BWW Reviews: THE SCINTAS - Back At Home in Las Vegas

The Scintas - a Las Vegas staple for the first decade of this century - have happily found a new home at The D in downtown Las Vegas.

When they came to Las Vegas from Buffalo, brothers Frank and Joe Scinta, along with their sister Chrissi and friend and stage cohort Pete O'Donnell, were an immediate hit. Their blend of major musical talent, comedy and impressions greatly pleased audiences. Then, with the collapse of the economy, they began more and more to play other places. A couple of years ago, Chrissi Scinta began having some medical issues with her vocal cords and, ultimately, couldn't continue to perform. Her place has been taken by singer Janien Valentine, also a Buffalo native.

Along with O'Donnell on drums, the terrific musicians are James D'Arrigo sax, flute, clarinet, washboard and backing vocals; Peter Bresciani Trumpet, flugelhorn, and backing vocals; Michael Evans trombone and backing vocals; Mariano Longo, musical director, arrangements, keyboard and piano and Tom Marth guitar and bass and vocals.

During the course of the evening - courtesy of the Scinta brothers - we get to meet, among others, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Neil Diamond, Joe Cocker, Ray Charles Kermit the Frog and, not incidentally, the Scintas themselves. We learn about their childhood at 1050 West Avenue in Buffalo, about their firefighter father and meet their mom Mary, who is in the audience.

Friankie and Joe are, as they always have been, very gifted entertainers. They keep the audience laughing and, when appropriate, can move the audience to tears.

The performers have begun a residency at the The D, a renovated and attractive hotel on Fremont Street, a cornerstone of the once-again thriving downtown Las Vegas. The room can accommodate an audience of up to 250 people, so it's an intimate and friendly experience.

Singer Janien Valentine has really good voice that, unfortunately, gets lost sometimes with a sound system that needs to be adjusted. She's very talented but does not seem fully integrated into the show. It's as if her singing gives the guys an opportunity to rest. Of course, that family connection they had with sister Chrissi is lacking, but Valentine is very pretty and, as noted, has a very good voice so, if Chrissi had to be replaced, she was a good choice.

The Scintas have long been a very popular Vegas act with many repeat audience members. They deserve their popularity. Their show is great fun and, in Las Vegas, that's often the point.
Tickets range from $43.95 to $99.95, including taxes. Shows are Wednesday through Sunday with some days dark to enable them to travel to other venues outside the city. For information, please check http://tickets.thed.com/eventperformancesperday.asp?MV=5/24/2013&evt=8&c=2