It’s shaping up to be a pretty interesting spring in the theaters and arenas of the region’s casinos as the second quarter of 2025 is bringing with it a surprisingly strong and interesting headliner schedule.
The talent roster has something for everyone that not only includes a heaping helping of musical heavyweights covering a variety of genres, but some offbeat bookings as well. The former includes classic-rock titans Alice Cooper, Heart and Peter Frampton (and another giant of the form, Todd Rundgren, paying tribute to legendary pop composer Burt Bacharach), revered hip-hoppers Cypress Hill and country heavy-hitters the Zac Brown Band and Kelly Clarkson.
On the comedy front, standup supernova Jerry Seinfeld heads a lineup that also features actor-comic Chris Tucker and internet sensation Ginger Billy. But what makes the season’s bookings especially interesting are a couple wild-card dates, including an evening with a bestselling author and a tribute to, of all people, TV shrink Dr. Phil.
Here is a look at some of the more noteworthy shows set for the next three months:
“What the World Needs Now: Burt Bacharach Songbook Live In Concert” (April 5, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa)
While Rundgren is generally considered to be firmly in the rock & roll camp, he actually isn’t such a left-field choice to head up a program dedicated to Bacharach, the late composer of such pop standards as “Do You Know the Way to San Jose,” “The Look of Love,” and, of course, “What the World Needs Now.” Like Bacharach, Rundgren is also the creator of sophisticated, shimmering pop tunes like “Hello It’s Me” and “Can We Still Be Friends,” so this date should be something special.
Ginger Billy (April 5, Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City)
The one-time respiratory therapist from rural South Carolina (real name Adam Parkins) has forged a gold-plated career with his unique blend of comedy and music deep fried in a “redneck” perspective that makes Jeff Foxworthy look like Sebastian Maniscalco.
Peter Frampton (April 5, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City)
Fifty years ago, Frampton was the world’s biggest and most unexpected rock star, thanks to the unprecedented success of his “Frampton Comes Alive” concert album. Now, he’s on a farewell tour, a situation occasioned by a condition called inclusion body myositis, a progressive muscle disease that causes atrophy.
“Cosmos with Candace Bushnell” (Parx, April 6)
Bushnell is the one-time New York columnist/author whose mid-’90s column, “Sex And the City” was the basis for the epochal HBO series of the same name. At Parx, she’ll be telling tales of her career and taking questions from audience members.
Jerry Seinfeld (April 11, Borgata)
Amazingly, Seinfeld has been playing Atlantic City for almost 40 years; he debuted at the long-gone Sands Hotel & Casino in the late 1980s. Back then, he was an up-and-coming standup comic; today, at age 70, he’s a pop culture immortal whom any fan of the form should see at least once in their life.
“A Bronx Tale” (April 11, Ocean Casino Resort)
It’s always a cause for celebration when actor Chazz Palminteri brings his astounding one-man tour de force to the area. Palminteri portrays 18 characters – including women – as he relates the true story of his 1960s childhood and adolescence as the protégé of a Mafia chieftain.
Bonnie Raitt (April 19, Borgata)
For some five decades, the guitar-slinging singer-songwriter has been a force, thanks to a sonic recipe that combines blues, rock and pop. That she is generally not a “casino act” makes this date all the more noteworthy.
Bongwalk Empire with Cypress Hill (April 19, Hard Rock)
Truly one of the O.G.s of hip-hop, the Los Angeles-born Cypress Hill has been at it since 1988. Along the way, the unit has sold some 20 million albums and influenced countless rappers.
Zac Brown Band (April 25 and 26, Hard Rock)
During the past two-plus decades, the Atlanta-based Brown and his eight-piece backing group have established themselves as one of country music’s monster acts, as in 13 number-one singles on the Billboard country charts. That the band is booked for two shows at the 7,000-seat Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena is testament to its incredible popularity.
Kelly Clarkson (May 9 and 10, Hard Rock)
The country-warbling, one-time “American Idol” champ and current queen of daytime TV is the other twin-bill attraction at Hard Rock.
‘’80s Rock Tour (May 16, Ocean)
What is commonly known as 1980s “arena rock” will be celebrated by the lead singers of three of the sub-genre’s most popular bands: Lou Gramm, Foreigner’s original front man; Steve Augeri (Journey); and John Payne (Asia).
Chris Tucker (May 16, Tropicana Atlantic City)
Before he became a film superstar with the “Rush Hour” series, Tucker was a standup comic. And while he has struck Hollywood gold, he’s obviously still a standup comic at heart. Expect a brew of observational comedy, adult-leaning material and some pretty spot-on impersonations – speaking and singing – during his time on the Trop’s stage.
Alice Cooper (May 24, Ocean)
Cooper’s groundbreaking mix of slashing, high-decibel and hook-laden rock and over-the-top theatrics remains among the most fun one can have in public. At age 77, “Auntie Alice” is a national treasure who should be seen by rock fans of all ages.
Heart (May 31, Hard Rock)
This is an especially noteworthy booking because as recently as a year ago, few imagined the 50-year-old rock band out of Seattle would ever perform again. That’s because lead singer and group co-founder (with her guitar-wizard sister Nancy) Ann Wilson was battling ovarian cancer. But the siblings are back on the road. Don’t be surprised if Ann takes the stage in a wheelchair, as she did at a recent Los Angeles concert.
Adam Ray is Dr. Phil Live (June 12, Tropicana)
This gets our vote as the most peculiar booking of the season. Ray’s act is a parody of the popular television therapist, who is definitely ripe for satire. If you’re interested – and a subscriber – you can check out his fall 2024 Netflix special, which includes an appearance by the real Dr. Phil.
