A Bronx Tale: The Musical

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renewal bannerThe opening set of A Bronx Tale is a simple one, sporting a solitary street sign, “Belmont Avenue.”

For most viewing this set, it may just be a street sign, but for me, it conjures up my childhood and the numerous stories my father, who was raised there, regaled the family with. Colorful characters, stores that he frequented every day, and the cohesiveness of the neighborhood were woven into his personal often told tales.

The stores that were on the block, Madonia Bread, Gino’s Pastry, Mike’s Deli and Borgatti Pasta are depicted in another set. If you go to the neighborhood today, those stores are all still there, generations later. At intermission, smitten with seeing replicas of the stores I know so well, I turned to the man seated next to me to tell him this, and he seemed mildly annoyed that I interrupted his relationship with his phone. But no matter, I was reveling in enjoying a Broadway musical, centered around a tiny piece of New York real estate, that was so much a part of my life growing up. And thus, this is fair warning, I am very sentimental about this show and its’ creator Chazz Palminteri, who chronicled his early years as a kid and teenager, navigating the troubled streets of that then usually forgotten borough.

A Bronx Tale The Musical Pre-opening information; subject to change A Bronx Tale The Musical View More Images Longacre Theatre, (12/01/2016 - ) First Preview: Nov 03, 2016 Total Previews: Opening Date: Dec 01, 2016 Closing Date: Total Performances: Category: Musical, Drama, Original, Broadway A Bronx Tale The Musical tickets Official Website Opening Night Credits Production Staff Theatre Owned / Operated by The Shubert Organization (Philip J. Smith: Chairman; Robert E. Wankel: President) Produced by Tommy Mottola, The Dodgers and Tribeca Productions Book by Chazz Palminteri; Music by Alan Menken; Lyrics by Glenn Slater; Musical Director: Jonathan Smith; Music arranged by Ron Melrose; Music orchestrated by Doug Besterman Directed by Robert De Niro and Jerry Zaks; Choreographed by Sergio Trujillo Scenic Design by Beowulf Boritt; Costume Design by William Ivey Long; Lighting Design by Howell Binkley; Sound Design by Gareth Owen; Hair and Wig Design by Paul Huntley; Make-Up Design by Anne Ford-Coates Musical Supervisor: Ron Melrose Casting: Tara Rubin Casting; Press Representative: Boneau / Bryan-Brown; Fight Coordinator: Robert Westley Cast Richard H. Blake Lorenzo Nick Cordero Sonny Ariana DeBose Jane Lucia Giannetta Rosina Bradley Gibson Tyrone Bobby Conte Thornton Broadway debut Calogero Hudson Loverro Broadway debut Young Calogero Athan Sporek Young Calogero Alternate Gilbert L. Bailey II Joe Barbara Michael Barra Broadway debut Jonathan Brody Ted Brunetti Brittany Conigatti Kaleigh Cronin Trista Dollison David Michael Garry Rory Max Kaplan Dominic Nolfi Christiani Pitts Broadway debut Paul Salvatoriello Broadway debut Joseph J. Simeone Joey Sorge Cary Tedder Kirstin Tucker Swings: Michelle Aravena, Gerald Caesar, Charlie Marcus, Wonu Ogunfowora and Keith White © 2001- 2016, The Broadway League, All Rights Reserved. Copyright | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Terms of

Chazz has done an amazing job with the story, partially based on his life. The central plot revolves around young Calogero, who is conflicted by his warmth and closeness with his father, who wants his son to live a clean life and work on his innate talent, and his attraction to a neighborhood gangster, who demands respect from everyone around him, and shows young “C” the ropes.

Calogero is blinded by the money, status and respect that Sonny, the gangster, can provide.
A secondary plot highlights the divided neighborhood that existed: whites lived on Belmont, blacks on Webster and the inevitable trouble that ensued when people ventured beyond their own neighborhoods.

By now, I am sure you know the story of A Bronx Tale. One that likely so many young men can identify with. Is it better to be loved or feared? Can you really walk away from the temptations of money, when it is procured in nefarious ways? Calogero’s father was a hard working, decent man, a bus driver of little means, but a man with a very large heart.

Sonny, in his way, has heart as well, but his path was one that would lead Calogero down a very dangerous dead end.

The creative team behind A Bronx Tale:The Musical is just astounding: Robert DeNiro and Jerry Zaks co-directors, Alan Menken, music, Glenn Slater, lyrics, with choreography by Sergio Trujillo, scenic design by Beowulf Boritt, costumes by William Ivey Long and lighting by Howell Binkley. I mean, these are all Broadway and entertainment veterans. Oh, and by the way, record executive Tommy Mottola is one of the major producers.

The principal characters are all well cast. Broadway veteran Nick Cordero is fabulous as Sonny, Bobby Conte Thornton, making his Broadway debut as the teen Calogero, commands the stage, as does the young boy who plays 9 year old Calogero, Hudson Loverro. Richard H. Blake (Lorenzo, the father), Lucia Giannetta, (Rosina, the mother), Ariana Debose (Jane, Calogero’s love interest), and Bradley Gibson (Tyrone, Jane’s brother) are all terrific in their respective roles.

The music is good, with an outstanding song, “One of the Great Ones” my favorite.

A Bronx Tale The Musical
Ultimately, A Bronx Tale is a story about  turning away from greed and control, believing in the power of love, and finding one’s self along the way. And the best part is, that discovery takes place in the borough that  I call, the “real deal.”  The Bronx, NYC. www.abronxtalethemusical.com

Valerie Smaldone is a 5-time Billboard Magazine Award winner and is well known for her unprecedented success holding the #1 on-air position in the New York radio market on 106.7 Life-FM, an iHeart station. She has hosted, produced, and created several award-winning nationally syndicated programs featuring in-depth interviews with stars like Paul McCartney, Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, Elton John and Mariah Carey among others. Her radio talk show "Bagels and Broadway" highlighted theatre and food personalities. She is an accomplished interviewer and voice artist heard on commercials, narrations, promos and audiobooks, as well as a sought after live announcer.

Most recently, Valerie produced and directed a film, The Thursday Night Club, featuring pop diva Gloria Gaynor in her movie acting debut. She is one of the creators and producers of a docu-series, Divine Renovation, starring Erik Estrada, on streaming networks soon.

Valerie Smaldone

Valerie Smaldone is a 5-time Billboard Magazine Award winner and is well known for her unprecedented success holding the #1 on-air position in the New York radio market on 106.7 Life-FM, an iHeart station. She has hosted, produced, and created several award-winning nationally syndicated programs featuring in-depth interviews with stars like Paul McCartney, Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, Elton John and Mariah Carey among others. Her radio talk show "Bagels and Broadway" highlighted theatre and food personalities. She is an accomplished interviewer and voice artist heard on commercials, narrations, promos and audiobooks, as well as a sought after live announcer. Most recently, Valerie produced and directed a film, The Thursday Night Club, featuring pop diva Gloria Gaynor in her movie acting debut. She is one of the creators and producers of a docu-series, Divine Renovation, starring Erik Estrada, on streaming networks soon.

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