Score is the Star of "A Bronx Tale"

Loosely autobiographical, Chazz Palminteri’s “A Bronx Tale” has been a play (first in 1989 and then in 2007) and a movie and is now a musical at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. Robert DeNiro starred with Palminteri in the movie and now shares directing credit with Jerry Zaks on the musical version.

The recycled plot, an Italian-American coming of age tale set in a 1960s Bronx neighborhood, revolves around Calogero (Joey Barreiro), also the musical’s narrator, who as a boy witnesses a murder committed by Sonny (Joe Barbara), the neighborhood’s reigning mob boss. Calogero, under the guidance of his parents, refuses to rat out Sonny, earning his gratitude and friendship.

What follows is Calogero’s conflicting feelings about the two male role models in his life – Lorenzo (Richard H. Blake), his working class bus driving father who believes “the saddest thing in life is wasted talent” and Sonny, the gangster who takes him under his wing, shortens his name to “C” and believes “the working man’s a sucker.”

Zaks adds in bits of comedy that work well, including the introduction of Sonny’s mob by posing for mug shots. There’s an interracial romance with Jane (Brianna-Marie Bell) who goes to the same school as Calogero but lives a few blocks over in the black neighborhood.

The score by Disney composer Alan Menken with lyrics by Glenn Slater is the shining star of “A Bronx Tale.” “I Like It” by 9-year old Calogero (Frankie Leoni/Shane Pry, nearly stealing the show); “One of the Great Ones,” Sonny’s Sinatra style ode to women and “Out of Your Head” by Jane and Calogero are standout performances.

“A Bronx Tale” fits into a fast moving 2 hours, but the second act feels a bit rushed and scattered. If you liked “Jersey Boys” and are a “Sopranos” fan you will love “A Bronx Tale.”

Now playing at The Pantages Theatre, through November 25. Tickets at www.hollywoodpantages.com.