At casinos, 'down-sized' doesn't mean small-time

It doesn't appear as if the word "blockbuster" will be needed to describe the summer 2009 entertainment schedule in Atlantic City.

"Scaled-back" seems to be a more appropriate description for the casinos' showbiz rosters, as they continue to struggle with the one-two punch of a sour economy and increasing competition from Pennsylvania's slots parlors. Adding to the problem is the refusal of top-shelf acts to lower their fees.

According to a report in the Press of Atlantic City, Memorial Day Weekend-to-Labor Day Weekend headliner bookings are, so far, down close to 50 percent from last year. But that doesn't mean that AyCee will be an entertainment wasteland this summer.

For starters, the season kicks off with a holiday weekend schedule punctuated by several attractions that are certainly not of the "same old, same old" variety. Memorial Day visitors include Las Vegas superstars Penn & Teller (returning to town for the first time this millennium), who will pitch their comedy-magic tent at Harrah's Resorts Atlantic City; Beacher's Madhouse, another Vegas import, which is a 21st-century version of a variety show, at Trump Taj Mahal; and actors Harry Shearer, Michael McKean and Christopher Guest, whose "Unwigged and Unplugged" show at the Borgata will find them performing acoustic versions of songs from their "mockumentaries" "This Is Spinal Tap" and "A Mighty Wind."

Because stand-up comedy is a lot cheaper to produce than bands (who frequently travel with dozens of crew members and tons of sound and lighting equipment), it's not surprising that there'll be plenty of laughter to be had over the next three months. Joan Rivers will hit the Hilton, but most of the jokesters are booked at Borgata, among them Wanda Sykes, Jay Leno,Kathy Griffin, Jim Gaffigan, Cheech & Chong and Jim Breuer.

Nonetheless, musical acts will dominate, with an emphasis on classic-rock artists. Among them are: Bad Company (Resorts Atlantic City); Joe Cocker (Atlantic City Hilton); Fleetwood Mac and Jimmy Buffett (Boardwalk Hall, sponsored by Caesars Atlantic City); Doobie Brothers (Tropicana); and REO Speedwagon/Styx/.38 Special, Chicago (with '70s pop-funksters band Earth, Wind & Fire) and Jackson Browne (Borgata).

While '70s acts are de rigeur in AyCee, this summer will see some 1980s relics come to town: Resorts is presenting Loverboy and, in a multi-act package, synth-poppers ABC, Cutting Crew, Berlin, Heaven 17 and Wang Chung. Depeche Mode mopes it up at Borgata.

If country is more your cup of Old Milwaukee, you can choose from Billy Ray Cyrus, Gretchen Wilson (Hilton), Vince Gill (Caesars) and Phil Vassar (Tropicana).

"Popera" lovers can choose between two of the genre's top exponents, Il Divo and Paul Potts (both of whom will be at Borgata).

Production shows, once a mainstay of the casino industry, are now the exclusive province of the Trump properties.

The Taj Mahal is hosting "Pandemonia," another extravaganza from "Cirque Dreams" impresario Neil Goldberg, while the Plaza will house the summer's only magic show, "Carnival of Wonders," starring Mark Kalin & Jinger. Perhaps most exciting of all is AyCee's first hypnotism-fest, "Hypno-Sterical," at Trump Marina (which, by the time the show opens June 23, may be known as Margaritaville).

And Broadway fans will have to be content with "Fame," which will have a summer-long run at the Tropicana. *