Abronxtale 2024 Header

A Bronx Tale: A One Man Show starring Chazz Palminteri

In 1988, Chazz Palminteri (The Usual Suspects) wrote a one-man show about a killing he saw in the Bronx when he was nine years old. It became a hit and the most sought after property since Rocky. This is the original one-man show he wrote that made him an in-demand character actor and served as the basis of the acclaimed movie and Broadway musical.

Bronx-born and raised Chazz Palminteri wrote A Bronx Tale in 1988. The powerful one-man stage play depicted his bruising childhood which included witnessing a gangland killing when he was nine years old. Palminteri played 18 characters and brought them all to life in his autobiographical play. His friends, enemies and family came alive on stage. Hollywood Studios went crazy after seeing it and offered him millions of dollars to turn it into a major movie. There was one catch… They wanted to put a star in the role of Sonny and someone else to write the screenplay. With $200 dollars in the bank…Palminteri said No… he would hold out and wait. He wanted to play Sonny and write the screenplay. Then one night Palminteri walked into his dressing room and sitting there was Robert De Niro who just saw the show.  Robert DeNiro gave Palminteri the chance he was waiting for… And as they say in Hollywood the rest is history.

Palminteri wrote the screenplay for the film A Bronx Tale and then most recently wrote the book for the Broadway Musical. It was the first time in history that the same actor wrote the one-man play, the movie, and the Broadway Musical and starred in each one.

In the past 35 years, Chazz has appeared in over 60 films.  To name a few – The Usual Suspects, Analyze This, Mulholland Falls, Jade, Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, Legend, and Bullets over Broadway,  which he was nominated for an Academy Award.  He has starred in over 20 television series and has won 3 Emmy’s. Chazz is most recently seen in Modern Family, Godfather of Harlem, Law & Order and Gravesend.

Our Mission

Mayo Performing Arts Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, presents a wide range of programs that entertain, enrich, and educate the diverse population of the region and enhance the economic vitality of Northern New Jersey.

Sign up to receive all the latest news from MPAC

MPAC is grateful to the following donors whose major support helps to sustain the general operating needs of our organization:

Fmkirby Discover Jersey Arts New Jersey State Council on the Arts Morris County NJ
New Jersey Cultural Trust Jacobs Levy Equity Management The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation
By continuing to browse, you consent to our use of cookies. To know more, please refer to our Privacy Policy.
Live Chat