I have a few personal connections to Resorts Casino Hotel.
The first is my late friend Lorraine. She was at Resorts for the first roll of the dice in 1978. She was about as Italian as you could be. She was the kind of nonna that pronounced cannoli with a “G.” She was an avid gambler and poker player. I would often ride with her in her big ol’ Lincoln to Atlantic City, and she only stayed at Resorts.
I took my life in my hands to take these trips. The only thing she loved more than her Double Joker Poker machine near the Boardwalk entrance was smoking. She would take a drag of her cigarette, then a puff of her oxygen all while simultaneously speeding down the expressway with either one hand — or no hands here and there — on the wheel.
I survived, met her host, enjoyed full RFB (room, food and beverage) trips and fell in love with Atlantic City so much that I ended up moving here a couple of years after she died of emphysema.
Fast forward to me competing and winning a 12-week talent contest at the now-defunct nightclub Prohibition Bar. That win entitled me to my own show for two nights called Michelle Tomko – I Won Nothing. The title is a misnomer because it was in that nightclub that I met my wife. I definitely won.
Last year, I got to produce another show inside The Screening Room for the very first North to Shore Festival.
Incidentally, when my father-in-law retired from Resorts during the pandemic after being there since 1978, he was seniority No. 3. Needless to say, Resorts will always be one of my favorite casinos on the Boardwalk.
And you shouldn’t sleep on it either. With its classic architecture, old Atlantic City feel, and classic showrooms that welcomed the biggest stars over the years, it’s worth a visit. Even if you just go to take in the celebrity handprints that adorn the front of the Superstar Theater. Tony Orlando is even going to be there in a couple of weeks.
There of course are many modern aspects of this place. All the latest slot machines, a lobby bar that changes themes for every major holiday, and a Margaritaville. It even has a food court that is great. Not every casino has a place for a quick, shopping mall-esque pit stop sans commitment to a table cloth, room service or long waits. The Soup Man is there, but if you want a pro tip, hit up Bubbakoos Burritos instead for big tastes and big portions. There’s the usual suspects of fine dining too of course. Definitely hit Dougherty’s for happy hour.
But for me, it’s the old school charm. I like seeing headliners in the Superstar Theater, but there are also smaller rooms on the 13th floor in the 300-seat Screening Room. It has great acoustics and theater seating. You can catch comedy from A.C. Jokes and other productions regularly.
Last week I took in A Very Brady Murder: A Murdery Parody in the Starlight room. It’s an intimate ballroom with a stage at either end. This particular production is one of many from the Without A Cue improvisation company.
This sold-out show is quirky, fun and has a limited run through March 23. Between some of the actors spot-on performances of everyone’s favorite blended family, to the opportunity for priceless selfies, you get your $35 worth.
While all the actors were good, the standout is definitely Jan. She has everything down pat from the ribbon in her hair to her upper torso rocking back and forth as she walks.
The actors seldom use the stage and instead weave in and out of the banquet tables with the occasional Brady dropping dead. All the while audience members listen and look for clues. At the end, each guest gets to take a stab at guessing who did it. Winning guesses are put in a random drawing. The night I was there, a woman won and was presented with a souvenir coffee mug.
Spoiler alert! One thing that perplexed me about the show was there were only six actors playing the nine roles. Aside from a few sight gags that got old, this convention didn’t move the story along, certainly ruined the opening theme song (the top row was empty) and left me wondering why.
It’s definitely not Shakespeare, but if you are on a budget and want to see a show, or you have a Gen X birthday to celebrate, catch this immersive experience before it’s gone.
Look for other productions like this coming down the pike from this residency including one based on The Office and another one nodding to Sex and the City. There’s next to no theater being produced within city limits. I for one am glad these venues have Resorts to house them.
Hats off to Resorts for keeping historic Atlantic City alive, giving local talent a place to perform and providing a diverse menu of everchanging things to do.
