Suncoast Casino Show

The last Musical Variety Show at the Suncoast Casino in Las Vegas will be November 20, 2019. I have enjoyed working with the Ed Mathews production group and the supporting audiences of the Wednesday afternoon shows.

So it is with sadness that I have learned that after 17 years, the show will no longer be produced at the Suncoast Casino. The days when casinos put on free shows for the guests and gambling crowd are gone. Every casino wants to rent out their theater space, which means that shows have to charge for tickets. Casinos want to take in more profits than from the gambling – so are now putting in high-end restaurants, paid parking, and high-priced extravaganza shows.

While this appears to be economically driven, it does not help local musicians. Enter the Chinese shows. China subsidizes their shows and these are easily affordable to a range of small to medium-sized theaters. They can produce and sell a show for much less than the local talents can, because the Chinese artists paychecks are subsidized by the government. So sadly, many local musicians and artists are having to lower their prices for gigs or moving out of the area in search of better pastures.

I am very glad to have been included as part of this troupe of exceptionally talented individuals. It will be a bittersweet show on this Wednesday, but a heartfelt one. Thank you to Ed Mathews and his wonderful friends for providing us with wonderful entertainment for the past 17 years.

Suncoast Hotel and Casino

So happy to host a show at the Suncoast Hotel & Casino Showroom on September 4, 2019 at 2 pm, here in Las Vegas.

It’s a classic variety show, where I do a little magic and singing. I also get to introduce some talented guest stars. It’s a great line-up and a little respite from the little miseries of life. I hope the audience leaves feeling a little bit more hopeful and happier.

Also appearing in the show is Lannie Counts, veteran singer and performer whose stellar vocals will thrill and delight audiences. 

Award winning operatic soprano, Julia Lima, is a featured guest.  She has appeared on stages world-wide and is sure to impress with her versatility in classical, jazz and pop tune.

Ed Matthews and Desert Productions in Las Vegas have been producing this long-standing variety show twice a month.  The variety shows have garnered a long-standing and loyal audience through the years.

The show is full of high energy entertainment with outstanding acts that will surely please any crowd. Swipe your B Connected card at any kiosk for your free tickets. Seating is first come, first served. Additional information is available online at https://www.suncoastcasino.com/whats-new/events/2018—suncoast-variety-show—160778

Lannie's Link

Suncoast Link

Hilton Garden Inn

Creativity abounds in all aspects of life. An opportunity was presented to me in the form of developing a pasta sauce. While it is no secret that I love eating and cooking, it surprised me that so many people have been supportive of this effort.

In conjunction with the Las Vegas Ticket Brokers, we are hosting a pasta dinner at the Hilton Garden Inn in Las Vegas. My pasta sauce will be on display in addition to a little bit of my vocalizations – Italian songs in keeping with the theme.

Informal taste tests of my sauce has proven favorable in the past. So we will try it with a larger crowd now. Wish me luck.

Ed Mathew’s Variety Show

Dessert Productions, Las Vegas
June 19, 2019
Ed Mathews with Desert Productions presents, ‘Variety Show’ at the Suncoast Hotel & Casino here in Vegas.  So happy to be included with these very talented artists. 

It’s an old-fashioned variety show with lots of high-energy entertainment. I hope that you will come out and see the show if you’re in the area.

June 19th is  AN AFTERNOON OF SINATRA !
Show Host(s): Carmine Mandia, Ron Smith, Lisa Smith, Ryan Baker
Special Guests: Geechy Guy (comedian), Joey Spinella (classical tenor)
​Band: Bill Fayne, Nanette Fortier, Frank Fabio, Matt Baldoni​ 

HOW TO GET TICKETS:
Tickets are FREE and available the day of the show to all B Connected Members! Swipe at any kiosk on Show Days 10:00am – 1:30pm for tickets. All attendees must be at least 21 years of age.  You can always call 702.285.8330 if you need the B Connected Members Information.

Seating is based on availability. Show seats are on a first come, first serve basis.

A Mob Story

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I have found a home at the Plaza Showroom in Las Vegas with the wonderful cast and crew of ‘A Mob Story.’ Who knew that an opera aria like ‘Nessun Dorma’ would receive a standing ovation?

It’s actually based on a bit of Vegas history. In the old days at the Copa Room in the original Sands Hotel, all sorts of big-name talent was featured. Opera singers like Ezio Pinza, Marguerite Piazza, Jan Peerce and even Jeanette McDonald performed operatic music during the Copa Room days. The Italian songs were big hits back then – just as Il Divo and Andrea Bocelli are today.

In a throwback to the old Copa Days, I appear as Don Popera – a mob ‘don’ who only wants to sing Italian songs and opera arias. Two of the songs I sing, ‘Momma’ and ‘Nessun Dorma’ are available on Amazon.

The show tells of how Bugsy Siegel financed the first hotel, Flamingo Hotel with money from the New York mob. The hotel opened in December 1946. Six months later, Siegel would be killed in a hail of gunfire in front of his girlfriend, Virginia Hill’s, house.

Then Johnny Rosselli, (played by Marcel Forestieri) had become the Chicago and Los Angeles mob’s representative in Las Vegas. “Handsome Johnny” Rosselli was to ensure that the mob bosses received their fair share of the casino revenues.

It is a show about crime, punishment, betrayal and entertainment in the desert. Emmy and Golden Globe winner, Jeff Kutash, produces the show. The dancing is out of this world. With Brian Friedman’s choreography, there are some momentous numbers.

The real thrill comes when Michael Franzese narrates the story, sharing some juicy tidbits of the past. Michael Franzese is a former New York mobster and ‘caporegime’ of the Colombo crime family. However, he has become a devoted Christian, publicly renounced organized crime, created a foundation for helping youth, and become a motivational speaker. But his revelations of the past are provocative.

The bygone history of how the mob made Las Vegas emerges in energetic dance numbers, notable songs and momentous special effects. It intertwines the history of the mob in Vegas and how it, in turn, influenced the sphere of the entertainment world.

Tickets available now, and seating is arranged for general admission, VIP with preferred seating, and platinum tickets. Platinum tickets offer preferred seating and a meet and greet with the performers and show narrator and real-life former Colombo family capo, Michael Franzese.

Tickets are available by calling 702-386-2507 or online at https://www.plazahotelcasino.com/entertainment/a-mob-story.

For the latest updates on Joe Spinella, follow @JoeySpinellaTenor on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.

Naples Under the Stars

I am so happy to be performing with the lovely soprano, Marilyn Faye O’Leary at La Bella Napoli in Las Vegas on June 29, 2017 at 7:00 pm.

We will perform a program of Italy’s best-loved songs, arias, Neapolitan and Italian classics during the ‘Night in Naples’ concert.

I have been called a ‘new breed of tenor’ by Cookie Curci at NewsBlaze Daily News, and I really appreciate the acknowledgement. I just really enjoy singing and evolving my craft. This show is a tribute to my Italian heritage and a musical acknowledgment to my grandparents. I decided to showcase this wonderful music to preserve my Italian heritage. One of my concerns is that these musical ‘gems’ are being lost; and we need to teach them to younger generations.

Reservations can be made through the office at 702-202-6688 or online at http://labellalv.com/menu/ .

For this special one-day event, we will perform a special repertoire in order to evoke the authentic Italian flavor of the music. There will be soundtracks recorded by the world acclaimed Macedonia Radio Symphony Orchestra which will enhance the listening pleasure. You can find some samples of the music from previous shows on Youtube at this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eahxFCqCQAU .

La Bella Napoli specializes in beautifully crafted individual wood fired Neapolitan pizzas and Italian dishes from traditions that are well over 200 years old. The family-owned business has created a local Neapolitan Pizzeria that provides exceptional food, a welcoming environment for families and business professionals, and a fun date night spot for couples.

Conveniently located in Town Square in Las Vegas, La Bella Napoli is more than a pizzeria; it is an Italian food experience that charms your senses!

It’s All in the Details

“It’s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.” – John Wooden

 It is an exhilarating journey taking ‘illusionAria’ from conception to final product.  With the success of the big production shows in March and the ‘mini-shows’ in April, there has been a lot of interest in the show.  Things are out percolating in the universe. (See highlights from the show here on Youtube for Spinella Tenor.)

It’s not that easy being able to sing all those songs in my ‘opera’ voice, hitting all the marks, acting out the song and then remembering every step for the illusions. You have to be aware and ‘in the moment’ for every song.  Even when something goes wrong, you have to make it look right on stage.  It’s a challenge every show; and that’s what makes the live performances so exciting.

But I was also, perhaps, a bit unprepared for the demands on my time for all the tiny details.  The e-branding and little things like logo design that need approvals.  The updated bio, the website, the new press kit, the newsletter and promotional materials that need to be duplicated quickly and sent out – all seem like tedious details, but details are important to the overall show.  And we are on a roll now!

My staff and crew have been invaluable.  I am always amazed at what they come up with.  My staff came up with a way to put the show set and props up in less than half a day and break it down in the same time.  That leaves more time for rehearsals. I just did a ‘mini-show’ in Orlando that people went wild over.  It can easily fit a venue for a smaller theater or convention or special event.  It was a successful fundraiser; and I did not get to bed until 5 am because of all the fun after the show.  I am always so touched when I get the standing ovations; and I am happy because it feels like I’ve done my job.  People really do love magic and beautiful music.  It’s a good feeling to know that you can do something you love; and that everyone enjoys it and goes home feeling a bit better.

I am very excited about the opportunities that are opening up right now.  I so enjoy working with my staff and crew, who have become like family and have been so supportive, innovative and creative.  If there is any success in this endeavor, I am bringing them along with me. That only seems fair.  So my decisions right now of which venue to pick and how to get everyone there with me is a meaningful one.

Everyone involved feels so confident about the show; we’re lining up proposals and bookings and also considering a global tour.  And while we are being conscientious with the details, we are also pushing to meet deadlines and everyone else’s schedules.  So it has been hectic, joyful and illuminating.

It reminds me of the story of the potter who went to apprentice with a master.  The apprentice showed the master his work.

The master said, “You need to smooth this edge; add a handle; and make the bottom level.”

The apprentice argued, “Master, these are but little details.”

So the master replied, “And that is the difference between mediocrity and excellence.”

For now, we press on with the details, the pursuit of excellence and upcoming events.  If you want to see more photos and event information, please like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Magical.Tenor.

My website is SpinellaTenorofillusions.com

For contact and booking information, please click here SpinellaTenorofillusions.com/contact

illusionAria comes to Venice, Florida

illusionAria is a new project that belongs in the theater of perplexity. It is so outrageous to describe. Once you enter the elaborately decorated arena, you will be entertained by some wonderfully talented up and coming singers. Lest you think that it is just another concert, let’s take a closer look.

This project has been a couple of years in the making. The music was specifically recorded with the Emmy-award winning Macedonia Radio Symphonic Orchestra. So the orchestral music fills the air. I begin the first act in costume by performing my Pavarotti impersonation. Yes, I am a professional tenor, singing live.

I have a quick change on stage and another song. My assistant comes onstage and disappears right before your very eyes, while I am singing. So yes, I am singing and performing magic simultaneously. Did I mention that Death makes an appearance?

Then I sing my new single, ‘Trust in Me,’ written and produced by Joe Vulpis.  Joe Vulpis also wrote and produced songs for somebody called Lady Gaga. But I digress. Of course, I am singing ‘Trust in Me’ to my lovely girlfriend/bride-to-be in the show. But she cheats on me; so naturally, I have to kill her or at least make the attempt.

Then we have the marvelous strength hand-balancing act from Cirque du Soleil. Did I mention that I get beheaded? Then we have the Chinese dragon dance. But I survive the beheading and finish the show with everyone’s favorite aria.

Somewhere in all this is a little intermission and some other tricks like levitating tables and disappearing birds (animatronic ones). I am sure that I have gotten a few things out of order; and I have a feeling that I am leaving something out, but then you will just have to come see the show to really understand this ‘stream of consciousness’ theatrical experience. It is a completely new and wondrous theatrical experience combining the art of theater, with the art of music, with the art of illusion, with the art of performing, with the art of athletics, with the art of acting and heaven knows what else all in one mesmerizing unforgettable show.

This is a step up from the last show. There is comedy and drama, joy and sadness, despair and hope – just as in life. And I am so happy to be working with a fantastic crew and cast who pulls together to make it work!

Of course, we are setting up the tents and seating in Venice, Florida. The seating can accommodate over 600 people. The stage is being specifically constructed for the show. Most importantly, proceeds from the show go to benefit the Venice Circus Arts Foundation and which is trying to Save the Venice Circus Arena.

I am thrilled to be a part of this cultural endeavor and pleased to bring this special, indefinable theatrical experience to Southwest Florida.

Evenings 7:30 pm

March 7, 8, 9 & 10
March 14,15, 16 & 17
March 21, 22 & 23

Matinees 1:30 pm
March 9, 10, 16, 17 & 23

Tickets $40, $30, $20.

You can find more about it by calling  941-275-4150   or purchase tickets online at http://illusionaria.ticketleap.com/