Opened: October 14, 2018

Book by: Chazz Palminteri

Music by: Alan Menken

Lyrics by: Glenn Slater

Original Tour Cast: Joey Barreiro, Joe Barbara, Richard H. Blake, Michelle Aravena, Brianna-Marie Bell, Antonio Beverly, Shane Pry, Brigg Liberman, Mike Backes, Michael Barra, Sean Bell, Joshua Michael Barrage, Joey Calveri, Giovanni DiGabrielle, Alex Dorf, John Gardiner, Peter Gregus, Haley Hannah, Kirk Lydell, Ashley McManus, Christopher Messina, Robert Pieranunzi, Brandi Porter, Kyli Rae, Paul Salvatoriello, Brittany Williams & Jason Williams

Based off of the movie that was Robert De Niro’s directorial debut, A Bronx Tale is rough around the edges with a sweet center.

Calogero (Joey Barreiro) tells the story of his upbringing and the gangster Sonny (Joe Barbara) who took a liking to him. Calogero continually goes against his dad’s (Richard H. Blake) beliefs as he sticks by Sonny and falls for a black girl named Jane (Brianna-Marie Bell).

Set against a 1960s backdrop, this feels a bit like Jersey Boys meets The Departed. The two acts feel like two separate shows as the majority of the first revolves around a young Calogero and Sonny, while a majority of the second act revolves around him and Jane.

The love story in the second act doesn’t feel quite developed, but it is beautiful.

Final say: I like it. ★★★☆☆