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.
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| 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