'A Bronx Tale' On Broadway
A Bronx Tale officially opens on Broadway today, October 25. The one-man show marks the Broadway debut of Oscar-nominated screen and stage actor Chazz Palminteri, who first performed the show in L.A. and Off-Broadway in the late '80s, and inspired the 1993 film of the same name (written by Palminteri, directed by Robert De Niro, and starring both actors). Previews began October 4, and the 18-week engagement will run through February 10 at the Walter Kerr Theatre.
In the semi-autobiographical solo show, the actor plays 18 roles that depict "a rough childhood on Bronx streets populated by a cast of friends and enemies," according to press notes.
Press notes also reveal that the production "caught the attention of studios, producers, directors, all of whom wanted to make the film version - without him. Palminteri turned down a million-dollar offer for the film rights, despite having $200 in his bank account at the time. Robert De Niro came to see the show, and brought both it and Palminteri to the screen, making his directorial debut in the process."
"Over the years I've done over 50 movies, but everybody comes over to me and talks to me about Bronx Tale," Palminteri told Variety about the movie. "I walk down the street, I have people yelling lines from the movie at me. It's bigger than me."
Broadway.com has an insightful Q & A with Palminteri about his career and revisiting A Bronx Tale on stage.
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