Center Stage: ‘A Bronx Tale’ is dazzling, fast-paced Broadway show
“A Bronx Tale” — the 210th production at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre in Fort Myers — is currently entertaining audiences with a doo-wop musical about growing up on the streets of a big metropolitan city in the 1960s. Written as a semi-autobiographical show by actor Chazz Palminteri, it started out as a one-man show starring him, where Palminteri played all 18 roles. Only later did it become a musical with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater.
Anyone who has grown up in a big city will recognize the territorial rites of passage where neighborhood streets are driven by the kids who grow up there. Not unlike the streets of the Brooklyn neighborhood where I grew up. There were the Italian streets, Irish streets, German and Jewish streets. Each area had its own bakeries, grocery stores, bars and candy stores, which catered to the tastes and even the language of that area. The only place where all the kids were mixed was in school — although at lunch time and recess we all went back to our “homies.”
This show resonates with the groovy doo-wop sounds of the ’60s era. All of which was coming to us via transistor radios or the kids singing close harmonies on street corners. Popular music was everywhere, and lives were lived to whatever was number One on the Hit Parade. The great doo-wop music of “A Bronx Tale” is what drives this show and keeps it moving, while entertaining us. Just like it did back in Brooklyn, except we were into the swing of the ’40s and bebop of the ’50s. I must also add kudos for the “rock solid” dance moves by choreographer Amy Marie McCleary and the fabulous ensemble. This choreography adds just the right zing to enjoying “A Bronx Tale.” Bravo to Director Victor Legaretta for setting the fast-acting pace, the “just right” tempo for this big city story happening in Bronx, New York.
“A Bronx Tale” follows the life a young Italian-American boy — whose first name is Cologero, called “C” for short by his pals — growing up and becoming a man. We follow the life of young C growing up in the Bronx, which was played to perfection by talented, young actor-singer Caisson Dobson on the night we saw it.
The show opens with guys standing on a street corner, singing four-part harmony; here we meet the young Cologero, who witnesses a shooting committed by the neighborhood’s teen gang leader. The much feared Sonny, played by Daniel Rosenbaum. When the “kid” is called before the cops to identify the killer, the boy takes his cue from his parents, who fear a payback from Sonny, and tells the cops nothing. This silence earns Sonny’s “thanks, big time” and even gains the respect of his father Lorenzo — played by Andrew Fehrenbacher — who affirms Cologero did the right thing by “clamming up.”
But as Sonny begins to take C under his wing, teaching him all the ropes and running errands for him, Dad becomes alarmed and ends Act I with a warning song that “These Streets” can teach you things that will change your values and get you into trouble with the law.
In Act II, eight years have passed and C is now a street-smart teen, played by fine actor-singer-dancer Sage Spiker. At this point C is completely in awe of Sonny, with his easy money, flashy cars, numerous girlfriends and sharp clothes, all of which he details in dialogue and song. C’s Dad on the other hand is the exact opposite — a working stiff who has nothing to show for his hard work as a bus driver. This difference results in a kind of tug of war for Cologero’s soul.
Later in Act II, there is also a “Westside Story” kind of theme introduced when Cologero gets smitten by a beautiful black girl named Jane, played by Charis Michelle Gullage. Jane is a girl from his high school class. In most metropolitan cities, blacks and whites do not mix outside of school. Neighborhoods keep to their own, and if there is a mix, it usually results in a “turf war.”
That is basically the storyline of “A Bronx Tale,” but as a musical fable it adds up to two solid hours of refreshingly great fun, giving the audience a mix of rock, doo-wop and jazz to a story that is real. Choreography that sizzles and characters a lot of us know from childhood, added to great direction that keeps the action moving at a big city tempo. The show is also delivered by a first-rate cast that is equal to any Broadway production. All I can add is “thanks for the memory” and a fabulous evening of theater. Bottom line, if you are up for a dazzling, fast paced Broadway show then “A Bronx Tale” is for you.
Start the ball rolling by making reservations now. Call the box office at 239-278-4422 as soon as possible since once word gets out, this show will sell out! “A Bronx Tale” is only playing till May 22. Remember when you phone to tell ’em Marsha sent you.