Charlie Prose
Christmas Show
at Trump Plaza
WHAT IS IT: It wouldn't be Christmas in Atlantic City without Charlie Prose. The veteran entertainer has been performing his annual Christmas Show in Atlantic City for 16 years and shows no signs of stopping. Prose's blend of good-natured humor, singing and a tremendous ability to interact with an audience has kept him on the road an average of 200 days per year. According to Prose's Web site, he began seriously working at comedy in 1969. He performed five shows a night in Wildwood, each containing different material.
WHAT TO EXPECT: The Charlie Prose Christmas Show is a classic comedy/variety show full of Christmas carols, stories of Prose's Italian Catholic upbringing in South Philadelphia and good, clean fun. Prose has described his shows as being "one big happy party." What else could you possibly ask for this holiday season?
WHAT'S NEW: Prose's latest project is a children's book called "Little Charlie and his Tu-Ta-Roo Band."
WEB SITE:
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $25, and the shows begin 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino Theatre.
Kozak the Magician
at Tropicana
WHO IS HE: Kozak the Magician began his career as a street performer in Pittsburgh and quickly rose to become a successful comedian and magician.
WHAT TO EXPECT: A comedic night of magic is what one can expect from Kozak the Magician, who performs at the Tropicana Casino and Resort's Comedy Stop for an extended engagement. "Magic is a blend of art, science, history, philosophy, theology and psychology," says Kozak on his official Web site. "I bring these to the table along with a razor-sharp wit honed from years of improvisational experience in comedy clubs."
WEB SITE:
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $23 and $30, and the $30 tickets include dinner. Dinner is 5 p.m. daily, with the show following one hour later at the Comedy Stop in The Quarter at the Tropicana.
Lionel Richie
at Caesars
WHO IS HE: With his smooth, sensual voice and arsenal of love songs, Lionel Richie scored 13 consecutive Top 10 hits during the 1980s, becoming one of the most popular and successful artists of the decade. Richie initially found success in the late 1970s as a member of The Commodores, when he penned the group's only No. 1 pop hits, "Three Times a Lady" and "Still." In 1981, Richie recorded "Endless Love" with Diana Ross. The track spent nine weeks atop the pop charts and became the most successful single in Motown history. By the end of that year, Richie had left the Commodores to pursue a solo career. His solo hits include "Truly," "All Night Long," "Hello," "Say You, Say Me" and "Dancing on the Ceiling."
WHAT TO EXPECT: Richie fans will be dancing on the ceiling all night long at Caesars when the sensitive singer/songwriter rolls into town. Along with superstars Michael Jackson and Prince, Richie was one of the most popular pop singers of the 1980s, amassing countless hits and awards in the process. Richie's strength has always been the love song, and he'll be singing plenty of them, including "Hello," "Say You, Say Me" and "Three Times a Lady." For those looking to get up and dance, Richie will kick out "All Night Long" and "Dancing on the Celing." Fans can also expect a healthy dose of material from his recent album, "Just Go."
WHAT'S NEW: Richie's new album is called "Just Go" and contains 13 tracks including the singles "Good Morning," "Just Go" and "I'm in Love."
WEB SITE:
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $85, $125 and $150, and the show begins 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, at Caesars Atlantic City's Circus Maximus Theater.
'Yesterday' -
A Tribute to the
Beatles at Tropicana
WHAT IS IT: Yesterday is a Las Vegas-based Beatles tribute band that began performing as a unit in 1986. The band has appeared onstage with America, Chicago and The Moody Blues. Yesterday was invited to perform at the U.S. Postal Service's unveiling of the "Yellow Submarine" postage stamp. The band strives to achieve the utmost authenticity.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Those looking to take a trip back to the days when four young lads from England ruled the world will want to head to the Tropicana.
CRITIC'S CORNER: Press of Atlantic City critic Scott Cronick wrote: "While there are some more elaborate and even better Beatles tribute bands out there, Yesterday's enthusiasm and love for the music shines, and the guys sound as good as most Beatles tributes you will hear. 'The British Are Coming!' is a satisfying, fun and inexpensive night out."
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $25. The shows begin 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays to Sundays at the Liverpool Club, North Tower, Tropicana.
Stephen Lynch
at Borgata
WHO IS HE: Stephen Lynch is a multitalented entertainer who works as a comedian, musician and actor. Lynch appeared in two "Comedy Central Presents" specials and starred in "The Wedding Singer" on Broadway. He has released a studio album along with several live albums and DVDs. Lynch's comedic songs help separate him from other comedians on the scene.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Lynch is a natural performer who is equally at ease acting in a Broadway production or performing humorous songs at a comedy club. Lynch's career began to take off after a very popular "Comedy Central Presents" performance, and he really began to turn heads after being cast in the lead role of Broadway's "The Wedding Singer." Fans can look forward to a slew of Lynch's comedic tunes, including "Turned Gay," "Medieval Bush," "Prettier Than You" and "I Am Not a Jukebox."
WHAT'S NEW: Lynch's most recent album is called "3 Balloons" and contains tracks including "Fishin' Hole," "Crazy Peanuts," "Medieval Bush" and "The Ballad of Scarface."
WEB SITE:
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $49.50, and the shows begin
9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 4 and 5, at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa Music Box.
'Miracle on 34th Street' at Tropicana
WHAT IS IT: "Miracle on 34th Street" was a classic holiday film released in 1947 that tells the story of a department store Santa Claus who turns out to be the real thing. There have been several remakes and theatrical versions over the years. The film, with its heart-warming story, has become one of the all-time holiday favorites. Tropicana Casino & Resort will be presenting the live theatrical version throughout the season.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Watching "Miracle on 34th Street" on television during the holiday season has become almost as much of a yuletide tradition over the years as decorating a Christmas tree. This holiday season, Tropicana brings the film to life with performances at the Showroom.
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $25. The show begins at 9 p.m. on Saturdays, 7 p.m. on Sundays, 8 p.m. Mondays to Wednesdays and 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The show runs to Dec. 19 at the Tropicana Showroom.
Boyz II Men at Resorts
WHO ARE THEY: In the 1990s, this Philadelphia-based quartet became the most commercially successful R&B group of all time. Boyz II Men exploded out of the gate in 1991 with the hit single "Motownphilly," off of its debut album "Cooleyhighharmony." In 1992, the single "End of the Road" from the "Boomerang" soundtrack spent a record-breaking
13 weeks at the top of the pop charts. Amazingly, the group topped itself with the success of the single "I'll Make Love to You" from its album "II," which spent 14 weeks at No. 1. Its next single "On Bended Knee" replaced "I'll Make Love to You" on the top of the charts, a feat only previously accomplished by Elvis Presley and The Beatles.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Boyz II Men's song repertoire features some of the biggest hits in recorded music history. The Philadelphia natives will display their impressive vocal styles and soulful harmonies as they perform hits such as "Motownphilly," "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday," "I'll Make Love to You" and "On Bended Knee," as well as tracks from their new album "Love." With the massive success Boyz II Men had during the 1990s, it's almost incomprehensible they'd be playing a venue as intimate as Resorts Atlantic City's Superstar Theater. But fans should take this as an opportunity to see these classic R&B hit-makers up close and personal.
WHAT'S NEW: Boyz II Men's new album, "Love," is an album of diverse covers including Journey's "Open Arms," Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" and the Beatles' "In My Life."
WEB SITE:
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $35 and $45, and the show begins
8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Resorts' Superstar Theater.
Michael Turco's
'Wonder' at Bally's
WHO IS HE: New Jersey's own Michael Turco began performing magic tricks at age 5. Turco's shows include segments that pay tribute to the illusionists who inspired his own career, as well as a combination of tricks he's been developing since his youth and magic with a modern touch. Turco is also known for his storytelling and ability to engage an audience.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Incredible magic, engaging stories and illusions that will have you rubbing your eyes in disbelief are all a part of Turco's "Wonder" at Bally's throughout the rest of 2009. The New Jersey native is a natural showman, at ease with any crowd, and brings his own personal touch to every performance through his storytelling. Turco, 26, has had a love affair with magic since he was a small child, and it shows. His enthusiasm is infectious.
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $30. The show begins at 3 p.m. Sundays and Wednesdays, 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Mondays to Wednesdays. The show runs to January 2 at the Palace Theater, Bally's.
Raphael Saadiq
at House of Blues
WHO IS HE: Raphael Saadiq got his first glimpse of stardom as a founding member of Tony! Toni! Tone! in the late 1980s. The group's album "The Revival" sold six million copies and made them stars. In the mid-1990s, after two solo tracks on the films "Me & You" and "Boyz N da Hood," Saadiq was ready to launch a solo career. He split his time between solo work, producing and a side project called Lucy Pearl with Dawn Robinson and Ali Shaheed. Saadiq's 2002 album "Instant Vintage" earned him five Grammy nominations.
WHAT TO EXPECT: From the early days with the R&B trio Tony! Toni! Tone! through his present career, Saadiq has been dazzling critics and audiences while simultaneously scoring hits on the pop charts. The singer comes to Atlantic City ready to perform songs from the different eras of his career. The show will feature tracks from Saadiq's most recent album "The Way I See It," which earned three Grammy nominations.
WHAT'S NEW: Saadiq collaborated with Mary J. Blige on the track "I Can See Color" from the film "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $20 and $30, and the show begins
8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the House of Blues at Showboat Casino-Hotel.
World Championship Boxing: Paul Williams vs. Sergio Martinez
at Boardwalk Hall
WHO ARE THEY: Paul Williams is a middleweight boxer originally from Aiken, S.C., who holds a professional record of 37-1 with 27 wins coming by way of knockout. As a welterweight he defeated Antonio Margarito in 2007 to take the title and soon found few other fighters in his weight class were willing to meet him in the ring. He moved up to the super welterweight division and won the WBO Super Welterweight Championship against Verno Phillips before moving up to the middleweight division in April. He defeated Ronald Wright and established himself as one of the most respected and feared fighters in the world today.
Sergio Martinez is a 34-year old fighter who won his first 16 fights as a pro before losing a match. The light middleweight got right back to his winning ways by defeating his next 28 opponents en route to a title victory over Alex Bunema in October.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Two southpaw champions will face off at Boardwalk Hall on Saturday as Paul "The Punisher" Williams (37-1, 27 KOs) will battle Sergio "Maravilla" Martinez (44-1-2, 24 KOs) in a 12-round middleweight bout. Williams was originally scheduled to fight WBC/WBO Middleweight Champion Kelly Pavlik. However, Pavlik pulled out of the fight, opening the door for Sergio Martinez. "I salute Sergio Martinez for carrying himself like the champion he is to get in the ring with me and enable me to keep the Dec. 5 date so I can show my fans in Atlantic City what 'The Punisher' is all about up close and personal," Williams says. "Unfortunately for Martinez, he is going to absorb the punishment I planned for Pavlik." Martinez doesn't appear to be intimidated by the tough talk. "This is the challenge I've been struggling to get. Now it's up to me to show the world what I have," he says. "I know I can beat Williams and believe me, I'll be ready to do just that."
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $50, $100, $200 and $300, and the fights begin 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Boardwalk Hall.
Blood, Sweat & Tears at Bally's
WHO ARE THEY: Blood, Sweat & Tears formed in the late 1960s and was designed to fuse elements of jazz with rock and a touch of psychedlia. The band's 1968 debut album "Child is Father to the Man," was an ambitious and critically well-received affair that contained everything except a hit single. The band took care of that with its follow up self-titled release which featured the hit songs "You've Made Me so Very Happy," "Spinning Wheel," "More and More" and "When I Die." "Blood, Sweat & Tears" sold more than 3 million copies and won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Various lineup changes and poor career choices knocked Blood, Sweat & Tears from its pedestal and eventually the band was dropped by its record label.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Blood, Sweat & Tears remains a successful touring entity despite constant lineup changes, that have made it basically a faceless unit and its journey down the mainstream path, which left critics bitter and longing for what might have been. The band has maintained a high level of musicianship over the course of its 41-year history.
WHAT'S NEW: In 2008 founding Blood, Sweat & Tears guitarist Steve Katz began joining the band for select dates.
SHOW INFO: Tickets are $40 and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, in the main ballroom, Bally's Atlantic City.
