The Hook | Spiegelworld at Caesars Atlantic City, 2023–Present
Atlantic City’s first-ever permanent entertainment residency brings Spiegelworld’s signature boundary-pushing spectacle to the historic Warner Theatre—dubbed the “Wonder Theatre of the World” when it opened in 1929. The Hook is a daring, high-octane homage to the Boardwalk’s golden age, reimagined for contemporary audiences with jaw-dropping acrobatics, unfiltered comedy, and unpredictable variety acts that change nightly.
This adults-only (18+) experience combines the thrill of world-class circus arts with irreverent humor in an intimate 414-seat venue. Over 75 non-stop minutes, a rotating cast of international acrobats, comedians, and specialty performers deliver what Forbes called “a riptide of acrobatics, irreverent comedy, and did-that-just-happen moments.”
Costume Design Vision
takis’ costume design for The Hook creates a fantastical visual world where oceanic creatures and aerial artists collide. From ethereal performers adorned in feathered silks suspended on aerial lyras, to surreal aquatic characters featuring metallic fish-scale textures and dramatic spiky protrusions, the costumes transform the human form into otherworldly spectacle. Each design supports extreme physical demands—aerial silks, trapeze work, and acrobatic feats—while maintaining the show’s bold theatrical aesthetic. The costumes balance functional athleticism with striking visual impact, enhanced by dramatic blue, purple, and turquoise lighting that bathes performers in an underwater dreamscape.
The design approach reflects the show’s rotating-cast format, creating versatile character archetypes that can accommodate different performers while maintaining visual coherence across the ever-changing lineup.
Creative Team
- Director: Cal McCrystal (Tony Award-winning One Man, Two Guvnors, Paddington films, Spiegelworld’s Atomic Saloon Show)
- Costume Designer: takis
- Set Designers: Christine Jones and Brett J. Banakis
- Producers: Spiegelworld
Production Context
The Hook represents Caesars Entertainment’s $400 million investment in Atlantic City’s entertainment renaissance. The production follows Spiegelworld’s established Las Vegas success with shows like Absinthe and Atomic Saloon Show, bringing that provocative, immersive theatrical experience to the East Coast. The show plays Wednesday through Sunday with multiple performances on weekends, designed to be experienced multiple times as acts rotate and the show evolves.
Part of Spiegelworld’s broader Atlantic City takeover, The Hook shares its Warner Theatre home with the East Coast outpost of Superfrico restaurant, creating a complete evening destination within Caesars’ entertainment complex.