Area casinos are starting to fill in their entertainment schedule for the spring and beyond. For the first year since casinos began operation in Atlantic City, the revenues were down in the year that just ended, 5.7 percent. Don’t feel sorry for the casinos, though; their total revenue was still $4.92 billion.
I bring up the finances because a lot of the entertainers added to the AC schedule recently are not the superstar names we’ve come to expect. There is obviously some belt-tightening going on, even at the jewel in Atlantic City’s crown, Borgata. The Borgata has added a lot more comedians to their slate of entertainers. It’s a talented bunch including Wanda Sykes, Lewis Black, George Carlin and just added, this week, Kathy Griffin (May 31), but comedians are still going to cost less than bands. At some of the other casinos, especially the ones that still cater to Boomers and seniors, newly added headliners include Pat Cooper, Air Supply (Trump Marina); Mickey Rooney, Gary Puckett, Sheena Easton, America, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis (Resorts); Ricci Martin, The Shirelles, Sinbad, Gino Vannelli, Debbie Reynolds (Hilton); Deborah Gibson, Wayne Newton, Tom Jones (Harrah’s); Jackie Mason (Trop), and Engelbert, Kenny Rogers (Trump Plaza). The House of Blues did just add a superb country artist, Gary Allan (May 9, pictured above), but he is still not in the Trace, Alan or Tim echelon (except in pure talent). These shows are affordable, that’s the good news. For ticket info, visit the Tickemaster site and Borgata site