‘A Bronx Tale’ draws a Vegas crowd

The opening night of “A Bronx Tale” at the Venetian brought out an unusual mix of the casino industry and the Las Vegas entertainment and society crowd.

The one-man Broadway play — the precursor to the 1993 movie of the same name — was written by and stars Academy Award-nominated Chazz Palminteri, who will appear at the Venetian through Oct. 18. Insiders at the sold-out opening night hinted that a third week might be added.

Palminteri gives an exhilarating performance during the 90-minute show while portraying dozens of characters. In a sense, he performs the movie by himself.

The show is produced by Las Vegas-based GO Productions, whose principals — John Gaughan, and brothers Trent Othick and Matt Othick — are the sons of gaming industry insiders. Associate producers include Focus Property Group principal Vincent Schettler, poker standout Phil Ivey and Las Vegas Dissemination Chief Operating Officer Robert Moretti. Gaughan founded and owns Las Vegas Dissemination.

Opening night attracted former Horseshoe executive Jack Binion, noted gambler Billy Walters, Cannery Casinos boss Bill Wortman, Herbst Gaming principal Ed Herbst and South Point owner Michael Gaughan, father of John Gaughan, who wore a “Bronx Tale” baseball cap at the aftershow party inside the Palazzo’s Lavo restaurant.

Current gaming figures included Wynn Las Vegas President Andrew Pascal and former Golden Nugget owner Tim Poster, a high school friend of Trent Othick.

Also spied in the audience were former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson, actress Marilu Henner, Clark County District Attorney David Roger, criminal defense attorney David Chesnoff and State Sen. Bob Coffin, attending with his wife, UNLV journalism professor Mary Hausch.

Vinny Magliulo, vice president of operations of Las Vegas Dissemination Co., said he told Palminteri not to be surprised if the audience spent part of the night checking out who attended and where they were sitting.

“This is a great Las Vegas crowd,” Magliulo said.