A BRONX TALE Previews — Page 3

Not surprised by these early comments, but more concerned than ever that Jerry Zaks has been handed the directing reins on HELLO, DOLLY! Yes, it's an old-fashioned show, but in the best sense, and while it doesn't necessarily need a lot of shtick added to it, a brilliant comic director like John Rando would have been a much more interesting choice.

A Director said: "BroadwayConcierge -

I bet there are theatre fans asking,

I still don't understand why WAR PAINT should be on Broadway right now. Can anybody make the case for why this story, this music is pertinent? I've just never had such little interest in seeing something."

The difference between shows like War Paint and Bronx to me is one comes from a place of creativity and dedication to the form of theater and Bronx comes from commerce and the need to wring every last cent out of an idea that started in earnest. Bronx was an off Broadway monologue, turned successful movie then returned as a Broadway monologue and now a musical. Watching its gestation with the swapping out of its composer lyricist for the very commercial Menkin it felt as if the whole thing had been created in a talent agents office. Add to that the cashing in on the Jersey Boys crowd and you have a show that you hope will prove these preconceptions wrong with some real inspired musical comedy creation. Add to that it's success at The Paper Mill which has been responsible for yeoman like yet not very inspiring but professionally done B'Way transfers and you continue down that rabbit hole.

ACL2006 said: "So Papermill's going to have two flops this season? Maybe they should stop producing new musicals.



I'm sorry, but I'm just not understanding the negativity here. First of all, it's not fair to say A BRONX TALE is a flop at this point. It JUST began performances and was a massive success at Paper Mill (where performances were added due to demand). I completely agree with Whizzer; A BRONX TALE is clearly a passion project for the creators. It's Chazz Palmentiri's life story and in my opinion, I think it makes for a wonderful musical. Again, it's also completely unfair to say that BANDSTAND will be a flop. It's been OVER A YEAR since the Paper Mill run and they've rewritten much of the material. And I have to ask, why should Paper Mill stop producing new musicals? Can't we be thankful that we have an amazing theatre like Paper Mill that contributes to the theatrical landscape? Of course you have the right to have an opinion but it's kind of silly to assume both will be flops. I wish both of these productions long and successful runs on Broadway.

Updated On: 11/6/16 at 02:22 PM

I did not think Bandstand was a flop at all at Papermill. I thought the book was far superior to A Bronx Tale and I respected the tone of the show so much. I will invest more of my money and time to see this transfer. Cott's performance alone deserves a second look. He was terrific.

Love their new promo video that's floating around...

jayinchelsea said: "Not surprised by these early comments, but more concerned than ever that Jerry Zaks has been handed the directing reins on HELLO, DOLLY! Yes, it's an old-fashioned show, but in the best sense, and while it doesn't necessarily need a lot of shtick added to it, a brilliant comic director like John Rando would have been a much more interesting choice."



I thought Jerry Zaks did a very good job with his direction on Guys and Dolls, Funny Thing Happened, and Sister Act; not so much his La Cage Aux Folles revival from 2004 (though I blame over-produced production and miscast Albin for that dull mess mostly). I personally think he'll do fine with Hello, Dolly! and Warren Carlyle is the choreographer for that revival so there's something to fall back on in case Jerry Zaks does a mysteriously bad job with it.

Was able to get a rush ticket for $39 2 hours before last nights show. Ticket was in the balcony, third row center right in front of a skinny pole (restricted view). Had to lean to either side to catch the action on stage but I got used to it after 15 minutes. The theater was full, and mostly comprised of an older crowd (40s+) and mostly seemed like locals from Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. The people I overheard last night all seemed to be enjoying the show, however I didn't care for it. The story and music could have been better. I was not bored or sleepy watching it, but nothing in the show stood out to me as particularly entertaining. There was not one moment in the show that got me excited or gave me chills. The closest was the Act 1 Finale. I don't blame the talent, I blame the material. The acting was pretty good with what the talent had to work with. Would not recommend seeing it unless you are paying $39 like I did.

Went this morning for Rush. Showed up at 9am and there was nobody there. Went and got a coffee and came back at 930, still nobody. One other person showed up around 950 before box office opened.

Got two tickets Orchestra Row E all the way to the side, stamped partial view.

Anyone know if Row E has a far side aisle or is it blocked by a wall?

Sir Paul McCartney was in the audience tonight!

its like someone took Jersey Boys, Memphis and West Side Story and put it in a blender, and not in a good way, also the race stuff is handled poorly and the book is a mess, if this is still running by march ill be very surprised

Just saw the show tonight. I think this was probably one of my least favorite things I have ever seen on Broadway. I thought the score was so embarrassingly cheesy and not even in a campy way. I was stunned. One of the first songs is the father and C tossing a baseball back and forth as the father sings about like looking into your heart. Barf. If that wasn't enough, throughout the show more and more characters sing about the same exact thing in completely unoriginal and uninspired ways. This show has an interesting plot in theory, but I found myself not caring about any of the characters nor what happened to them. (Disclaimer! I am not familiar with any of the source material and went into this show with absolutely no prior knowledge nor expectations). I also found it so odd when Nick Cordero's tough gangster character started singing about finding your great love. It seemed completely out of character and bizarre. Obviously this is all just my opinion, but I really am shocked that this made it to Broadway. I am very nervous to see what Hello, Dolly! will be like now (unless all my qualms with the show were De Niro's ideas).

BroadwayConcierge said: "Me neither, neon. I've only seen the Playbill cover, which I maintain looks like people running away frantically from the show's logo.





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And they're absolutely doing the right thing!