A slice of ‘American Pie,’ feast of stars at casinos

Guitar gods Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, legendary singer-composer Smokey Robinson and “American Pie” creator Don McLean are among artists in an impressive spring talent roster at the region’s casino showrooms.

Also set to perform in a surprisingly star-studded and artistically diverse season are comedy-magic titans Penn & Teller, Jersey-born hit maker Charlie Puth, early-’80s pop disruptors DEVO and former late-night TV rivals Jay Leno and Arsenio Hall.

Following in chronological order are some of the more highlights:

Jay Leno/Aresenio Hall (March 27, Caesars Atlantic City)

In the early-1990s, Leno and Hall were fierce competitors on late-night TV. The rivalry was so heated, Hall once boasted publicly he was “gonna kick Jay’s a–” in the ratings wars. That’s obviously water under the bridge as the two team for a night of standup comedy.

Smokey Robinson (March 28, Ocean Casino Resort)

Anytime the 86-year-old (not a misprint) pop icon comes to Atlantic City is cause for celebration. Few songwriters have contributed to popular culture as much as Robinson, whose catalog includes “My Girl,” “You Better Shop Around,” “Just My Imagination” and “Tears of A Clown.” While we can’t speak to his current physical condition, Robinson was in fine form at his spectacular Hard Rock show last March.

Dierks Bently (April 3, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City)

Unlike many of his contemporaries, Nashville stalwart Bently has stayed rooted in country’s acoustic/bluegrass origins. But he isn’t afraid to dive into the ’80s’ arena rock favored by so many of his fellow country stars these days.

Tower of Power & War (April 3, Tropicana)

Tower of Power helped pioneer funk music in the 1970s, but War is the real draw here. The funk-pop band’s ’70s’ catalog of smash hits stands alongside that of the era’s other hit makers. They include “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” “Summertime,” “The Cisco Kid,” “Low Rider” and “Spill the Wine.”

’80s Live’ (April 12-June 28, Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City)

The bayside pleasure dome jumps into the production-show pool with this once-weeklyrevue that focuses on the era when MTV set the pop-music agenda. Expect the set list to include music from the likes of Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston.

Paul Anka (April 18, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa)

The Canadian-born singer-songwriter is responsible for an astonishing array of music, from 1950s’ teen-idol hits like “Puppy Love” and “Diana” to the theme of “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson and Frank Sinatra’s signature, “My Way.” Still going strong at 84, Anka puts on a show that everyone should experience at least once.

Melissa Etheridge (April 18, Parx)

The 1990s singer-songwriter A-lister and current Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominee has been garnering strong reviews for performances that emphasize the blues-rock underpinnings of her sound.

Jerry Seinfeld (April 25, Borgata)

Seinfeld may no longer be the comedic gold standard he was 30 years ago – and many of his contemporary routines come off as just so much kvetching – but the guy who changed television comedy forever is still an absolute master of the standup form.

“Hasan Hates Ronny/Ronny Hates Hasan: A Debate to the Death” (May 1, Hard Rock)

If you’re looking for a mellow, soothing and uplifting night out, this probably isn’t for you. According to the show’s promotional material, comedians Hasan Minhaj and Ronny Chieng debate current events. “If hate is your love language,” it notes, “don’t miss out.”

Sooshi Mango (May 1, Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia)

Sooshi Mango is the collective name of a sketch-comedy trio from Down Under that has found global online fame through videos that affectionately poke fun at Australian-Italian culture.

Leonid & Friends (May 7, Tropicana Atlantic City)

Bands that pay tribute to the music of jazz-rock titans Chicago may not be uncommon, but it’s unlikely any of them hail from the duo’s home base in Moscow.

Penn & Teller (May 14 and 15, Hard Rock)

I could write tomes about the magic duo whose act is more than 50 years old and remains one of a kind, but I’ll leave it at this: Penn & Teller are my absolute favorites in a half-century as an entertainment writer. There has simply never been anything like them. Go see the show, especially if you’ve never attended one of their performances.

SatchVai Band Ft. Joe Satriani & Steve Vai (May 29, Borgata)

Satriani and Vai are universally recognized as two of rock’s greatest guitarists. That they are sharing a bill is a real treat for devotees of six-string artistry at its highest level.

Don McLean (May 29, Caesars)

McLean only had one mega hit, but what a mega hit it was. His epic 1971 release,  “American Pie,” was nothing less than the Baby Boomer generation’s version of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and 55 years later, it remains one of the most revered tracks in pop history.

Charlie Puth (May 30, Hard Rock)

The 34-year-old Rumson is from Monmouth County and launched his career with self-produced videos he posted on YouTube. The singer-songwriter is now an international sensation who’s collaborated with a wide array of stars, from Wiz Khalifa and Justin Bieber to Elton John and James Taylor.

DEVO (June 12, Borgata)

These ’80s’ adventurers combined performance-art attitude, avant-garde electronic music, irresistible hooks, still quirky and futuristic visuals and a world view that claims humans have been devolving for centuries. They’ve somehow managed to be a wildly entertaining, mainstream attraction.