The Scintas

The Scintas were a music and comedy variety group.^[1]

The group began in 1977 as The Scinta Brothers, consisting of Frankie and Joey Scinta, brothers from Buffalo, New York.^[2][3] They got a job performing at the chain of Playboy Clubs, including a stint at the Playboy Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City in 1981.^[4][5] Their younger sister, Chrissi Scinta, joined later.^[6] Drummer Pete O'Donnell was added to the group around 1987.^[7] In the late 1980s, after Frankie overcame a cocaine addiction, the Scintas became prominent supporters of the "Just Say No" anti-drug campaign.^[8][9]

The group toured throughout the eastern United States for many years.^[3] They were particularly popular in Akron, Ohio, where they performed regularly at the Tangier cabaret.^[4][10]

In 2000, the Scintas moved to Las Vegas and began performing at casinos, with resident shows at the Las Vegas Hilton, Rio, Sahara, The D, and Plaza casinos through the years.^[2][11][12]

Chrissi retired from the group in 2013 because of throat hemorrhaging.^[6][13] She was replaced first by Ashlee Amoia and later by Janien Valentine.^[14] Joey Scinta died in 2017, and the group continued on without him.^[11] A year later, Frankie transitioned to performing under his own name, rather than as The Scintas, though O'Donnell continued to play a major part in the show.^[11][15]

References

1. Bob Talbert (August 1, 1996). "National mags add a touch of Michigan". Detroit Free Press – via Newspapers.com.
2. John Katsilometes (November 17, 2017). "Las Vegas entertainer Joey Scinta dies at 69". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2018-09-25.
3. Dan Herbeck (June 25, 2002). "Hitting the jackpot". Buffalo News – via NewsBank.
4. Mike Weatherford (May 12, 2000). "Family recipe". Las Vegas Review-Journal – via NewsBank.
5. John Corr (April 17, 1981). "Hef's newest hutch hits the Boardwalk". Philadelphia Inquirer.
6. Robert J. McCarthy; T.J. Pignataro (November 19, 2017). "Joey Scinta, West Side native and part of famed Las Vegas act, dies at 69". The Buffalo News. Retrieved 2018-09-25.
7. Connie Bloom (February 24, 2000). "Scintas get a full house". Akron Beacon Journal – via NewsBank.
8. "Scinta says no". Akron Beacon Journal. November 22, 1987 – via Newspapers.com.
9. Norm Clarke (March 12, 2016). "Nancy Reagan's war on drugs was personal for Frankie Scinta". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2018-09-25.
10. Mark Faris (January 30, 1986). "Buffalo-based Scintas are buffaloed in Akron". Akron Beacon Journal – via NewsBank.
11. Mitch Hotts (June 6, 2018). "Hotts Spots: Show must go on for Scintas despite losses". Macomb Daily. Retrieved 2018-09-25.
12. F. Andrew Taylor (March 10, 2016). "Scintas family show brings back Vegas charm". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2018-09-25.
13. Robin Leach (April 25, 2013). "The Scintas miss their sister Chrissi — but find love with Janien Valentine". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2018-09-25.
14. Kerry Clawson (July 25, 2013). "The Scintas to bring a bit of Vegas to Akron". Akron Beacon Journal – via Newspapers.com. (Part 2 of article)
15. Brock Radke (October 15, 2018). "Frankie Scinta gets comfortable at the South Point Showroom". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2018-10-17.