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“A Bronx Tale” at Hollywood Pantages Theatre

Review bronxs tale at hollywood pantages“A Bronx Tale” at Hollywood Pantages Theatre – No Wasted Talent Here!

How exciting that Chazz Palminteri brings his Broadway hit,  “A Bronx Tale,” back home to Los Angeles where it all began for the writer-actor. I remember back in 1989 the buzz around tinsel town of a new rising star and how the play turned into an overnight sensation. Soon, copycats of one-man shows were popping up all over Santa Monica Boulevard’s 99-seat theatre district. But none can compare to the true story of a young boy growing up in the Bronx who is torn between the working class father he loves and the gambling fast life of a mobster boss who takes him under his wing. Based on the solo show that inspired the classic film, this streetwise musical takes audiences back in time, a time of innocence, not so innocent, and to the stoops of the Bronx in the 1960s.

The Hollywood Pantages production of “A Bronx Tale” is a truthful portrayal of two ethnic groups: Italians and African-Americans sharing the small neighborhood and the rifts between them during that turbulent time.

Joey Barreiro plays Calogero as a teenager caught in between two philosophies and the conflicts of generational social norms when he falls in love with the beautiful Rosina.  She happens to be the right girl for him, “one of the greats,” –– but not so much for everybody else.

The musical has a book by Oscar nominee Chazz Palminteri, music by Oscar, Grammy, and Tony winner Alan Menken and lyrics by Grammy winner and Oscar and Tony nominee Glenn Slater. The production is directed by two-time Oscar winner Robert De Niro and four-time Tony winner Jerry Zaks, with choreography by Tony nominee Sergio Trujillo.

The cast, which features 11 alumni from the Broadway production, is led by Joe Barbara as Sonny, Richard H. Blake as Lorenzo, Joey Barreiro as Calogero, Michelle Aravena as Rosina, Brianna-Marie Bell as Jane, Antonio Beverly as Tyrone, and Frankie Leoni and Shane Pry alternating as the young Calogero. Frankie Leoni is a talent to watch.

In the play, Chaz says that his father always told him: “The saddest thing in life is wasted talent, don’t waste your life son.” Chaz, the cast and everyone involved with the production took his father’s advice –– no talent wasted here! The performances had heart, wit and will make you cry and laugh, sometimes at the same time. But that’s Italian!

The ensemble also features Mike Backes, Michael Barra, Sean Bell, Joshua Michael Burrage, Joey Calveri, Giovanni DiGabriele, John Gardiner, Peter Gregus, Haley Hannah, Kirk Lydell, Ashley McManus, Chris Messina, Robert Pieranunzi, Brandi Porter, Kyli Rae, Joseph Sammour, Paul Salvatoriello, Brittany Williams, and Jason Williams.

Photo credit: Joan Marcus, 2016

When: November 6 – 25, 2018. 8pm

Where: The Hollywood Pantages Theater

Read More Official Website

Tickets Here

 

 

 

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