The popular Atlantic City drag show that brought together the likes of Dolly Parton, Prince, Patti LaBelle, Liza Minelli and Joan Rivers will end its run this month. The last “Divas Do A.C.” at Resorts will be Sept. 27. The drag event staged about five shows a week, but casino officials said the show had run its course. “The decision was certainly not malicious. It was a tough decision to make,” said Resorts director of advertising and public relations Courtney Birmingham. “These are top-notch professionals and great people and it was great to have them on the property. The Divas have brought something so special not only to the property but to Atlantic City. We don’t want to lose that LGBT feel and we hope to find a show that will appeal to the community, but we are looking to do something different.” The show launched as “Divas in a Man’s World” in 2011, but last summer lead performer Steven Andrade was terminated and the show was changed to “Divas Do A.C.” Andrade later filed a lawsuit for copyright infringement. Birmingham said the suit was not related to the show’s cancellation. “We can’t comment on pending litigation, but no, that had no factor in closing our current ‘Divas Do A.C.’ show,” she said. Birmingham said the decision to cancel the show was made to partly bring in more variety and fresh ideas for entertainment. “We’ve been happy to have the show for almost two-and-a-half years but it is time to try and get something new in the Showroom,” she said. “Two-and-a-half years is a long time for a show to run in Atlantic City. The show itself was brought in to match our LGBT efforts, which started the same day as the show, and to reach out to our database and cash customers.” The venue wants to keep the LGBT-friendly feel fostered by “Divas” and other initiatives, Birmingham said, and could bring in a new LGBT-focused show. “Right now, we are exploring a lot of opportunities but we haven’t found anything that has excited us enough to say yes to yet,” she said. “We are definitely looking at all sorts of options — whether it be a drag show or something different.” “Divas Do A.C.” launched about the same time that Resorts opened Pro Bar, the first LGBT casino bar in Atlantic City. Birmingham said the show’s cancellation will not affect Pro Bar, nor does she expect it to adversely impact LGBT tourism. “There is not going to be that steady show four to five nights a week in the immediate future but the Pro Bar is doing a great job and always has something going on there,” she said. “The show itself wasn’t strictly an LGBT show — everybody enjoyed that show because they were great performers. It isn’t going to have a huge impact.” Andrade said he had “mixed emotions” about the show’s cancellation. “ I created, designed, cast, produced, starred in and funded the original ‘Divas’ show — ‘Divas in a Man’s World’ — with my life’s savings,” he said. “Following the death of Resorts’ CEO Dennis Gomes, and before the current management, Mohegan Sun, arrived, Resorts terminated me from my own show, and effectively stole the show from me. This caused severe financial hardship for me and my partner.” He went on to file a federal suit for interim injunctive relief, and was granted most of what he requested. Andrade, who said he is getting back on his feet and this summer had the opportunity to perform for Cher, whom he portrays in shows around the world, is now pursuing claims for damages and breach of contract in arbitration. Andrade added that “Divas” closing should not have a detrimental effect on LGBT tourism. “My show was designed as a way to present the talents of the LGBT community to mainstream heterosexual audiences who rarely, if ever, get to see a show of that genre,” he said. “If I had been producing a show targeted to the LGBT community, I would have made very different casting, design, comedic and music choices. So, in my view, the show’s closing should not have any direct impact on LGBT tourism in A.C.” For more information on “Divas Do A.C.” or to book tickets for the remaining shows, visit www.resortsac.com/divas-do-ac.
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