A Bronx Tale

When Chazz Palminteri debuted his one-man show Off Broadway in 1989, the established actor could not have foreseen that his performance would be seen by Robert De Niro when the production moved to Los Angeles. De Niro went on to make his directorial debut in 1993 in a film version of Palminteri's semi-autobiographical account of his life in 1960s New York City. He went on to give is work get the full on musical theatre treatment in 2016. (Palminteri also performed his show in Providence several years ago.)

The musical "A Bronx Tale" has an incredibly impressive round of talent behind it, not only Palminteri, but multiple Oscar, Grammy and Tony award winner Alan Menken ("Beauty and the Beast" "The Little Mermaid") and lyricist Glenn Slater. Only in Providence for a brief 3-day run, "Tale" was a sentimental, upbeat and energetic show that follows teenage Calogero (Trey Murphy), the son of bus driver Lorenzo (Nick Fradiani, 2015 "American Idol" winner) who loves his dad, but is fascinated by local mobster Sonny (Adam Grabau.)

When Calogero witnesses Sonny killing a man; he doesn't rat on him. For this Sonny shows his gratitude by taking him under his wing, and brings the kid into a craps game, where he wins some serious money. Calogero is hooked, but Lorenzo and his wife Rosina (Stephanie Londino) find his money, which is promptly brought to the club and returned to Sonny. Telling the mobsters to keep away from his son, Lorenzo also forbids his kid to hang out with them.

Flash forward to years later when Calogero is a young man, played by a delightful Alec Nevin who is "working" for Sonny. With maturity comes the inevitable interest in girls, and one of his schoolmates, in particular, Jane (Kayla Jenerson) notices him back. Trouble is, it's 1968 and she's black, and young Italians don't mix with other races. Her friends tell her to stay away, his family tells him it's a bad idea, culminating in a fight one evening where Jane's brother gets beat up by the Italians. The show has its dramatic moments, to be sure, but they're fleeting and at its center a grand story of family and loyalties of friendships.

Grabau is fascinating to watch as the charismatic Sonny; Fradiani also shows that he can act as well as belt a tune. Jenerson is full of energy as Calogero's love interest and Murphy as the younger man commands the stage in his brief time onstage. But what's the most fun to watch is the choreography by Brittany Conigatti, which recreates the original dance work by Sergio Trujillo. Tour director Stephen Edlund keeps a tight pace on this wonderful show, which is filled with delightful moments, memorable music and some solid performances.

"A Bronx Tale" completed its run at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) 220 Weybosset Street, Providence, RI. 02903. For information or tickets call 401-421-2787 or visit www.ppacri.org.