The Casino File
It’s time to deck the halls of local casino showrooms as seasonally themed extravaganzas take center stage.
From headliners to production shows to ballet and classical recitals to the screening of a beloved holiday-set movie featuring an in-person appearance by its now-grown-up star, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas throughout Our Town’s gaming industry.
Among the ingredients in this year’s holiday-program casserole is the second annual edition of “Christmas in Concert,” which has a 14-performances-in-19-days run commencing Dec. 5. According to the show’s Atlantic City-based producer, Allen Valentine, the challenge in putting such a program together is finding the combination of songs that will satisfy various holiday-music tastes.
“We tried hard to find that balance,” said Valentine, who is also the guy behind the decidedly family-unfriendly “The Burlesque Show,” an annual Borgata attraction for more than a decade.
“We really wanted some things that are a celebration of Christmas, songs that actually celebrate the birth of Christ. And then we wanted to find those songs that are just a celebration of the season; songs like ‘Frosty the Snowman.’ I think my team did a pretty good job of finding a good balance between secular and non-secular holiday songs.”
The proof of that is obvious: Borgata wouldn’t have paid for an encore if last year’s maiden voyage was not successful.
“The crowd response was huge; attendance was through the roof,” bragged Valentine. “So, they said, ‘Let’s bring this back for sure.’”
Below is a look at what’s in store as the Yuletide-industrial complex revs up in the casinos. Tickets to all shows are available at ticketmaster.com:
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
Sarah Brightman: A Winter Symphony (Nov. 28).
British soprano Brightman will be accompanied by an orchestra, choir and “special guests” as she serves up a program of holiday favorites and her musical-theater signatures.
Mark Tremonti Sings Sinatra—Christmas Special (Dec. 13)
What makes this booking noteworthy is that singer-lead guitarist Tremonti is best known for his being a founding member of the modern-rock bands Creed and Alter Bridge. But he’s switching gears with this seasonally tinged tribute to Ol’ Blue Eyes.
Caesars Atlantic City
Atlantic City Ballet—It’s A Shore Holiday (Dec. 4)
The local dance company steps away from its bread-and-butter, classical ballet, to present a show that includes elements thereof, but has a far-more “show bizzy” blueprint.
The Michael Buble Experience “A Very Buble Christmas” (Dec. 12)
While Mark Tremonti celebrates Sinatra at Borgata, the Sinatra-inspired Michael Buble is paid tribute by crooner Kevin Norrie and his quintet, who wrap things in a holiday-season package.
Golden Nugget Atlantic City
Human Nature Christmas, Motown & More! (Dec. 6)
The popular Australian vocal trio marks the holidays with a set that features both Christmas-focused songs and classic tunes from the Motown record label catalog.
Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City
Engelbert Humperdinck: A Winter World of Love (Dec. 13)
The 89-year-old pop legend returns to AC with a program that combines holiday favorites with songs from his immense canon.
Christmas In the Air (Dec. 20)
This production show promises a Radio City-style extravaganza with high-kicking dancers and a sleigh-full of favorite holiday tunes.
Ocean Casino Resort
A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin: Home Alone 35th Anniversary (Dec. 12)
By far and away the coolest, most unique holiday offering of all is a screening of the revered 1990 comedy followed by a live interview with Culkin, who’ll talk about his experiences making the classic flick.
Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland (Dec. 13)
Expect a typical “cirque” raveup with eye-catching costumes, fantastical sets and an assortment of performers including acrobats, aerialists balancing acts and the like.
Resorts Casino-Hotel
Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings (Dec.19)
Part of the ongoing Candlelight concert series, this program, like the others, will be staged in a candle-lit Starlight Ballroom.
Tropicana Atlantic City
An Ozzie and Harriet Christmas with the Nelsons (Dec. 13)
1990s pop-rock sensations Nelson (twins Gunnar and Matthew) take a nostalgic look at holidays past by celebrating their dad Ricky and grandparents, Ozzie and Harriet. They’ll throw in some of their hits as well.
‘Jersey Shore’ roast at Hard Rock
Just a reminder that Dec. 1 will see the first-ever roast of “Jersey Shore” cast members at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.
The whole sun-tanning, laundry-doing gang — Snooki, Pauly D, The Situation, JWoww, Vinny, Sammi, Deena, Ronnie, and Angelina — will be on the hot seat as the insults — and laughs — fly.
What’s being billed as a “a no-holds-barred night of shocking jokes and celebrity surprises” takes place at 8 p.m. in the Sound Waves theater. Emceeing the comedy throwdown will be funnyman Chris Distefano.
The bash will be filmed for broadcast on MTV’s “Jersey Shore Family Vacation” series.
For tickets, go to ticketmaster.com.
Chuck Darrow has spent more than 40 years writing about Atlantic City casinos.
