Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The world premiere of A BRONX TALE: THE MUSICAL at Paper Mill is a diverting, workmanlike effort

• By drediman
• February 28, 2016
• No Comments

Last week, I journeyed down to Millburn, NJ to catch the world premiere of A Bronx Tale: The Musical at the Paper Mill Playhouse. The show is the musical adaptation of Chazz Palminteri’s popular memory play of the same name, which was also turned into a feature film. This handsomely mounted musical version brings to mind such Broadway classics as West Side Story, Jersey Boys, and Hairspray. Although A Bronx Tale: The Musical is undeniably entertaining and an utterly professional effort, it fails to ignite the same kind of effortless excitement that the musicals it tries so hard to emulate do.

The musical is efficiently co-directed by Robert De Niro (yes, that Robert De Niro) and Jerry Zaks and features fluid choreography by Sergio Trujillo. But in its current state, the musical lacks the danger and sense of urgency needed to make this story of family and gangsters truly sing. Too much of the musical feels cookie-cutter, including Beowulf Boritt’s set sets, which seems to draw direct inspiration from the original designs of In the Heights and Newsies. That being said, Alan Menken’s score (Glenn Slater provided the serviceable, by-the-books lyrics) is one of his strongest, most inspired efforts in recent memory. I have a feeling that songs like “One of the Great Ones” will find a life beyond the show. Not surprisingly, Chazz Palminteri provided the dutiful book.

The cast is very good, if a bit on the bland side. As the young Calogero, Joshua Colley is spunky but perhaps too polished in the role. He does, however, possess a strikingly angelic voice. As the older Calogero and the show’s narrator, Jason Gotay is easy on the eyes and ears. Ultimately, though, his workmanlike performance, which is emblematic of the overall production, fails to compel as the musical’s leading man. Only the fabulous Nick Cordero – who seems to get better and better with each successive role – in the role of Sonny registers as authentic.

RECOMMENDED

A BRONX TALE: THE MUSICAL
Regional, Musical
Paper Mill Playhouse (Millburn, NJ)
2 hours (with one intermission)
Through March 6