A Bronx Tale: One Man Show - CHAZZ PALMINTERI
by Karen Pecota

I was privileged to witness the live performance of A Bronx Tale: One Man Show by actor Chazz Palminteri during this year’s Tribeca Festival. I wasn’t initially privy to its significant impact on and connection with the celebration of the 2024 Tribeca Festival festivities honoring Robert De Niro’s career. Upon learning about the story’s evolution, I was so proud to have been in attendance at a memorable performance.

In 1988, Chazz Palminteri wrote a one man play about an incident while growing up in his Bronx neighborhood. He was witness to a brutal killing at the age of nine.

Palminteri’s Bronx neighborhood was a tough place in the 50s, and, actually to this day, the area hasn’t lost that touch es. Palminteri’s streetwise upbringing and the life the lessons he learned would come to serve him well toward a destiny of greatness both as a thespian and as a person. His filmography accomplishments alone are worth noting.

After graduating from high school, Palminteri began to fine-tune his skill as an actor while studying at the Actor’s Studio. In the 80s he worked performances Off-Broadway while supporting himself with various gigs. In 1986, he headed west to explore his career options and found that his portrayal of a tough-guy opened the door for several jobs with roles in film and television.

The 1988 Palminteri wrote a play for himself as an autobiographical piece, called A Bronx Tale: One Man Show for the stage; his detailed story of traumatic childhood experiences that could have changed his destiny. He brings eighteen characters to life in his performance—his friends, family, and enemies. Palminteri has performed the show for years both in Los Angeles and New York.

Robert De Niro had wanted to try his hand at film directing and looked earnestly for the right project for a directorial debut. Witnessing Palminteri perform his show he was convinced Palminteri’s story was the one to tell. Palminteri was honored that Robert De Niro, his film icon, would consider his story as a filmmaking debut; but there were details to consider.

Palminteri’s successful theatrical performance gave him leverage to hang onto his stage rights and allowed him to request that if the film was to be made, he be granted the role of Sonny, and that he would write the screenplay. De Niro was in full support of Palminter’s wishes and became a mentor and guide through the process. In 1993, the film was released and both De Niro and Palminteri enjoyed renowned success adding to both men’s stardom.

This short backstory is simply a tribute to a fascinating career both De Niro and Palminteri share through personal storytelling that has developed over time collaborating on more projects together. It is no wonder that the live performance of A Bronx Tale: One Man Show by Chazz Palminteri was the opening act that the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival chose to honor the amazing career of Robert De Niro; and to showcase Chazz Palminteri in his ongoing live performance. This special evening was his 1,030th live performance since 1989.

Palminteri shared many aspects of his story in the Q&A. One remarkable thing he notes was that De Niro wanted the film to be truly authentic. In making this happen, there were only three professional actors in the film and the rest of the cast were real guys from the original Bronx neighborhood. Truly remarkable authenticity was performed.