Newton, Orlando crash Wanderers’ party
Iall fun and games, until Wayne Newton and Tony Orlando show up. Then it’s REALLY fun and games.
A night on the Strip took a legendary detour Thursday as Vinny Adinolfi of Bronx Wanderers celebrated his 60th birthday during the act’s performance at the Windows Showroom at Bally’s. The show, and Adinolfi’s party, were planned. But dual surprises arrived as Orlando showed up unexpectedly to take in the show. Orlando helped the family band get its start years ago as his opening act and has been friends of the Adinolfis for two decades.
Orlando and his wife, Francine, and daughter, Jenny Rose, were seated near the front of the stage to Adinolfi’s wide-eyed shock as he opened the show.
Adinolfi was further stunned when Mr. Las Vegas unexpectedly swept into the room. Newton is familiar with the second-level showroom as he’s also a headliner at Windows on Mondays through Wednesdays. Newton was met with a standing ovation as he walked to the stage, stopping to hug and plant a kiss on Orlando’s cheek.
The two superstars have reconciled a long-running feud that was rooted in litigation during their days sharing of theater in Branson, Mo., in the late-1990s.
Newton took the stage, shaded his eyes and said, “Look at this group! I gotta tell you, I heard Tony Orlando came in tonight to fill in for me — what the hell are you doing here?” Newton laughed, wished Adinolfi a happy birthday and hustled off.
Orlando later joined Adinolfi for a quick medley of Orlando’s hits from his days with Dawn. “Sweet Gypsy Rose, “Candida,” “Knock Three Times” and “Tie a Yellow Ribbon” were mashed in an arrangement put together by Vinny’s son Vinny “Vin A.” Adinolfi.
Bucky Heard of the Righteous Brothers also joined the impromptu sing-along, which also included a Bronx Wanderers staple — Dion’s “Runaround Sue.” A show that usually runs an hour and 15 minutes lasted more than two hours.
“What a night,” Adinolfi said at his post-show party (there was that, too). “I am totally overwhelmed.”
Changes in the air
KTNV Channel 13 has shuffled its anchor lineup, and a broadcaster with nearly 40 years of experience is out of the picture.
Veteran newsman Steve Wolford left the station Thursday morning, KTNV General Manager Chris Way confirmed.
“We’re excited about what is happening in Southern Nevada, and we’re extremely proud and grateful to be serving our community,”
Way said in an e-mail message. No reason was given for Wolford’s sudden departure, but sources familiar with the decision say it was a cost-cutting measure.
Wolford had worked for the Las Vegas ABC affiliate since 2005, after arriving from Tampa, Fla., where he began his career in 1979 as a writer and producer. Beginning Monday, Todd Quinones will replace Wolford on the 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts with Tricia Kean continuing as co-host.
The shakeup sends ripples throughout the station’s daytime lineup. Dayna Roselli is now teamed with Beth Fisher on “Good Morning Las Vegas” from 4:30 to 7 a.m. Roselli remains on the 11 a.m. show, where she is now solo anchor appearing with meteorologist Justin Bruce.
Quinones and Roselli had teamed at 11 a.m. since Quinones’ arrival from Philadelphia in 2016 (and to disclose, yours truly is a regular guest with Roselli on “Midday” each Wednesday).
Four more for ‘Sexxy’
“Sexxy” creator, producer and star Jennifer Romas, who is one of these superhero types, has signed a contract extension at the Westgate. It’s a doozy, too, a four-year deal running through 2022.
Thus, Romas has notched a rare achievement in a city where even a two-year extension is impressive. Romas first met Westgate officials at the ribbon-cutting of the new ownership in July 2014 and pitched her idea to Westgate owner David Siegel after the ceremony.
In November of that year, Siegel gave Romas the goahead for the new show. In January 2015, Romas opened a show that has since notched more than 700 performances in Westgate Cabaret.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at jkatsilometes@ reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @Johnnykats1 on Instagram. As of 9 p.m. Friday:
1. Efforts underway to outlaw brothels in 2 Nevada counties
Brothels in two Nevada counties face an uncertain future as referendum petition drives get underway to repeal ordinances that allow their existence.
2. Terrible Herbst to open large travel center in Southern Nevada
Terrible Herbst will open what it calls the world’s largest Chevron in May. The commercial travel center will have 96 fuel pumps and the third White Castle restaurant in Southern Nevada.
3. Suspect in Las Vegas shooting of Venetian execs arrested in Texas
Suspected killer Anthony J. Wrobel’s dayslong run from Las Vegas ended early Thursday at a freeway rest stop near a small town in the Texas Panhandle, when a sheriff ’s deputy spotted a stolen license plate on his dark gray Cadillac.
4. Veteran newsman Steve Wolford out at KTNV
Steve Wolford had worked for Las Vegas’ ABC affiliate since 2005, after arriving from Tampa, Fla., where he began his career in 1979 as a writer and producer.
5. Arizona agency’s actions over Lake Mead ignite water fight
A top official from the Southern Nevada Water Authority is calling on states that rely on the Colorado River to resolve their differences before the growing dispute derails decades of cooperation on the river.