After almost 30 years away from the Broadway stage, Oscar-winning acting icon Robert De Niro will return to the Great White Way to direct a musical adaptation of A Bronx Tale, reports Showbiz411.
A Bronx Tale is a crime drama about an Italian-American teenager in 1960s New York who strikes up a friendship with a local gangster. De Niro directed and starred in the feature film version of A Bronx Tale back in 1993. Partially inspired by playwright/actor Chazz Palminteri's childhood, A Bronx Tale started out as a solo play, which Palminteri first performed off-Broadway in 1989. After playing the lead gangster in the film adaptation, Palminteri later revived the show on Broadway in 2007. The new musical version will mark a reunion for De Niro and Palminteri as Palminteri will write the tuner's book.
While the movie featured a slew of classic oldies from the likes of Dion & the Belmonts, James Brown and The Kinks, the show will feature a new score by Bon Jovi's David Bryan. The musician knows a thing or two about creating songs with a '60s sound, having scored a Tony for the music of Memphis. Jersey Boys dance guru Sergio Trujillo will choreograph the musical.
De Niro last appeared on Broadway in the 1986 original play Cuba & His Teddy Bear opposite Ralph Macchio and Burt Young.
Check out the trailer for the A Bronx Tale movie below!