Friday, November 11, 2022

Day 382 A Bronx Tale, One Man Show-Palminteri’s Tale- Those Who Mold Us

 



 In this one one man stage play, actor Chazz Palminteri born, Calogero Lornezo Palminteri, brings to life 18 characters.  It is his narrative of growing up in a tough New York neighborhood in the 1960’s where the flashy Italian Mob ruled the streets. In contrast, the working man had just enough money to make ends meet.  I did not know that the 1993 film, "A Bronx Tale" was born out of Palminteri’s one man show with the same name. He also wrote the hit "Bronx Tale-The Musical" which debuted in 2016.  This is one powerful story that can successfully capture so many genres. Maybe it is so impactful because it resonates with the relational influences in our young lives, our heroes and those who help mold us into adults.


Palminteri, Sonny in film

 

 Reflection

 Palminteri was able to capture the entire movie. I was amazed as he   played a 9-year-old Calogero, sitting on his stoop witnessing a murder.   Then he transformed into the mob leader, Sonny, the perpetrator.  Palminteri was able to narrate or become all the characters and with a   clap of his hands, he transported us to the next scene.  Bronx Tale is so   potent because it is his story.  Transfixed, I experienced his life with   him.

 Bronx Tale is not just a gangster story but one that reveals the heart of   two very different men idolized by Calogero.  Sonny was the gangster   with the pinkie ring who the neighborhood feared. His father was a   bus driver who was loved by all his patrons. Both his heroes, both loved   him, but both taught different life lessons.  Sonny, “The working man is  sucker. He’ll end up the loser in the end.” His father, “The saddest thing in life is wasted talent.” 

I thought about the fathers that influenced my young life and some of the lessons taught by their words and examples.  My stepdad, a life learner, “You can never lose if you invest in your mind.” My best friend’s father, a minister, “Read your Bible. You will learn something new every time.”

A Bronx Tale is just a story, Palminteri’s story of life in the Bronx. It could be any of our stories. Yes, his maybe flashier but it is also heartfelt and real. It sparks reflection on personal stories, heroes and those that helped to mold us into adults.

(A Bronx Tale, one man show, Nov 11 and 12, 2022 at the  Byham Theater, Pittsburgh. Touring schedule here )

Spiritual reflection

“O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you, our potter. We are all formed by the work of your hand.” Isaiah 64:8

Other sources:

Bronx Tale-One Man Show https://chazzpalminteri.net/pages/a-bronx-tale-schedule

Bronx Tale-the movie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCESo7q8lW4

 Bronx Tale- The Musical https://abronxtalethemusical.com