By their very nature, casino revue shows are, regardless of the theme, mostly about glitz and glamour with young, nubile dancers packaged in inches of gold lame.

So when the Claridge Casino Hotel sent out press releases for its new revue "Shaboom," featuring the music of the 1950s, we expected the usual fast-paced show that passes for entertainment in this town.

But in the case of "Shaboom," audiences will be pleasantly surprised to learn that less can be more, much more.

This hour-plus variety show is actually fun. It features music, comedy, magic and audience participation, yet it's obvious the producers did not spend the big bucks on eye-popping costumes or elaborate scenery.

There's not one half-naked dancer in this show, and she doesn't seem to be missed. How else would you explain the behavior of the opening night audiences, some of whom openly sang along with the songs while others were observed holding hands?

Local Producers

"Shaboom's" simplicity adds to its charm and helps audiences feel they've stepped back into the 1950s, when music was as danceable as it was sincere.

"Shaboom" is produced by Left Field Unlimited, a trio of local entertainment consultants -- Andrea Kauffman, Dan Mulhern and Dambra Sabato -- who somehow managed to persuade the Claridge to run their show.

(Keep in mind that the simple act of saying yes to "Shaboom" may be a first for an Atlantic City Casino, where revue shows are customarily put together by out-of-town professionals.)

At least two Left Field Unlimited members are former musicians who graduated from playing on the casino lounge circuit to booking them, before most of Atlantic City's casino lounges went the way of the dinosaur.

They've also coordinated other entertainment-related events in town, such as theatrical presentations at high roller parties. They seem to know any musician who's anybody in these parts, and that certainly helps.

Live Music And Magic

Perhaps that's why they built "Shaboom" around a format of live music, another rarity in town these days. It's performed by longtime Atlantic City singer Dane Anthony and The Sons of Thunder.

They've also brought in such experienced performers as Lee Allen, a comic who acts as a sort of MC for the evening, and Dameon, a crackerjack magician/pantomimist.

The work of Anthony, Allen and Dameon melds together, with all appearing together on stage at certain parts. For instance, Anthony and Allen open the show by bantering back and forth over cultural icons from the '50s; Dameon doesn't speak at all. (He will, however, provide the audience with one important word alter in the evening.)

The show opens with a three-song set by Anthony, a Philadelphia native who began his career at the age of 3 on Tony Grant's "Stars of Tomorrow" on the old Steel Pier.

From the rollicking "Great Ball so Fire" to the upbeat "personality," Anthony actually looks like he's having a good time. Later it's the audiences turn to have fun by shouting out nonsensical words to well-known songs from the '50s.

Anthony not only belts out rock n' roll (he has an Elvis set), he also sings old chestnuts like "My Prayer," and does it much better than the guy who sat behind this reviewer.

Interaction with audience

Comic Lee Allen is up next. Allen, a Reading, Pa native, has played everywhere from cruise ships to performances before royalty, and has the confidence that proves it. He tells jokes sprinkled with G-rated sexual innuendo and has great success with anything involving the audience, the funniest part of the evening. Allen doesn't seem to mind when unpredictable audience members get the best of him.

The variety show is rounded out with Dameon, a New Jersey native, who's impressive magic act and pantomime skills add a touch of the offbeat to the evening. Dameon approaches his work with the intensity of an artist and, after seeing a few of his tricks, you realize he is one.

All told, no one in the audience seemed to miss the smoke, mirrors or flashing lights of fancier casino shows. Costume changes in "Shaboom" involved sport coats, not layers of body stockings, and not one half-naked picture-perfect dancer flexed his or her charms on stage.

And "Shaboom" was satisfying. It didn't pretend to be anything more than it was. And that's why it may be the best place in town to spend your entertainment dollars.

The Sons of Thunder include Chris Reynolds on guitar; Steve Ciotta on saxophone; Bob Coulon on keyboards and Bob Kimmel on drums.

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