A Bronx Tale (Broadway)

See it if You want a good story that is well staged. I liked it more than I expected. Music is weakest part except one number. Acting was very good.

Don't see it if You need perfection or hated the movie. It's a nice show with solid moments.

See it if song good singing and dancing. Very poignant with good directing and staging. Has a good story to it, boy growing up in the Bronx. old time.

Don't see it if If you don't like a musical of this genre. It has touchy subject dealing with gangsters

See it if Entertaining plot, music and dancing. Cliched characters combine in interesting ways. An enjoyable lightweight package.

Don't see it if You are looking for more depth in the story or the music.

See it if you want to see a great performance by Nick Cordero in a show with a pretty terrible book and some rather mediocre songs.

Don't see it if you like shows that tell their stories with at least an ounce of honesty. Every emotional plot point feels either unearned or rushed.

See it if you want to take your bridge-and-tunnel friend to a Disneyfied, diluted, corny, unnecessarily-musicalized version of a much better film/play

Don't see it if you have any respect for the powerful storytelling of the original play/film. The flimsy score is completely incompatible w/the dark themes.

See it if you like singing/dancing musicals, Italian gangster stories, interracial love stories, family dramas, attractive main characters

Don't see it if you expect elaborate production numbers, don't enjoy cliched characters, not interested in gangster tales,

Also Give the show a chance though. Don't leave at intermission. The second act has some dynamic staging and smooth plot movement and some surprises. Despite its cliched characters, it does have a lot of heart.... Read more Read less

See it if /4 terrific doo wop, acrobatic dancing, 1st act amusing "goomba" humor, and fine Nick Cordero as mafia don

Don't see it if "West Side Story" interracial dating plot is cliched, sentimentalizing dead mafia don is corny/unrealistic, in all meh nostalgic trip

See it if You miss Jersey Boys or just want to see an average, upbeat American musical that you haven't seen yet and that you'll probably enjoy.

Don't see it if You'd be angry with a sanitized version of a good gangster story, an underwhelming score by Alan Menken, and generic musical staging.

See it if If you grew up in NYC or love NYC. Phenomenal acting; storyline that flies by & is easy to follow. Loved the songs too.

Don't see it if You hate doo wop music. You hate singing and dancing by a great cast.

See it if You like true story musicals like Jersey Boys. Loved the movie, Nick Cordero, stand out performances by actors as young & old Colagero.

Don't see it if You disliked Jersey Boys, Wiseguys, The Godfather. Never heard of the Bronx LOL There is violence, bad language, gambling, etc.

Also Check out the cast online. Everyone is a star. The character actors are the best Broadway has to offer and the ensemble play like a real family on stage.
The actor who plays the young Colagero steals your heart. Bobby Conte Thornton's Broadway debut is amazing.
Richard Blake plays the father- his voice reverberates through you.
Ariana DeBose is Jane - she is from Hamilton and will next appear in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Her singing and acting shine every time.
I was lucky enough to sit in the second row center orchestra.
It was perfect!!... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a feel-good musical about family and the effects of kindness and inclusiveness on your neighborhood.

Don't see it if You don't like doo-wop and 1960s music.

See it if you liked the film and you'd enjoy a somewhat formulaic musical.

Don't see it if you're expecting it to live up to "West Side Story meets Jersey Boys." Neither the themes, dancing or score live up to that comparison.

See it if You want to have a good time.

Don't see it if Don't want to have fun.

See it if you like stories tied up with a bow at the end. Choreography is frickin' brilliant. Music is excellent. Lyrics are banal, at best.

Don't see it if you were hoping for a well rounded musical. Some of the performances are excellent (male leads), some are painful. Great ensemble.

See it if you are from the Bronx, you liked the movie or enjoy urban life stories in general.

Don't see it if you did not like the movie or can not relate to urban stories.

See it if you liked the movie or appreciate Italian culture and humor.

Don't see it if you're expecting a score of the caliber of Alan Menken's other musicals. The music is rather forgettable and the story is quite predictable.

See it if You enjoyed Jersey Boys, musicals based on a film, violence on stage; pleasant enough for an evening

Don't see it if You dislike mob topics or violence; want to see something thought provoking and deep

See it if you're from The Bronx & remember the 1960's. Good staging, good voices.

Don't see it if you expect more than just functional music and clichéd dialogue.

See it if you enjoy a fairly by-the-book musical that you'll remember little about the next week but that entertains you while it has you in the seat.

Don't see it if you'd prefer a show that is less simplistic in its treatment of racial issues. The lead is forgiven much too quickly for an egregious slur.

See it if You like the romantically reminiscence "flashback musicals" coming of age, first love, personal idols, and growing up in the Bronx.

Don't see it if You didn't like Jersey Boys, or don't like Alan Menken. I do. It was an enjoyable night at the theatre.

Also Some outstanding performances by Richard H. Blake - the perfect dad, Nick Cordero's work is always stellar, Hudson Loverro who is adorable, Arianna DeBose who is charming, and Rory Max Kaplan has great energy and a real triple threat in the ensemble.
The night I saw it, 12/04/16 there was some real problems with the harmonies of the love duet in the second act. Great Movement/Choreography - doesn't overwhelm the piece, but works well for the story. Innovative set that added to the feeling of time period.

Spoiler:

The story was a little corny and a little disturbing -that a crime boss could befriend a young boy against the boys' father's wishes.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy traditional formulaic bdwy musicals. Touted as West Side Story meets Jersey Boys, it's more Rocky meets JB's. Lots of family love.

Don't see it if you're stuck on the movie. It's slightly watered down, but works GREAT as a musical, w/its "look to your heart" & "Love vs Fear" messages.

Also Adam Kaplan ("Calogero") is SO. FREAKING. EXCELLENT.

Mama mia, this kid has pipes. Good actor too, no Theater-101 feet-shuffling when he crosses the stage to make a point, ala other young actors currently on Bdwy.

Chazz Palminteri is ok as "Sonny", & is clearly bringing in the crowds, but enough already playing the same role in the movie, & the play, & now the musical. Dude. Basta. The acting is there, but the voice? Not so much.

Worth going back for a do-over so I can see Nick Cordero as "Sonny".

Story, singing & choreography is not overpowered by a mega-set, like other big shows. This set is smooth & cool: turns into 2 different Bronx neighborhoods (from Belmont to Webster, & back) by just spinning around.

Supporting cast is strong, especially stalwart Richard Blake ("Lorenzo") from Jersey Boys. He could sing the menu & I'd pay to listen.

Even @ 2+ hrs, it seemed a bit rushed, very polished & formulaic (possibly because I've seen the movie). But it works. Trust. SEE IT!... Read more Read less

See it if you want to see the 1 man play turned into a faithful enjoyable musical with well developed story & characters about growing up in the Bronx

Don't see it if you don't like plays and movies turned into musicals that are pretty well copies of the originals.

See it if You enjoy good music and great staging with a Jersey Boys/West Side Story feel. Some of the themes are quite relevant today.

Don't see it if You do not like autobiographical shows, or a production of a child from a loving and hard working family is drawn to the streets.

See it if You like the story in any of its other many forms. I like the idea of the story more than how it works as a musical.

Don't see it if There aren't a lot of memorable songs, unfortunately, and it's a bit unfocused in its storytelling.

See it if You enjoy entertaining musicals, with book by Chazz Palmintieri, music and lyrics by Menken & Slater. The show is full of great performances

Don't see it if You are disinterested in autobiographical shows addressing growing up in NYC,including ethnic and racial themes and stereotypes.