Jeff Brooks News

Cortland Repertory Theatre presents the rollicking comedy The Complete Work of William Shakespeare Abridged in their temporary outdoor summer venue at the Little York Pavilion, 6799 Little York Lake Road in Preble, NY. 

Growing up unscathed in the Bronx in the 1960s was not easy. Young men had to deal with racial tensions as well as violent crime. Academy Award-nominated actor Chazz Palminteri somehow made it out successfully and, in 1989, wrote a one-man play chronicling his experiences. It did so well that Robert DeNiro bought the rights and made his directorial debut with the 1993 film that also starred Palminteri. After a ten-year development process, Palminteri's story, A Bronx Tale, was made into a musical and opened on Broadway in 2016. A dream team of creatives created a show that boasts music by Alan Menken (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast), lyrics by Glenn Slater (The Little Mermaid, Sister Act), co-direction by Jerry Zaks (Guys and Dolls, Sister Act), and choreography by Sergio Trujillo (The Addams Family, Jersey Boys, Ain't Too Proud).

America's obsession with the Mafia began long ago, after the Great Depression plunged many into poverty and the world saw how the a?oefamilya?? took care of its own. Popular movies like a?oeThe Godfathera?? and a?oeScarfacea?? further solidified our collective fascination with all things mob-related. In 1989, a little-known actor named Chazz Palminteri introduced his one-man play about his own experience with a Mafia boss in the Bronx. Many years later, that play blossomed into a movie and then a musical on Broadway and, now, a national tour that stops in Sacramento beginning March 3. A Bronx Tale tells the story of young Calogero and his gangster mentor, Sonny. Jeff Brooks, who plays the role of Sonny on the tour, recently spoke with Broadway World Sacramento about racial tensions, his Mafia roles, and the beauty of an open bar.

Now performing at the Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater as part of the Famous Artists Broadway Theater Series: Broadway in Syracuse is the touring production of A Bronx Tale the Musical. The musical features a book by Chazz Palminteri, music by Alan Menken, and lyrics by Glenn Slater. This touring production features a dynamite cast with stellar vocals that mesmerized the audience.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts and NETworks Presentations has announced full casting for the 2019-2020 North American Tour of A BRONX TALE, the new musical featuring a book by Academy Award nominee Chazz Palminteri, music by Oscar, Grammy and Tony Award winner Alan Menken, and lyrics by Grammy Award winner and Oscar and Tony Award nominee Glenn Slater. The show will play Segerstrom Hall March 10 - 22, 2020.

The Washington Pavilion will welcome the North American Tour of A BRONX TALE: THE MUSICAL to Sioux Falls on February 8-10 for three performances. The show features 2015 a?oeAmerican Idola?? winner Nick Fradiani as one of the lead cast members.

Until February 2nd, you catch the 2016 Broadway hit A Bronx Tale at Detroit's Fisher Theatre. Based on the play of the same name, A Bronx Tale features a book by Chazz Palminteri, lyrics by Glenn Slater, and music by Alan Menken.

If you like your coming-of-age-on-the-mean-streets stories served with an extra side of red sauce, then Chazz Palminteri's semi-autobiographical A BRONX TALE is for you. Featuring characters with names like Rudy the Voice, Eddie Mush, Jojo the Whale and Frankie Coffeecake, this musical adaptation of Palminteri's acclaimed movie, later made into a one-man Broadway play in which Palminteri also starred, pits the young Calogero (Trey Murphy) in a tug of war between his upstanding blue collar Dad, Lorenzo (American Idol winner Nick Fradiani), and the flashy mob boss Sonny (Jeff Brooks) whom the newly dubbed a?oeCa?? idolizes.

A BRONX TALE will play at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) February 21 - 23, 2020. A BRONX TALE features a book by Academy Award nominee Chazz Palminteri, music by Oscar, Grammy and Tony Award winner Alan Menken, and lyrics by Grammy Award winner and Oscar and Tony Award nominee Glenn Slater.

Every decade has a quintessential musical associated with it: Guys and Dolls for the 30s, Jersey Boys for the 50s. For the 1960's, A Bronx Tale is that musical.

A Bronx Tale had a one-night performance in Jacksonville November 13 and audiences loved it! The musical, based on the 1993 movie of the same name, follows Calogero. Calorgero is 8 years old and sees, what can only be described as traumatic to an 8-year-old. After this traumatic experience a man named Sonny takes him under his wing and teaches him the ways of the neighborhood. A Bronx Tale is filled with wonderful music by Alan Menken, great talent, and an intriguing story.

Audiences might be familiar with the 1993 film, a?oeA Bronx Tale,a?? which was directed by and starred Robert De Niro. It's the tale of a young man growing up in the Bronx in the 1960s who is torn between his father and the Mafia boss who takes him under his wing. The film also featured its writer, Chazz Palminteri, and was based on his one-man play of the same name. The musical A BRONX TALE was adapted by Palminteri from that play over the course of a decade and opened on Broadway in 2016. It is this production that is at DPAC this week, as a stop on its second national tour.

NETworks Presentations announces the 2019a?'2020 North American Tour of A BRONX TALE will launch at the Palace Theater in Waterbury with performances October 22 through 24, starring 2015 American Idol winner Nick Fradiani in the role of Lorenzo. Tickets may be purchased at the Box office by calling 203.346.2000, online at www.palacetheaterct.org or in person at100 East Main Street, Waterbury.

Today's top stories: casting has been announced for the Broadway production of Company, and more!

Today's top stories: read reviews for The Sound Inside and Little Shop of Horrors, and more!

The 2019-2020 North American Tour of A Bronx Tale, the new musical featuring a book by Academy Award nominee Chazz Palminteri, music by Oscar, Grammy and Tony Award winner Alan Menken, and lyrics by Grammy Award winner and Oscar and Tony Award nominee Glenn Slater, is about to hit the road! Check out photos from inside rehearsals below!

Full casting has been announced for the 2019a?"2020 North American Tour of A BRONX TALE. Completing the cast is Martin Bonventre, Hallie Brevetti, Lauren Celentano, Tyler Dema, Bryan Dougherty, Adam Grabau, Mairys Joaquin, Breia Kelley, Christopher Miles, Brett Pederson, Dan Rosenbaum, Benjamin Sears, Mark Sippel, Johanna Taylor, Shaun Leslie Thomas, Joey Trombino, Darius Vines, Rhys Williams and Nathan Wright.

NETworks Presentations announces the 2019–2020 North American Tour of A BRONX TALE will launch at the Palace Theater in Waterbury with performances October 22 through 24, starring 2015 American Idol winner Nick Fradiani in the role of Lorenzo.  Tickets may be purchased at the Box office by calling 203.346.2000, online at www.palacetheaterct.org or in person at100 East Main Street, Waterbury.