Atlantic City Weekly

Need a little extra help getting into the holiday spirit this year? Perhaps you need a break from shopping at The Pier at Caesars or The Walk? Want to hear "Jingle Bells" live on stage? Even if you've answered no to all of the above, you may be interested in checking out one or more of the following holiday spectacles coming to town. No Charlie Prose this year -- after a 17-year run performing his Christmas show in Atlantic City (see sidebar) -- but will you take Kenny Rogers dressed up like Jolly St. Nick?

Featuring few original members of the three golden oldie groups in the title, this show will please those who like both the sounds of Motown and the '60s, as well as the holiday classics. Visit www.resortsac.com for more information.

Trop's 'Holiday' show

The Tropicana's Quarter has been transformed into a Winter Wonderland once again, with its dazzling decorations, seasonal music and shopping possibilities. Meanwhile, in the casino's showroom, you can rev up your holiday spirit with Holiday Extravaganza - A Musical Journey, appearing through Saturday, Dec. 22. There'll be singers, dancers, acrobats as well as "festive elves, sexy reindeer and Rockette-style dancers." See www.tropicana.net for more.

The country pop star will perform her hits ("Midnight Blue, "You Should Hear How She Talks About You," among them) as well as holiday songs. Manchester released the Christmas albums, The Color of Christmas in 1997, and Joy, in 1998. Visit www.achilton.com for more information.

The annual winter spectacle returns to Atlantic City with its laser light show, live string section, rock band, multiple vocalists, falling snow and "extensive pyrotechnics." Look for songs from the collective's several holiday-themed, progressive rock-operatic albums, such as Christmas Eve and Other Stories (1996), The Christmas Attic (1998) and The Lost Christmas Eve (2004). Go to www.boardwalkhall.com for more.

The O.G. (original gambler) and roasted-chicken chain entrepreneur is comin' to town (at the Taj Mahal) with his annual "Christmas & Hits" tour, which is in its 26th year. Rogers will perform many of the hits from his well-known catalog in addition to holiday classics. A three-time Grammy winner, Rogers has 22 No. 1 hits, including "Lucille," "The Gambler," "She Believes in Me," "You Decorated My Life," "Through the Years" and "Buy Me a Rose." Visit www.trumptaj.com for more information.

'The Nutcracker'

The Moscow Ballet returns to the Borgata for a fourth year to perform this holiday favorite featuring the Sugar Plum Fairy, wooden toy soldiers and graceful dancers. The internationally-renowned ballet will perform the Tschaikovsky classic known as The Great Russian Nutcracker. Go to www.theborgata.com for more information.

No Donny (or Marie) here, but you've got Wayne, Jay and Jimmy cranking up the holiday cheer with a good-time show targeting those who remember the popular '70s pop music and TV stars. The family is celebrating its 50th year performing in show business. The Osmond Brothers started out singing barbershop-style harmonies at Disneyland. The Branson, MO, regulars will be in town for several shows. Visit www.harrahs.com.

Featuring a wintry mix of melodies from three talented Windham Hill recording artists, the night will include the music of multi-instrumentalist Barbara Higbie, pianist Liz Story and Celtic harpist Lisa Lynne at Stockton's sleek Performing Arts Center. This concert could be your cure for the onset of the wintertime blues. Call box office, 652-9000, or visit www.stockton.edu/pac.