A Bronx Tale

Chazz Palminteri was a young, out-of-work actor in 1989 when he wrote the play that changed his life. “I said, ‘If they won’t give me a part, I’ll write one myself.’ I went to the store, got five pads of yellow paper and started writing A Bronx Tale.” Based on his own life, the one-man show is wrapped around a boy growing up in the Bronx, mentored by both his honest, hardworking father and a not-so–honest, though equally hardworking, Mafia boss. The success of the show launched Palminteri’s career and attracted Robert De Niro, who starred in the movie version. “Twenty years later, and I’ve done 60 movies, but everyone still talks about Bronx Tale,” Palminteri says. “I realized there was a whole new generation that hadn’t seen the original one-man show.” And “original” accurately describes the touring show Palminteri is bringing to Houston. “It’s the same exact show I did in ‘89. The only thing different is that it’s better. As an actor I’m better. Before, I was always the little boy talking to the father; now I’m the father talking to the little boy. If you loved Bronx Tale the movie, you’re going to love the play even more because I am the guy.” 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sundays. Through February 8. Hobby Center, Sarofim Hall, 800 Bagby. For information, call 713-622-7469 or visit www.broadwayacrossamerica.com/houston. $18 to $50.

Feb. 3-8, 2009

This article appears in Jan 29 – Feb 4, 2009.