--After making its mark on Broadway, the new musical A Bronx Tale is ready to
bring its gripping story and dynamite doo-wop score to theater goers all
across the country. Featuring direction by Jerry Zaks and
Robert De Niro, catchy songs by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater and electric
choreography by Sergio Trujillo, Chazz Palminterri's Bronx Tale is the kind
of fan favorite musical that will have audiences cheering long after they've
left the theater. We recently visited the cast at their rehearsal room in Queens
where they gave us a sneak peek at the show and we haven't stopped snapping our
fingers since.
--They call me C! And I like it.
Everything is free!
And I like it.
Got the style, got the rep
got a swing in my step.
I got the cash and the crew All because of guess who
Nothing will be quite the same Starting with my new name
And I like it
Yeaaah, yeah I like it Yeaaaaah, yeah I like it
-- 30 years ago when I wrote the one-man show, then the movie and now the
musical, and now the road company. I'm real excited by it. What a great
cast? We have an 11 people from the Broadway show that are going on the road,
and we have some incredible new entries, new actors, and that just do an
incredible job. So I'm really very excited by it.
--The show really has a message of you know it's a it combines so many things.
It combines the music of Alan Menken, which is like I mean who doesn't love? How can
you not love an Alan Menken song? With the greatest story of a coming-of-age
kid growing up in the Bronx in the 50s and 60s. It's got that you know the the
mob element involved, but really what's most important is it has a message of of
not wasting your life, not wasting your talent, and really making good decisions.
And and through this show you know Chazz has really put the idea out there I've
seen him talk to kids about making the right decision, about you know not getting in
the car with somebody drunk, and not you know any little thing. And every decision
we make leads to the next thing in our lives and one decision can throw it all
off off track. So, the show is that kind of a message with Alan Menken songs, with
Chas a story. Come on, what's not to love?
--[sings] Webster Avenue!
--Boys are singing
--Yeah, yeah
--On Webster Avenue!
--Hey!
--Strut on by!
--Love that
--Ooh, Webster Avenue!
--It's Chazz' story, and he tells us a lot of stories about you know even that's
not in the story. I think it's really important for people to come together,
absolutely at this time, everyone's you know love this answer, you know what I
mean? And I feel like the show says it all. One of the greatest eras for music
is when it's when so many different genres bubbled up and became prominent
in our culture. So basing all of that, I mean that all of that music is just
amazing to hear every day, and to sing. --Anyone who's either been a parent or a
child is gonna love this show, you know? --It's a timeless story that Chazz has
written and that Alan Menken and Glenn Slater have contributed to with their
score, and I just think people are going to experience a lot of joy. And in these
days joy is a pretty rare commodity, and I think it's something that you know
people need.
--[sings] Belmont Avenue
--Belmont Avenue
--Woah, woah
--Oooh, oooh --
--Belmont Avenue
--Oooh!
[applause]