A BRONX TALE Plays The Oriental Theatre March 10-22, 2009

Broadway In Chicago will present A Bronx Tale, written by and starring Academy Award®-nominated actor Chazz Palminteri.  This funny and touching memoir will play at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre for a limited engagement March 10 – 22, 2009.

A Bronx Tale is produced by GO Productions.  Set design is by James Noone, lighting design is by Paul Gallo, and original music and sound design is by John Gromada.  Mr. Palminteri's wardrobe is supplied by Italian menswear designer ISAIA.

Academy Award®-nominated actor Chazz Palminteri returns to the stage in an unforgettable performance fresh from a successful run on Broadway, where it was praised by the critics and adored by the public. In A Bronx Tale, the celebrated play on which he based the legendary movie, Palminteri vividly depicts a young boy's rough childhood in the 1960s-era Bronx and the unforgettable people he encountered. A classic coming-of-age story about reaching ones true potential and trusting one's heart, A Bronx Tale is directed by four-time Tony Award®-winner Jerry Zaks.

A Bronx Tale was first mounted off Broadway in 1989 and helped establish Palminteri as a writer and actor with a distinct voice.  In A Bronx Tale, Palminteri brings 18 characters to vivid life, depicting a rough childhood on Bronx streets populated by a cast of friends and enemies. This production of A Bronx Tale directed by Tony Award-winner Jerry Zaks opened on Broadway at the Walter Kerr Theatre, quickly becoming one of the few bona fide hits of the 2007-2008 Broadway season.

Chazz Palminteri's tour de force performance on Broadway last season was heralded by critics and audiences. Charles Isherwood of The New York Times called it "a rejuvenating act of faith in the powers of acting and storytelling."           

The Associated Press described A Bronx Tale as "enormously entertaining.  A vibrant, warmhearted saga.  Palminteri conjures up a parade of appealing characters with humor, great affection and more than a little heartbreak."

During the original Off Broadway and subsequent Los Angeles engagements of A Bronx Tale, Palminteri caught the attention of studios, producers and directors – all of whom wanted to make the film version – without him. Palminteri turned down a million dollar offer for the film rights, despite having $200 in his bank account at the time. Then, Robert DeNiro came to see the show, and brought the story and star Palminteri to the screen in 1993, making his directorial debut in the process. 

Performances of A Bronx Tale are as follows:

Tuesday, March 10 at 8 p.m.

Wednesday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 12 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, March 13 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, March 14 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Sunday, March 15 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 17 at 7:30 p.m

Wednesday, March 18 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m

Thursday, March 19 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, March 20 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, March 21 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Sunday, March 22 at 2 p.m.

Tickets range in price from $18 to $80 and will go on-sale to the public at a later date to be announced.  Groups of 20 or more can make reservations now, by calling (312) 977-1710.

For more information visit www.ABronxTaleTour.com or www.BroadwayInChicago.com

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