CasiNotes: In A.C., Jerry was a star before 'Seinfeld'

JERRY SEINFELD has been an A-list Atlantic City attraction for more than a decade. Once his watershed 1990s sitcom, "Seinfeld," became a pop-culture phenomenon, he was at the top of every casino's wish list.

And, since the series ended, he has regularly picked up six-figure paychecks at Resorts Atlantic City and the Atlantic City Hilton (including an unprecedented both-casinos-in-one-night stand a couple of years ago) and Caesars Atlantic City, where he'll return tomorrow for two shows.

But before most of the solar system had ever heard of the stand-up comic from Long Island, N.Y. (and before he commanded astronomical fees), he was no stranger to AyCee audiences, specifically those at the now-demolished Sands Hotel & Casino.

Starting in the mid-'80s, Seinfeld would regularly open shows for musical acts like the 5th Dimension and Four Tops.

"I would always be happy to have Jerry open [a show]," said Tom Cantone, who, back in the day, was in charge of the Sands' entertainment operation. "He was always funny, always available."

According to Cantone, vice president of sports and entertainment at Connecticut's Mohegan Sun casino, Seinfeld was also dependable - a coveted show business trait.

"You knew he would always connect with the audience," Cantone remembered. "What we all saw was someone who was consistently clean and whose observational humor always resonated with [the audience].

"He always delivered. We all saw the future back then - it was consistent with what he is today."

When "Seinfeld" became the nation's top-rated TV show, its star stayed away from Atlantic City (and stand-up in general) for a number of years. He returned to play Caesars in the late '90s and went on to sign a multi-year deal with Colony Capital LLC, the company that owns Resorts and the Hilton.

His return to Caesars was tied into the multi-year deal he has with the property's corporate sibling, Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

Actually, Seinfeld's first post-TV gaming-hall gig turned out to be a thank you to Cantone, who at the time was vice president of entertainment at Connecticut's Foxwoods casino.

"I was in New York for a function, and I saw Jerry and said, 'You should come up to Foxwoods,' " Cantone said. Recalling the casino exec's support early in his career, Seinfeld accepted the offer as a way to express his gratitude.

"You don't get too many thank-yous like that, especially from the biggest stars," Cantone noted. "It made me very happy and very proud."

Caesars Atlantic City, Boardwalk at Arkansas Avenue, 7:30 and 10 p.m., $150, $135, $125 and $100, 1-800-736-1420, www.ticketmaster.com.

There's no debating the greatest Frank Sinatra tribute on the boards today is, not surprisingly, the one performed by Frank Sinatra Jr. But Steve Lippia is certainly no slouch when it comes to paying homage to the legendary crooner.

Lippia has earned wide acclaim for how accurately he approximates Ol' Blue Eyes' dulcet tones while performing the songs of such American Songbook composers as George Gershwin, Cole Porter and Sammy Cahn.

But why take our word for it? He's coming to the Atlantic City Hilton for a five-night run that commences Sunday. If you're a fan of Sinatra and/or the classic pop music that was his stock-in-trade, the trip to the Hilton will not be in vain.

Atlantic City Hilton, Boardwalk at Boston Avenue, 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 609-347-7111, hiltonac.com.

The 25th annual Ron Jaworski Celebrity Golf Challenge will take place May 16-18 at Harrah's Resorts Atlantic City and its Atlantic City Country Club.

Run and hosted by the former Eagles quarterback and current "Monday Night Football" analyst, the Golf Challenge will include a Saturday night Poker Open as well as Sunday's main event on the links. The entire event is a fund-raiser for United Way Charities.

Among the gridiron figures already announced to participate are former NFL head coaches Bill Cowher (Steelers) and Mike Ditka (Bears), former quarterbacks Jim Kelly (Bills), Joe Theismann (Redskins) and Rich Gannon (Vikings, Chiefs, etc.). Also set is current Ravens' QB (and South Jersey native) Joe Flacco.

While you'll have to pony up big time to play cards and/or golf with these and other celebs, you can watch the action both days for $15 a pop.

For more information and a full schedule of events, call 1-888-505-7070, or go to www.jawsyouthfund.com. *

Chuck Darrow has covered Atlantic City and the casino industry for more than 20 years. Read his blog at

http://go.philly.com/casinotes. E-mail him at darrowc@phillynews.com. And listen to his Atlantic City report Saturdays at 1:25 a.m. with Steve Trevelise on WIP (610-AM).