Producers Tommy Mottola, the Dodgers, Tribeca Productions and Evamere Entertainment are pleased to announce that the North American Tour of A Bronx Tale, the new musical featuring a book by Academy Award nominee Chazz Palminteri, music by Oscar, Grammy, and Tony Award winner Alan Menken, and lyrics by Grammy Award winner and Oscar and Tony Award nominee Glenn Slater, directed by two-time Oscar winner Robert De Niro and four-time Tony Award winner Jerry Zaks, with choreography by Tony nominee Sergio Trujillo, will play the Broward Center for the Performing Arts for a limited two week run, June 11 – 23.
A Bronx Tale, premiered at the Tony Award-winning Paper Mill Playhouse to critical and popular acclaim in Spring 2016. A Bronx Tale, opened on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre on December 1, 2016, following previews from November 3. The show ended its Broadway run on August 5, 2018, having played 700 performances and as the second longest running show in the history of the Longacre Theatre.
Based on the one-man show that inspired the now classic film, this streetwise musical takes audiences to the stoops of the Bronx in the 1960s—where a young man is caught between the father he loves and the mob boss he’d love to be. Featuring an original doo-wop score, this is a tale about respect, loyalty, love, and above all else: family.
It was an honor and a pleasure to sit down with Chazz Palminteri in person, a few months ago, for this exclusive Hotspots Interview:
Were you always an actor, even as a child, or when did it start?
I was 10 years old and my mom would take me to the movies. When I saw “Around The World in 80 Days,” and “On The Waterfront” I knew I wanted to be an actor…I got the bug.
Do you remember your first paid gig and how much did you get paid?
I was in a play called “22Years” in a supper club in New York City in the 1970’s.
When did you start writing and where did you get the inspiration for “A Bronx Tale?”
I used to write short stories and poetry but “A Bronx Tale” is the first play I wrote. I was broke and wanted to do something to shine at in Hollywood, so I wrote this show and played all 18 characters and my career took off.
How did it feel to get nominated for an academy award?
It was kind of surreal. It was a very proud moment for me as my parents and my new wife were there.
You are an actor, a write, and a director. Is there one you like better than the others and why?
No, because I enjoy doing all 3. Whatever I am doing at the time, I enjoy doing.
After being famous for so many years, is there something we would be surprised to know about you?
I’m really not this mean guy. People think I am, because of the roles I play.
Describe yourself in three words?
A good man!
What’s ahead for Chazz Palminteri?
I have a new series with Forrest Whitaker on Epix called Godfather of Harlem. I have also written a new play called “The Bench,” and I am working on a new musical with Alan Menken and Glenn Slater.
I also would like to remind your readers that Chazz Palminteri Restaurant is one of the top Italian restaurants in New York City.
What should the south Florida theater goers expect from the traveling company of “A Bronx Tale?”
First, 11 people from the original Broadway show are working on the touring production, and that is very rare in the industry and it tell you how much they love this show.
I guarantee you will cry at the end of this show, and I think it’s important to bring your children around 11/12 and up as it teaches them the lesson that the choices they will make will shape their lives forever.
People that if a show does two of these three things (makes you laugh, makes you cry, and scares you) then you have a hit. A Bronx Tale does all three!
A Bronx Tale, evolved from the one-man Off-Broadway play, A Bronx Tale, written and performed by Chazz Palminteri in 1989. During the original Off Broadway and subsequent Los Angeles engagements, Robert De Niro came to see the show, and brought the story and star Palminteri to the screen in 1993, making his film directorial debut in the process. Following the success of the film, Palminteri performed the one-man show A Bronx Tale on Broadway in the 2007-2008 Season.
A Bronx Tale’s, Original Broadway Cast Album is now available on Ghostlight Records in digital formats, with CDs in stores and online.
For more information, go to: ABronxTaleTheMusical.com.
Tickets for A BRONX TALE will be available at the Broward Center AutoNation Box Office, 201 SW Fifth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33312, browardcenter.org or call 954.462.0222. Orders for groups of ten (10) or more may be placed by calling 954.660.6307. Ticket prices start at $40.75*.
