VV8.21

Family Inspires Scinta
By: Sam Wagmeister / People & Places
When Frankie Scinta returned to the South
Point stage in late June, the family show
that ruled The Strip for over a decade was down
to a solo act.
Ten years ago, the quartet became a
trio when sister Chrissi developed vocal
cord issues. Three years ago, brother Joey,
master bassist and comic foil, was taken
by a fatal stroke.
Last year, uncertainties surrounding
Las Vegas’ reopening after Covid forced
the band’s 35-year veteran drummer,
Pete O’Donnell, to accept a job in Florida.
Gone too, was Frankie’s favorite fan,
Mary, known to audiences as Mama Scinta, whom he lost 19 months
ago.
Each time, Frankie found the strength to reach inside himself to
fulfill what’s become a lifelong commitment to his audiences.
The night Joey died, Frankie performed before a sold out audience. He
lovingly paid homage to his brother’s spirit that night, stepping to the
back of the stage to retrieve Joey’s bass guitar for one last song for the
audience. “God told me, ‘You gotta go out there. It’s your time.’”
Every time Scinta had been dealt a bad hand, he’s rolled with the
punches. “God has put this in my lap. I didn’t want to be alone. My
family left me.”
When the pandemic struck, Frankie asked, “How are we going to get
through this as a family?” The Scintas rallied.
Frankie, wife Jackie, their kids and
grandkids gathered each night for
dinner, “10-12 at the dinner table each
night,” he says. “We all got Covid, but we
all got through it together. My wife, kids
and family, they carried me through.”
They worked to convert granddaughter
Vivienne’s loft playroom at Frankie’s
house into a makeshift studio. “It all
started with an I-phone and an amp.”
Sunday night Facebook broadcasts
have become ‘appointment shows’,
attracting up to 15,000-18,000 viewers reminiscent of families gathered
around the TV for Ed Sullivan. Son Frankie Jr handles production and
daughter Danielle Mackin mans social media requests and comments.
“To work with family again has meant so much to me.”
“I can feel the audience through the lens,” he says after the
90-minute show, wiping tears from his eyes, “but there’s nothing like
a live audience.”
“I was put on this earth to perform,” he adds. “The audience means
simply everything to me. I want them to know I’m just like them.”
By: Dianne Davis / That’s Entertainment
Normally, I share MY show reviews with you,
but these are not normal times. That’s why
I was so pleased to be at the Smith Center for the
Performing Arts when, after 486 days, they turned
the lights back on.
At a press conference held on the stage of Reynolds Hall last
month, Myron Martin, Smith Center CEO said, “It’s time to celebrate
- intermission is over and The Smith Center’s second act is about to
begin. We invite everyone to take their seats and join us as we reopen
the heart of the arts this fall.”
Then, there was a ceremonial dimming of the ghost light before the
lights went on.
The Smith Center is ready to welcome us back to live quality theater
performances. In addition to Broadway shows, live performances at the
Smith Center beginning in September will include featured headliners
in music and dance across a wide variety of genres.
Members of the press were treated to a preview of An Officer and
a Gentleman, one of the six shows of the 2021-2022 Broadway Las
Vegas Series lineup. This new show will be staged in Las Vegas in late
October, prior to its Broadway premiere.
Broadway shows now on sale at The Smith Center include CATS
8
Tickets On Sale - World Premiere Scheduled
August 2021
(Oct. 12-17), the musical
spectacular by Andrew Lloyd
Webber, AN OFFICER and
a GENTLEMAN (Oct. 26-31)
and A CHRISTMAS CAROL
(Nov. 23-28), The Tony
Award-winning hit comedy
THE PLAY THAT GOES
WRONG returns November
9-14.
In addition, upcoming performances include Broadway icons
including Kristin Chenoweth and Patti Lupone; music legends Paul
Anka and Johnny Mathis; acclaimed jazz performers Wynton Marsalis
and Boney James; internationally renowned dance groups Ballet
Folklorico and Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo; and notable
speakers Neil deGrasse Tyson and Garrison Keillor.
The first live performance is set for September 14, when Vegas
favorite Frankie Moreno takes the stage again at Myron’s Cabaret Jazz.
For more information about The Smith Center for the Performing Arts,
visit www.TheSmithCenter.com.
Dianne Davis is delighted to once again share her opinions of
local performers and shows. She is the lead reporter for SCA-TV
and Associate Editor of lasvegas.splashmags.com.