The Bronx Tale was one of the “greats” of New York based movies (Sonny’s voice). The Belmont native Chazz Palminteri, who played the crime boss in the film, has now returned to his old neighborhood to perform his one man show, “The Bronx Tale”. It will take place October 17th at Lehman college. All proceeds will go to Palminteri’s charity, Children’s Reach Foundation. To read more and see pictures, click below.
Recently Chazz Palminteri sat down with New York’s Daily News to talk his one man show and foundation. Below are some excerpts from the interview.
Daily News : What is the play about?
Chazz Palminteri : It’s really me. It’s about my life. It’s about a young boy growing up in the Bronx. And through his father and a mobster, he takes the best out of both men and becomes a man. The moral of A Bronx Tale is the working man is the tough guy.
DN : What inspired you to start the Child Reach Foundation, which funds research for a cure for pediatric diseases and gives grants to law enforcement families with children with special needs?
CP : About 15 years ago, my friend Phil Foglia came over to me and said, “We’re looking for Italian-Americans to do a foundation for thalassemia (a group of genetic blood disorders that disproportionately affects kids with Mediterranean ethnicity). Then I met some of the kids who have the disease. You meet these kids, and your heart breaks. There may be a cure for it in the future.
I started making strides in finding a cure. I think this is a disease we could beat in my lifetime.
DN : What was it like growing up in the Bronx?
CP : I grew up at 667 E. 187th St., near Belmont Ave. If you watch the Bronx Tale, Jennifer, that was my life growing up. I witnessed a killing. I dated a black girl when I was 17 years old, in 1968. I threw dice for the wiseguys.
DN : So, you really could’ve gone either way.
CP : No, just like in the movie, my father always said, “The saddest thing in life is wasted talent,” and he never wanted me to waste my talent.
What are some of your favorite places in the Bronx?
CP : “I always go to Gino’s Pastry Shop and I see Jerome, “The Cannoli King.” I live here and I live in Hollywood. I’ll get on a plane just to come here.
To buy tickets to “The Bronx Tale” show, visit www.lehmanstages.org
