rocker has experienced enough of a recovery that the trio will be mounting a summer tour that will bring the unit to Ocean Casino-Resort Aug. 15.
For tickets, go to ticketmaster.com.
Oops
In our recent column about LaScala’s Fire at Ocean Casino-Resort, we misspelled Alicia LaScala’s first name.
We apologize for the error.
Chuck Darrow has spent more than 40 years writing about Atlantic City casinos.
