Report Card----"A Bronx Tale, The Musical".

On my second night in New York,  I saw "A Bronx Tale, The Musical".
Based on the movie that starred , Robert DeNiro and was written by Chazz Palminteri,
This musical version is written by Palminteri and co-directed by DeNiro.
The music is by Alan Menken, and the lyrics by Glenn Slater.
What I saw was the second preview.
It was overwhelmingly wonderful.
It was ready to open, but they're not opening until the beginning of December.
I don't know what they're waiting for.
I've seen just about every musical that I've wanted to.
This show is in the top five in my book.
It's kind of a cross between "Jersey Boys" and "West Side Story".
But all the music is original and wonderful.
And the storytelling is much better than "West Side Story".

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Always.
A+.

Compelling even?

Never not
A+.

Is it controversial?

Only if it doesn't get anything but unanimous raves.
A+.

Is it a story worth telling?

Absolutely.
A+.

Is it good storytelling?

Nothing but.
A+.

Is it well written?

Brilliantly.
A+..

Is it well cast?  Well played?

I didn't know any of these actors.  They are all wonderful, and terrific singers.
A+.

Well staged?

It's a total grabber.
A+.

Did the director put such a personal stamp on it so that no one else could have made it?

No, but it really doesn't matter.
A.

How long does it take to establish the show's locale and time period?

Immediately.
A+.

Is it too long? Too short?

It could have gone on and on.
A+.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Yes, and totally.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

I was never ahead of it.
A+.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

You can't not.
A+.

Is it funny?

Often, and it's always appropriate.
A+.

Was it  worth the two hundred bucks it cost to see it?

If it ever is, now's the time.
A+.

Is it impressive?

Astoundingly.
A+.

Overall grade: A+.

If you usually agree with me, don't stop now.  If you have to, hop on a plane, go to the Longacre theater, and pony up the dough.  Just a suggestion.

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My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, If and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

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