All-Star Creative Team Brings A Bronx Tale to the Stage

Summer at Starlight is off to a great start with audiences already enjoying numerous Broadway and concert selections under the stars in Swope Park. Next, the crowd-pleasing hit musical A Bronx Tale transports Starlight’s 2019 AdventHealth Broadway Series from the heart of Kansas City to the stoops of the Bronx in the 1960s, July 31-August 4 only.

A Bronx Tale tells the story of a young man who is caught between the father he loves and the mob boss he’d love to be. Based on the critically acclaimed play that inspired the now classic film, this straight-from-Broadway production has been described as “Jersey Boys meets West Side Story” by AM New York. But did you know that this little-known musical was brought to life by an all-star creative team?

Chazz Palminteri, known for his roles in Bullets Over Broadway, The Usual Suspects, and most recently for his recurring role as Shorty in TV’s “Modern Family,” originally wrote A Bronx Tale as a semi-autobiographical, one-man play in the late 1980s. He starred as Sonny in the 1993 film version alongside Robert De Niro, and wrote a new book for the musical version of A Bronx Tale, which opened on Broadway in 2016.

Academy Award-winner Robert De Niro saw A Bronx Tale when it first premiered in New York off-Broadway, and approached Palminteri about turning the show into a film—which was his directorial debut. De Niro directed the musical production of A Bronx Tale alongside Broadway veteran Jerry Zaks. Zaks won the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical for Guys and Dolls in 1992 and was most recently nominated for his 2017 revival of Hello, Dolly!

Alan Menken, the eight-time Academy Award winner and composer of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and Pocahontas composed A Bronx Tale alongside Tony Award nominee and lyricist Glen Slater, wrote the music for the production.

The most recent Tony Award winner for best choreography for his work on Ain’t Too Proud, Sergio Trujillo, choreographed A Bronx Tale for Broadway and the tour. His past works include On Your Feet! and Jersey Boys, for which he also received Tony Award nominations, as well as audience-favorite shows like The Addams Family and Memphis.

Still not convinced? Check out a sneak peek of the show and interviews with these creative team members below!