Atlantic City Weekly

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It’s surely a sign of the season — and the economy.

Casino showrooms are ramping up for the holidays, but this year — just as last — there are fewer holiday shows from which to choose. And for the second consecutive year casino guests will have to get their Nutcracker fix elsewhere.

The classic Tchaikovsky fairytale ballet — once a holiday staple in the casinos — will be conspicuous again by its absence. In the past, casinos have brought renowned ballet companies, ranging from the Moscow Ballet to the Hartford Ballet, to town to perform the sprawling family show.

But The Nutcracker is an expensive show to present. Between principle performers and the corps de ballet, the cast alone can number 40 or 50 performers or more. Add an orchestra and the small army of technicians working behind the scenes, and the show becomes cost-prohibitive during a shaky economy.

“You don’t want to [cut corners] on The Nutcracker,” says one casino entertainment executive. “To do it right, you either bring in the full show or you don’t do it at all. And bringing in the full-scale show right now would be an expensive ticket not only for the venue, but for the [customers].”

The casinos will offer a small mixed bag of holiday shows. In fact, three of the five programs marketed as holiday shows will feature artists and productions that have become seasonal staples in Atlantic City.

Former Stray Cats singer and guitarist Brian Setzer, who’s been fronting his own swing band for the past 15 years, brings his retro Christmas swing show to town for the seventh consecutive year.

Home-grown entertainer Charlie Prose, who made his name in the casinos by entertaining large legions of tour bus customers, is back with his variety-filled program. And the production show Cirque Dreams Holidaze is returning for an extended run this month and next.

Following is a roundup of casino holiday shows:

Miracle on 34th Street at the Tropicana, Nov. 14-Dec. 19 — The casino opens a four-week run this weekend of the stage musical adapted from the movie classic. Miracle on 34th Street tells the story of what happens at Macy’s in New York City following the department store’s annual Thanksgiving parade. The Tropicana adaptation is filled with holiday music, cartoon characters and the sights and sounds of the season.

For specific days and show times, go to tropicana.net. Tickets are $25.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze at Trump Taj Mahal, Nov. 25-Dec. 13 — Artists who blur the line between entertainment and athletics take the center stage spotlight in a show from the creators of the Cirque Dreams franchise. Holidaze, like other shows from Florida-based producer Neil Goldberg, features acrobats, contortionists, jugglers, musicians and other variety artists, all of them performing against a colorful holiday backdrop supported by both original and familiar music. Days and show times vary. Tickets are $25 and $35.

The 7th annual Brian Setzer Orchestra Christmas Rocks! Extravaganza at Trump Taj Mahal, Nov. 28 — The rock ‘n’ retro musician and singer, who scored a big solo hit with his swing band on the old Louis Prima tune “Jump, Jive & Wail,” has become a holiday-season staple not only in Atlantic City, but by touring the country with his holiday-themed show. Setzer’s big band is as tight and well-drilled as they come, and he’s recorded so many holiday songs since forming the band 15 years ago that an accurate set list is hard to predict. But it’s a safe bet you’ll hear many of your holiday favorites, most of them arranged as big-band swing tunes. Show time on Nov. 28 is 8pm. Tickets are $49.50 and $69.50, with meet-and-greet packages available.

The Charlie Prose Christmas Show at Trump Plaza — Prose, a versatile comedian, singer and musician, is known in these parts as the biggest star you’ve never heard of. Flying under the radar, his talents as an entertainer and marketing person helped him amass a fan base of hundreds of thousands of people, who pack showrooms and auditoriums wherever he appears. In his annual holiday show, which also features singer David Grayson, Prose will alternate between funny holiday stories and plenty of familiar music and variety entertainment. Show times are 9pm Dec. 4, 8pm Dec. 5 and 3pm Dec. 6. Tickets are $35.

Spirit of Christmas: A Magical Holiday Celebration at the Hilton, Dec. 8-20 — Produced exclusively for the Atlantic City Hilton, Spirit of Christmas doesn’t miss a holiday trick. With a cast of 23 singers, dancers and “the highest-kicking chorus girls this side of the North Pole,” the show creates a winter wonderland on the stage of the Hilton Theater. The biggest star of the show — naturally — is Santa Claus. But the music in the show gets co-billing, because it includes many holiday favorites, ranging from “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” to “White Christmas.” Musical themes in Spirit range from gospel to Motown to Broadway. Days and show times vary. Tickets are $25.

Casual conversations with the stars. Watch the Emmy-winning Curtain Call with David Spatz, Saturdays at 6pm on WMGM-TV NBC40.