Interview: Nick Cordero Talks A BRONX TALE; Previews Broadway's WAITRESS

This February, Tony nominee Nick Cordero will star as 'Sonny' in Paper Mill Playhouse's World Premiere of the explosive new musical, A BRONX TALE. Written by Chazz Palminteri and based on his acclaimed one-man show‚ the story is set against the backdrop of racial strife and organized crime in the 1960s and follows an Italian-American teenager finding his path in life as he must choose between the father who raised him and a mob-boss father figure who fascinates him.

The musical will be co-directed by two-time Oscar winner Robert De Niro and four-time Tony Award winner Jerry Zaks, with choreography by four-time Drama Desk Award nominee Sergio Trujillo. It features a book by Chazz Palminteri, music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater.

Today Cordero chats exclusively with BWW about portraying the powerful Capo di Tutti in this "quintessential New York story."

How familiar were you with A BRONX TALE prior to joining the project?

Actually quite familiar. I watched the movie more than a few times in high school and I kind of grew up with the film, like a lot of people my age. And it's been interesting to see it become almost like a modern-day classic. There are so many fans of it, especially New Yorkers, because it's such a quintessential New York story that people up here are pretty passionate about it, and I include myself among that group!

There are so many interwoven circumstances surrounding this project, beginning with the fact that you portrayed Cheech in the recent Broadway musical BULLETS OVER BROADWAY, a role that Chazz Palminteri originated in the Woody Allen film. And now here you are working with him in A BRONX TALE.

Yes, well Chazz came to see 'Bullets' and we talked a bit about it then and obviously the parallels between the two characters are pretty obvious. But he reassured me that Sonny was quite a different role than Cheech, a little bit more to do, a little bit more of a spectrum to play, shall we say. The beauty of Cheech was that he was so laser-focused on what he wanted, he was a pretty simple character in his desires in that way. Whereas with Sonny, he's the Capo di Tutti, he's the boss, and so he's got a lot more to consider and there's a little more at play there, which is always a lot of fun.

I'm sure it's great to have Chazz so close by to help you develop the character, but I'm wondering if it makes it a bit more difficult for you to make the role your own.

You know, the team has collectively allowed me to sort of really put my imprint on it. So, Chazz will drop little tidbits of knowledge in my ear, but for the most part he's really letting me have my way with him, while also being available for any questions I have. But he's the guy telling these stories from the neighborhood on our breaks in the hallway, and it's just fascinating, because this is his life story, this all really happened, these people really existed, so it's a real asset having him around.

And yet another interesting element of the project is that you have Robert DeNiro as a co-director, who was of course also in the film. What has that experience been like?

Well, not unlike Chazz, having him around has been such an asset just because he sort of wrote the book on how to dramatize this culture. And so he just has specifics which wouldn't be exposed otherwise, little things, like how to walk, how to wear your hat, how to wear your clothes, how to handle your money, that's the kind of artist that he is, he's very specific, so that when you put it on stage, the audience really is transported in a way that they wouldn't be if those things were sort of glossed over. I find that when those specifics aren't paid attention to, the audience can sort of pick up on it, not necessarily in a conscious way, but it's just a feeling of authenticity, that's what Robert DeNiro brings to this project.

Usually when a film is being adapted to the stage, there is no certainty it will translate well, but in this case, the piece began as a one-man stage play.

That's right, well the story, like I said, has been around 30 years now, and it's really stood the test of time and it has almost a fable-like quality to it, you know being tempted by good and evil, which way you will chose, and the themes are all pretty universal. And that's why I think it's lasted so long. And to set it to music, you really risk taking away from that, but I think what the team here and what Alan Menken has managed to do quite successfully is really get deeper into those themes if anything, and it's working really well.

Yes, I actually read an interview in which Chazz said he always envisioned it as a musical, which I found so interesting.

Yeah, that does't surprise me actually. Like I said, it's so amazing to me that these things actually happened to him in his life because it seems almost built for storytelling. So I can't wait for people to hear the score, it's one of Menken's best.

Can you describe the music? Does it necessarily fit into one specific musical genre?

Well, it kind of exists in the late '50's into the '60's, so there's definitely a doo wop quality to it, but it also reminds me of Alan's earlier work, it's got a little bit of the 'LITTLE SHOP' sort of Motown element to it, and there's also a little Sinatra. I get to sing a great number in the second act that's really kind of a throwback to Sinatra's best work. And I can't wait for people to hear it. I don't want to talk too much about it, because I know that it's a surprise, but there's a song in the second act that when I heard it, I was onboard, I was like, 'there's nobody else I want to sing this song but myself!' So it's really, really indicative of the era but also adds elements of what we hear today.

You touched on this before, but what do you think it is about the story that resonates so strongly with audiences?

Well, it's a coming-of-age story and it really deals with a kid deciding what kind of a man he's going to be. And I think that we can all relate to that at some point in our lives. And even at this stage of my life, I'm still asking myself questions that are raised in this story. There's a little good and evil in all of us, and I think it's deciding which one will be prominent, and do you allow love in your life, do you allow trust in your life, or will you live in fear?

You also have another very exciting project coming up, WAITRESS, heading to Broadway this spring. Will you be going from BRONX TALE straight to this show?

That's pretty much how it's going to happen yes. I'm doing a little double duty for a little portion of it. I'll start rehearsals for WAITRESS just before the opening of A BRONX TALE, but it should be fine. The teams of both shows have been coordinating and everyone's great at their jobs so I'm not too worried about it. WAITRESS is a phenomenal project and I'm very, very excited to be a part of it. I did a three-week lab of it right before I started rehearsals for A BRONX TALE and that was really my first experience with the project and it's really a special show. It's a wonderful cast, the team is working so well together, another great story, and of course, Sara Bareilles' music is really special, I can't wait for people to hear it.

And you will be playing a very interesting character in that show as well.

Yes! Earl is not the best guy around, to say the least [laughing], but I found that my challenge going into it was to try to understand him and not judge him and make him relatable, even though he has to serve a function for Jessie's [Mueller] character. I also want to humanize him and have his behavior come from a human place. So that was my challenge going in and I look forward to revisiting that challenge when I get back to it in February.

That's definitely one that everyone's looking forward to.

Yes, I can't wait for people to see it. It's a gem!

A BRONX TALE will run at the Paper Mill Playhouse from February 4 - March 6. For tickets and additional information, click here

About Nick Cordero: Nick Cordero (Earl) was last seen on Broadway playing Cheech in Bullets Over Broadway, for which he received 2014 Tony Award and Drama Desk Award nominations, and won both an Outer Critics Circle Award and a Theater World Award. Prior to Bullets, Nick appeared on Broadway as "Dennis" in Rock Of Ages, after playing the role across the country in the 1st National Tour. Off-Broadway Nick recently appeared in Nice Girl at the Labyrinth Theater, Brooklynite at the Vineyard Theater and in 2009 he created the title role in The Toxic Avenger Musical (Outer Critics Circle Award - Best Off-Broadway Musical), a role he previously played regionally at George Street Playhouse. Other regional credits include Little Shop Of Horrors (KC Rep), Pirates Of Penzance (BRT), The Last 5 Years (Heritage Theater), Equus (Citadel Theater), Blood Brothers (Theater Aquarius), Fiddler On The Roof (Manitoba Theater Center). This February, Nick will appear as Sonny in the world premiere of Chazz Palminteri's A Bronx Tale - The Musical at The Paper Mill Playhouse, music and lyrics by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater, directed by Robert De Niro and Jerry Zaks. TV/Film: "Queer As Folk" (Showtime), "Lilyhammer" (Netflix), "Law & Order: SVU" (NBC/Universal), A Stand Up Guy (2B Films), Going In Style (Warner Bros./New Line) Nick's music has appeared on TV shows such as "Degrassi: Next Generation" (Nickelodeon), "Flashpoint" (CBS) and "Heartland" (CBC).

BULLETS OVER BROADWAY Photo credit: Paul Kolnik

A BRONX TALE Photo Credit: Jennifer Broski

WAITRESS Photo courtesy of Waitress: The Musical

Photo credit: Walter McBride