Oscar winner Robert De Niro and multiple Tony winner Jerry Zaks will co-direct a musical adaption of Chazz Palminteri‘s autobiographical play-turned-film A Bronx Tale, slated to open at Broadway‘s Longacre Theatre on December 1, following previews to begin November 3. The new musical will feature a book by Palminteri, music by multiple Oscar winner Alan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater (School Of Rock The Musical), with choreography by Sergio Trujillo (On Your Feet!). The show will be produced by Tommy Mottola and the Dodgers, with Tribeca Productions.
Casting will be announced soon.
“A Bronx Tale has always had a very special meaning to me and I always thought it had great potential to be a musical,” De Niro said in the announcement of the show. “After making my directorial debut with the film, I’m excited that my Broadway directorial debut, alongside Jerry Zaks, will bring this special story to new audiences. Jerry is a great person and I’ve already learned a lot working with him.”
The show had its world premiere in February at New Jersey’s Paper Mill Playhouse. Based on Palminteri’s one-man show that inspired the now classic film, the show is set on the stoops of the Bronx in the 1960s, where the hero is caught between the father he loves and the mob boss he’d love to be. Featuring a doo-wop score, it’s described as a tale about respect, loyalty, love and family.
The design team includes Beowulf Boritt, sets; William Ivey Long, costumes; Howell Binkley, lighting; Gareth Owen, sound; Tara Rubin Casting; music supervision and arrangements by Ron Melrose, orchestrations by Doug Besterman and musical direction by Jonathan Smith.
“When I first saw Chazz Palminteri in Bullets Over Broadway I was mesmerized,” Menken said. “Who is this guy? Then I saw both the one-man show and the movie of A Bronx Tale and I knew. It’s brought me back to my Little Shop Of Horrors roots, channeling the rich musical styles of late ‘50s and early ‘60s pop music. And I love it!”
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