CasiNotes: Resorts features 2 Frankies, 1 Boss in its 'Legends' show

THE LATEST edition of the "Legends In Concert" mimic-fest at Resorts Atlantic City could be subtitled "Jersey Edition," as three of the five musical giants paid tribute -

Frank Sinatra

,

Frankie Valli

and

Bruce Springsteen

- hail from the Garden State.

But it's Tennessee native Tina Turner who turns out to be the star of the show, which runs through Nov. 26, thanks to a powerhouse effort by Cookie Watkins.

Watkins, who has the legs (and blond wig) and lungs to perfectly capture Turner's striking visage and singular, nitro-fueled style, shakes the Superstar Theatre's rafters with pitch-perfect takes on the Trammps' dance floor anthem "Disco Inferno," Al Green's "Let's Stay Together," Turner's mid-'80s smash hit "What's Love Got to Do With It" and, of course, a bring-down-the-house romp through "Proud Mary" (complete with whirling Ikettes).

Watkins' performance is so strong that it, and not the presentation by the quintet of singers portraying the Temptations, should probably close the show, although the latter make a strong case for their position on the bill, with pinpoint harmonies and slick choreography on such Motown classics as "Ain't Too Proud to Beg," "Papa Was a Rolling Stone," "Get Ready" and "My Girl."

Not that the turns by the faux Jersey boys are so much chopped liver.

The best of the trio is popular Springsteen copycat Matt Ryan, who, in grease-monkey drag with a brown Fender Telecaster slung around his neck, nails such numbers as "Out in the Street, "Born in the USA," "Hungry Heart" and "Born to Run."

As the two Frankies, Mark Allan Maynard (Valli) and Brian Duprey (Sinatra) are crowd-pleasers. Both gents have the vocal impersonations down pat (especially Maynard, whose falsetto is right on the money).

But neither boasts particularly convincing physical resemblances to their subjects. And Duprey's necessarily mannered work is hampered by his slot, following Watkins' take-no-prisoners set.

A key, if often overlooked, element of any "Legends" production is the onstage band that supplies the music for the singers. The four-piece group backing these performers is incredibly versatile and a real joy to hear, whether pounding out a Springsteen anthem like "Born to Run" or gliding through sophisticated arrangements of Sinatra's "Summer Wind" or "Luck Be a Lady Tonight."

Resorts Atlantic City, Boardwalk at North Carolina Avenue, 9 p.m. today and Nov. 21, 8 p.m. Nov. 22, 7 p.m. Sunday and Tuesday-Thursday, and Nov. 23-26, $25, 800-736-1420, www.ticketmaster.com.

Well, it certainly did for

Steve Schirripa

, who has parlayed his stint as soft-centered mobster Bobby "Bacala" Baccalieri on HBO's "The Sopranos" into a thriving, multifaceted career.

On the TV front, you'll see him in the just-announced Family Channel original movie "Your Presents Requested" and in a guest spot in a forthcoming episode of "Stargate Atlantis." He'll also reprise his regular role in the new season of ABC Family's "The Secret Life of an American Teenager."

But Schirripa is also in demand for live appearances, including this weekend's 5th Annual Comedy Festival at Borgata's Music Box, during which he'll serve as host and emcee for funny folks Kenny Rogerson, Paul Bond, Rob Magnotti, Rahn Ramey, Jodi Weiner, Richie Minervini and Joey Kola.

Borgata, One Borgata Way, 9 p.m. tomorrow-Sunday, $20, 866-900-4849, www.theborgata.com.

AyCee's spa scene expands yet again with tomorrow's opening of the Vive Day Spa & Salon at Showboat.

Located on the second level opposite the buffet, the 3,500- square-foot facility boasts four treatment rooms, three hair-styling stations and three pedicure and two manicure areas. There are also the requisite men's and women's locker rooms with steam baths and saunas.

While a full menu of massages is available, Vive is emphasizing more exotic treatments, including several that are exclusive to the salon. *

Showboat, Boardwalk at Delaware Avenue, 609-343-4118, www.harrahs.com.

Chuck Darrow has covered Atlantic City and the casino industry for more than 20 years. Read his blog at

http://go.philly.com/casinotes. Or e-mail him at darrowc@phillynews.com.