Compelling ÔBronx TaleÕ is refreshingly good theaterI wondered why Chazz PalminteriÕs ÒA Bronx TaleÓ was suddenly booked into the Venetian Showroom for a limited run this month. Was it because Palminteri is Italian, and his semi-autobiographical solo show fits the casinoÕs Italianate theme? Because Wayne Brady Wayne Alphonso[1] Brady (born June 2, 1972 in Orlando, Florida) is an Emmy-winning American comedian, singer and television personality, best known for his role on the ABC television show Whose Line Is It Anyway? and for his daytime talk show, canceled all his October dates in the showroom? Because Palminteri felt like ending his yearlong national tour with a comfy work-play stint in Las Vegas Las Vegas (läs vā`gəs), city (1990 pop. 258,295), seat of Clark co., S Nev.; inc. 1911. It is the largest city in Nevada and the center of one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the United States. ? Whatever the reason, this richly comic and compelling ÒBronx TaleÓ fits in here like a bespoke be·spoke v. Past tense and a past participle of bespeak. adj. 1. Custom-made. Said especially of clothes. 2. Making or selling custom-made clothes: a bespoke tailor. Armani suit or a pair of Gucci loafers “Penny loafer” redirects here. For the collegiate a cappella group, see Penny Loafers. Loafers or penny loafers are low, leather step-in shoes usually with moccasin construction, with broad flat heels. They first appeared in the mid 1930s. . With its doo-wop heart and street-wise soul, itÕs a close cousin to ÒJersey BoysÓ at the adjacent Palazzo. Snazzy snaz·zy adj. snaz·zi·er, snaz·zi·est Slang Fashionable or flashy. [Origin unknown.] snaz in a sharp charcoal suit, shooting his cuffs underneath a streetlamp at the Bronx, Palminteri situates us in 1960, where his wide-eyed 9-year-old self, Calogero Palminteri, watches over his world from a concrete stoop at the corner of 187th Street and Belmont Avenue. After witnessing a shooting, and choosing not to rat out the culprit in a police lineup, Calogero finds himself at the wavering center of a moral Cold War between father figures. Sonny, the up-and-coming neighborhood crime boss, takes the green kid under his wing, and Lorenzo, CalogeroÕs upright father, a bus driver, tries to steer his son away from SonnyÕs tough-guy glamour. ÒA Bronx TaleÓ is expressly concerned with masculine emotion and sentiment. Is it better, Palminteri wonders, to be loved, or feared? (A subtheme about the tragedy of wasted talent is underdeveloped and somewhat rushed.) Although Palminteri is the sole performer, calling this a one-man show doesnÕt do it justice — the stage seems crowded with a neighborhood full of vivid characters. Working with veteran director Jerry Zaks, Palminteri emerges as a sort of Italian Twain or Dickens, constellating a neighborhood full of quirky characters — heÕs especially affectionate when detailing the wiseguys — Jojo the Whale, Frankie Coffeecake, Crazy Mario — who shoot craps at Chez chez prep. At the home of; at or by. [French, from Old French, from Latin casa, cottage, hut.] chez prep at the home of [French] Joey, the bar next-door to the stoop. Predating ÒThe SopranosÓ by a decade, ÒA Bronx TaleÓ was first presented on stage in 1989; in 1993 it was made into a movie with Robert DeNiro and Joe Pesci. Twenty years TWENTY YEARS. The lapse of twenty years raises a presumption of certain facts, and after such a time, the party against whom the presumption has been raised, will be required to prove a negative to establish his rights. 2. on, Palminteri is fit and energetic, his charisma undimmed, sounding out every consonant in the Bronx patois pat·ois n. pl. pat·ois 1. A regional dialect, especially one without a literary tradition. 2. a. A creole. b. Nonstandard speech. 3. The special jargon of a group; cant. , enacting the street scenes and bar brawls as if heÕs recalling it all right here, right now. LetÕs hope ÒA Bronx TaleÓ comes up a winner for its hosts at the Venetian. And that neighboring venues take the hint and bring in short runs of quality stage shows. However Palminteri ended up here, itÕs heartening heart·en tr.v. heart·ened, heart·en·ing, heart·ens To give strength, courage, or hope to; encourage. See Synonyms at encourage. Adj. 1. to see this caliber of acting — and genuine theater — on the Strip. Now thatÕs what IÕm talkinÕ about! Joe Brown can be reached at 259-8801 or at joe.brown@lasvegassun.com. IF YOU GO What: ÒA Bronx Tale,Ó written by and starring Chazz Palminteri When: 8 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, through Oct. 24 Where: Venetian Showroom Admission: $38.25-$138.25; 414-9000, venetian.com Running time: About 80 minutes; no intermission Audience advisory: Adult language 
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