Walter Kerr Theater

Previews started : 4th October 2007
Opened : 25th October 2007
Limited Engagement to : 3rd February 2008

"he exudes a moment-to-moment engagement that suggests that this revival is not a lazy ego trip but a rejuvenating act of faith in the complementary powers of acting and storytelling."
Charles Isherwood, New York Times

"A Bronx Tale" is a fictionalised story based on a true incident. When I was a young boy growing up in the Bronx, I witnessed a man shoot another man right in front of me while I was sitting on my stoop. At that time, I thought they were fighting over the parking space in front of my building. I never did find out what they were fighting over, but it doesn't matter now anyway. That incident was how "Bronx Tale" began.

I wanted to write a story about the working man, like my father, who put his dreams aside so his children could have a better life. So much has been written to portray the negative side of the stereotype wise guys and hoodlums in the Italian-American community that it has overshadowed the accomplishments of the working man. The man who gets up every morning to do a job he doesn't like very much but does it anyway for his family - just like the fireman, the cop, the sanitation man, the brick-layer, and of course, the bus driver.

These are just some of the people who are the glue that holds together all Italian-American communities across the country. As a young boy, I would see the wise guys on the corner with their fancy cars and shiny suits and I would think they were the real tough guys. But as I got a lot older, I realised the working man was the tough guy.

This is a story of a young boy who has to make those choices. Each choice he makes can change his life forever. It's about reaching one's potential in life and how the love we get from our parents can shape our lives. I wanted to explore these universal themes told through the eyes of a young boy. As Lorenzo the bus-driver used to tell his son as he was growing up, "The saddest thing in life is wasted talent. Don't waste yours."

Chazz Palminteri portrays 18 people in his one-man show about growing up on the mean streets of the Bronx. It inspired the 1993 film of the same name. A hardworking father struggles to negate his son's fascination with a local gangster.

Creators
Jerry Zaks (Direction)
Written by: Chazz Palminteri

Starring
Chazz Palminteri

Audience:  A Bronx Tale may be inappropriate for children aged 12 and under.  Children under 4 years of age will not be admitted into the Walter Kerr Theater. Latecomers will not be seated. Please arrive promptly.

Run time:  90 minutes with no intermission

Show Times