Robert De Niro Saw the Potential for A Bronx Tale Musical and Made It Happen

Playbill's Olivia Clement presents this fascinating piece, which explores the reasons that attracted Robert De Niro to Broadway's newest musical, A Bronx Tale.

In the late 1980s, Chazz Palminteri first performed his one-man show A Bronx Tale in Los Angeles. The show transferred to the now-closed Playhouse 91 Off-Broadway and quickly began to garner critical buzz. Among those who went to see it during its short run, was Robert De Niro. He immediately recognized the potential for a screen adaptation and just a few years later, the show inspired the film of the same name. At the helm, was De Niro making his directorial debut.

“In every project, there’s always that one person that makes something happen,” says Palminteri. “They put it on their back and they make it happen. When I did the one-man show it was me; with the movie, it was Bob De Niro…[he] pushed it through.”

Now, decades later, two-time Oscar winner De Niro returns to the timeless New York City story, and says he has long-been convinced of its potential to be a great American musical... READ MORE