by Norm Johnson Send Me E-mail

Took in the long awaited media (and assorted VIPs) opening for The Scintas at the Sahara Hotel the other evening. And, as always with the Scintas, we didn't go home disappointed. As a matter of record, this writer has never left a Scintas show not feeling better than I did when entering the room, be it the lounge showroom at the Hilton (where they started their Las Vegas run towards the Strip) or the Rio showroom. They know how to build a show and producer David Saxe (he of the "V" Theatre inside Aladdin's Desert Passage) knows what to do off stage... promote. It's a perfect teaming of outstanding talent.

Now to the show itself. My only complaint is that the stage, designed originally for a magic show, is too monstrous for any act and needs to be trimmed down a wee bit. Frankie Scinta agreed and said that was being addressed. The opening number is "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." That sets the show in the right direction - Upward, which then leads the group into "Let's Get Started" followed by "Dance to the Music." After a few greeting words from Frankie and brother, Joe, Frankie does his standard "spoon" performance (Joe always pretends he thinks it's not needed), followed by his banjo expertise. Sister Chrissi takes center stage and with a voice created by the Man above sings a beautiful "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." Joe and Frankie do a few spoofs, fool around with a couple of songs and conclude this part of the show with Joe doing a great impression of Mick Jagger with "Get Off Of My Cloud" and "Start Me Up."

Both Joe and Frankie and of course the adopted brother on drums, Pete O'Donnell, keep the show moving with various impromptu jokes and impressions, which leads them into their tribute section of the show. The tributes, where all four perform, includes The Beatles with Chrissi doing a fabulous rendition of "My Life," followed by Frankie as Stevie Wonder. There are tributes to Louie Armstrong, Johnny Mathis, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.

Chrissi returns to the stage, dressed to the nines in a beautiful gown, and performs "Can't Live Without You" followed by Journey's "Separate Ways." One of the highlights has always been Frankie and the Grand Piano, where he pays tribute to his father Joe "Bucko" Scinta, a Buffalo, New York firefighter. Sitting in the audience (she rarely misses a performance), was Mary "Mama" Scinta," who loves it when her baby boy (Frankie) plays "Piano Man" and the theme songs from "The Godfather" and "Love Story." This almost always brings on a well deserved standing ovation. Joey gets his standing ovation too, when he does "Skeeter on my Peter." The show is nearing the end of a great 80 plus minutes. Frankie, as Ray Charles, does a rousing "America the Beautiful" with the family closing out with "I've Had The Time of my Life" from Dirty Dancing.

Another thing you should know about the show, it's always changing. So, if you saw them six months ago, you need to see them again. Tickets are priced from $32.00 plus tax and reservations can be made by calling the Sahara Box Office at (702) 737-2515.

Monday night, I decided to take a drive out to The Bootlegger on Las Vegas Blvd, South to visit, once again, with Kelly Clinton and her Celebrity Karaoke Night. As usual the show she puts forth is one you'll not find anywhere else. Kelly opens the show with a great impression of "Elvis" (she has portrayed him on stage - costume and all - and is a dead ringer for the young Elvis). Carmine, who does a show every Saturday called "Shades of Sinatra" at Capozzoli's Restaurant on Maryland Parkway, did his thing. Rita of the Marvelettes sang a fantastic "Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me," who was followed by Renee Dawn and "Make it With You." The most outstanding performance of the night (from a non-professional stand point) was turned in by Erika, a 17-year-old student at Sierra Vista High School. This young lady has all the poise and charisma of a professional singer. I can see her going very quickly up the ladder to stardom. Howie Gold, entertainment manager for the Golden Nugget and his boss, Joe Leone, also proved they could sing. Sitting in the audience and applauding for every act was Clint Holmes, who really supports these special evenings.

Kelly, who has been introducing every act and cracking jokes along the way (she's great as a stand-up) then got Rita to join her along with Bobby Black (he of the Four Tenors) and Skye from the Hilton show "Menopause The Musical" in an outstanding rendition of "Midnight Train to Georgia," one of this writers personal favorites. By this time we (Nancy and I) were ready to call it a night. Then Kelly introduced Gary Marshal so we stayed for him and then left. It was another wonderful night of entertainment. You can take it in any Monday evening. The show starts at about 10 p.m., but I would strongly urge you to get there early as it fills up pretty quick.

THIS AND THAT QUICKLY: A couple of sad notes to pass on if you didn't read about them or hear about it already Howard Benway, (64) who was best known as "Little Lil" and who worked with Kenny Kerr in "Boy-lesque" for a number of years, passed away on June 29 following a long illness...

Bill Miller, pianist-accompanist for Frank Sinatra from 1951 to Sinatra's final performance in 1995, passed away unexpectedly while on tour with Frank Sinatra, Jr., in Montreal at the age of 91...

Bill Fanning, a onetime cast member of "Bottoms Up", is in a Veterans Home in Spokane, Washington, and is not doing too well. He would love to hear from his many friends. You can write to him at Spokane Veterans Home, 222 E. 5th Avenue, Spokane, Wa. 99202...

Speaking of Kerr, the longtime Las Vegas entertainer will be presenting a new, surprising weekend show at the newly opened Suede Nightclub on Paradise Road every Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m...

Genevieve, one of this writers' personal favorites, will be singing August 4 & 5 in the Firenze Lounge at the Ritz Carlton, Lake Las Vegas from 8 pm...

Jon Lovitz, who is at The Orleans Showroom this weekend will do an Open Conversation at the Suncoast Showroom Sunday (July 30) from 1:30 to 3 p.m. and admission is free...

Well, gang, that's about it for this week.

I'm outa here!

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