Mr. De Niro is co-directing the musical with Jerry Zaks, who also helmed the 2011 Broadway production of “Sister Act” and the 2004 Broadway production of “La Cage aux Folles”, among other work. Acting icon Robert De Niro will co-direct A Bronx Tale: The Musical, with stage veteran Jerry Zaks.
Advertisement
The show had its world premiere in February at New Jersey’s Paper Mill Playhouse. After making my directorial debut with the film, Im excited that my Broadway directorial debut, alongside Jerry Zaks, will bring this special story to new audiences.
Featuring a book by Chazz Palminteri, music by Alan Menken (Aladdin) and lyrics by Glenn Slater (Aladdin, School of Rock), A Bronx Tale is inspired by the real life story of Palminteri.
For the musical, he adapted his own script, and recruited Academy Award-winner Alan Menken to compose the music and Grammy victor Glenn Slater the lyrics.
Meanwhile, U.K. company Complicite’s “The Encounter” joins Broadway’s play lineup after winning strong reviews out of its Edinburgh premiere and subsequent runs in London and on an worldwide tour. The streetwise musical will take you to the stoops of the Bronx in the 1960s-where a young man is caught between the father he loves and the mob boss he’d love to be. The show is produced by Tommy Mottola and the Dodgers with Tribeca Productions.
No casting was announced but the show is expected to star Nick Cordero, who was nominated for a Tony for Bullets Over Broadway, He is now a member of the cast of Waitress.
Check out Broadway.com’s interview with De Niro and the Paper Mill company below.
“When I first saw Chazz Palminteri in Bullets Over Broadway I was mesmerized”, Menken said.
Advertisement
Casting for the Broadway run has yet to be announced, but the production begins previews on November 3 at the Longacre Theatre, with the official opening night set for December 1.
