Comedian Joe Piscopo and Resorts partner for Club Piscopo, a modern recreation of the clubs that first put Atlantic City on the entertainment map
Piscopo at a May press conference on the Boardwalk announcing his new club at Resorts.
When it comes to “old-school” Atlantic City, veteran comic Joe Piscopo can speak from experience.
Piscopo has always been a Jersey guy first and has been playing Atlantic City since the earliest days of his career, while he was making a mark on Saturday Night Live.
But when he talks about his new nightclub, Club Piscopo, opening July 4 weekend at Resorts (July 1-July 3), he’s talking even more old-school than that.
“I’m reaching back before even my time really,” he tells Atlantic City Weekly.
“I’m reaching back before casinos and really even before I was born. Before gambling when every big star would make Atlantic City a stop. From Jerry Lewis to Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra when he played the 500 Club. I’m reaching back to the Latin Casino — which was actually in Cherry Hill — but that style. We’re not a supper club per se, but that style of entertainment.”
And what style is that?
Well, swinging baby.
“It’s overdue for the town,” he says. “Something that the town, I think, has needed for awhile. And it’s something that I’ve wanted to do for virtually my whole career. To develop a very hip, sexy, retro-style lounge, comedy, music, swinging joint if you know what I mean. You know, the way it used to be.
“I remember hearing about those days and how great it was,” he says. “And then you’ll hear some of the old-school cats talking about how it was. And I’d say, ‘Boy, if we could capture that it would be great.’”
Say “club” these days in Atlantic City, and you think of the hard driving, DJ-fueled clubs like MIXX, Casbah and Providence. And Piscopo says he’s been to most of them and understands that club scene.
But it’s not what his club is about.
Club Piscopo will be heavy on live stage entertainment with a variety of acts from comedy to jazz music, anchored most weekends by Piscopo himself. The club opens Friday, July 1, and will present shows four nights a week, Thursday through Sunday, through the summer.
For the grand opening weekend, Piscopo will be joined by comedian Jeff Norris and a 10-piece jazz band.
But Piscopo points out that there will never be a set show at the club. Every night could see a different line-up of acts as he draws from the pool of talent in Atlantic City.
“Atlantic City has some great undiscovered talent for comedy and music,” he says. “And they don’t headline and they don’t have billboards. But I’ve had the good fortune to work with some of these folks. And we’re going to put them on the stage.”
Before his Academy Award-winning performance in Ray, Jamie Foxx was a well-liked comedian, both as a stand up and from his TV roles (In Living Color, The Jamie Foxx Show). His film career was part of the package (Any Given Sunday), but was mostly in supporting roles.
Asking me to name my favorite Atlantic City casino is like asking me to name the best show I’ve ever seen. It can’t be done. Just as every great show has that one certain something that gives it its individuality, each of the city’s 11 casino hotels has a personality that makes it stand on its own, at least for me. For reasons that are as professional as they are sometimes personal, I’ve always maintained that each casino has one quality that sets it apart from the others. Yet none have — and probably never will — achieved “favored” status with me. It’s like me asking you to name your favorite kid. But there is one property that will forever have a very special place in my heart, and...
“I only wore this suit for you guys,” says Gomes, tugging at his collar. “When I’m working, you’ll never catch me in a suit.”
During the grand opening of Resorts Casino took place on May 27, Dennis Gomes, Joe Piscopo and Mayor Lorenzo Langford announced that several exciting attractions will be coming to Atlantic City’s newest resort.
ATLANTIC CITY — The transformation of Resorts to a '20s theme, sparked by international interest in the Atlantic City depicted in HBO's hit series Boardwalk Empire, continues to evolve. And the results have been very impressive. First the first gay club within an Atlantic City casino opened — Prohibition — which is doing very well and packing in both straights and gays to the high energy dance club. Then Boogie Nights developer Dave Pena, a former writer for Atlantic City Weekly, and owner of Planet Rose at the Tropicana Quarter, opened Torch — Atlantic City's first whiskey bar, serving high-end whiskey in a gorgeous space with dark wood, comfy seating and a trend-setting bar. One of the special things about Torch is that it also has a piano and will feature live music Friday and Saturday nights — and on Thursdays later this summer. Not the standard casino lounge acts either; we're talking singer-songwriters from all around the country. It's one of a few places in the entire region where professional singer-songwriters will be encouraged to play their own songs; hats off to Resorts! On a gorgeous Friday afternoon on the Boardwalk, Resorts owner Dennis Gomes, his family, including son Aaron,were present, along with the...
Using original costumes and make-up, Piscopo will re-create characters he first introduced on Saturday Night Live 30 years ago in a show titled That’s Life, which also stars actor Michael Longoria of Broadway’s Jersey Boys.
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1. Anonymous said... on Aug 1, 2011 at 12:19AM
“Joe Piscopo:
I knew your cousin, Robert. He passed away September 12, 2009.
I wonder if you knew. None of his family attended the funeral service.
Robert was a good friend, funny, and very family oriented. I wondered
why no one showed. Good luck with your new club.”
2. Donna Sutton said... on Sep 29, 2011 at 05:01PM
“To whom it may concern,
There is a band called Adrenalize Def Lepp Tribute. They are very good, they only play Def Leppard song. They would like to play at your place.
This is their email:defleppardtribute@onebox.com
The owner of the band is Mike and Lisa
They would like to heard from you. Thank You for your time
Yours Truly,
Donna Sutton”
3. Anonymous said... on Jan 1, 2012 at 06:30PM
“when is the next time you will have this type of venue? dinner and dancing like the old latin casino is something i have been looking for. love the big band sounds especially dancing to them”