{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} '''The Scintas''' were a music and comedy variety group.<ref>{{cite news|title=National mags add a touch of Michigan|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|author=Bob Talbert|date=August 1, 1996|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24054085/national_mags_add_a_touch_of_michigan/|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
The group began in 1977 as The Scinta Brothers, consisting of Frankie and Joey Scinta, brothers from Buffalo, New York.<ref name=kats>{{cite news|title=Las Vegas entertainer Joey Scinta dies at 69|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=John Katsilometes|date=November 17, 2017|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/las-vegas-entertainer-joey-scinta-dies-at-69/|accessdate=2018-09-25}}</ref><ref name=herbeck>{{cite news|title=Hitting the jackpot|newspaper=Buffalo News|author=Dan Herbeck|date=June 25, 2002|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F466BDBF21CEF48&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}}</ref> 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.<ref name=weatherford>{{cite news|title=Family recipe|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=Mike Weatherford|date=May 12, 2000|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0FD39375AEBC0869&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Hef's newest hutch hits the Boardwalk|newspaper=Philadelphia Inquirer|author=John Corr|date=April 17, 1981|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0EB292F0C687722F&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899}}</ref> Their younger sister, Chrissi Scinta, joined later.<ref name=mccarthy>{{cite news|title=Joey Scinta, West Side native and part of famed Las Vegas act, dies at 69|newspaper=The Buffalo News|author1=Robert J. McCarthy|author2=T.J. Pignataro|date=November 19, 2017|url=https://buffalonews.com/2017/11/18/joey-scinta-west-side-native-and-part-of-famed-las-vegas-act-dies-at-69/|accessdate=2018-09-25}}</ref> Drummer Pete O'Donnell was added to the group around 1987.<ref>{{cite news|title=Scintas get a full house|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|author=Connie Bloom|date=February 24, 2000|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0EB6D587F4AAEAF8&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}}</ref> In the late 1980s, after Frankie overcame a cocaine addiction, the Scintas became prominent supporters of the "Just Say No" anti-drug campaign.<ref>{{cite news|title=Scinta says no|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|date=November 22, 1987|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24056357/scinta_says_no/|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Nancy Reagan's war on drugs was personal for Frankie Scinta|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=Norm Clarke|date=March 12, 2016|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/nancy-reagans-war-on-drugs-was-personal-for-frankie-scinta/|accessdate=2018-09-25}}</ref>
The group toured throughout the eastern United States for many years.<ref name=herbeck /> They were particularly popular in Akron, Ohio, where they performed regularly at the Tangier cabaret.<ref name=weatherford /><ref>{{cite news|title=Buffalo-based Scintas are buffaloed in Akron|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|author=Mark Faris|date=January 30, 1986|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0EDF14A30480104E&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}}</ref>
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.<ref name=kats /><ref name=hotts>{{cite news|title=Hotts Spots: Show must go on for Scintas despite losses|newspaper=Macomb Daily|author=Mitch Hotts|date=June 6, 2018|url=https://www.macombdaily.com/entertainment/hotts-spots-show-must-go-on-for-scintas-despite-losses/article_c4b69cc5-675b-5efb-a213-30b13b1223d3.html|accessdate=2018-09-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Scintas family show brings back Vegas charm|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=F. Andrew Taylor|date=March 10, 2016|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/shows/scintas-family-show-brings-back-vegas-charm/|accessdate=2018-09-25}}</ref>
Chrissi retired from the group in 2013 because of throat hemorrhaging.<ref name=mccarthy /><ref>{{cite news|title=The Scintas miss their sister Chrissi — but find love with Janien Valentine|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|author=Robin Leach|date=April 25, 2013|url=https://lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2013/apr/25/scintas-miss-their-sister-chrissi-find-janiene-val/|accessdate=2018-09-25}}</ref> She was replaced first by Ashlee Amoia and later by Janien Valentine.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Scintas to bring a bit of Vegas to Akron|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|author=Kerry Clawson|date=July 25, 2013|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24054577/the_scintas_to_bring_a_bit_of_vegas_to/|via=Newspapers.com}} ([https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24054589/the_scintas_to_bring_a_bit_of_vegas_to/ Part 2 of article])</ref> Joey Scinta died in 2017, and the group continued on without him.<ref name=hotts /> 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.<ref name=hotts /><ref>{{cite news|title=Frankie Scinta gets comfortable at the South Point Showroom|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|author=Brock Radke|date=October 15, 2018|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2018/oct/15/frankie-scinta-interview-south-point-showroom/|accessdate=2018-10-17}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Scintas, The}} Category:Musical groups established in 1977 Category:1977 establishments in New York (state) Category:Musical groups from Buffalo, New York Category:American comedy musical groups