Last night marked the opening of A Bronx Tale, the one man show starring Chazz Palminteri, and I was there to cover the Red Carpet!  It was a night of stars and questions at the Walter Kerr Theater on 48th Street on "the Broadway".  I took my place in the press line at around 5:45pm (the show's curtain was at 6:35pm - it is a B'way tradition to start performances earlier on opening nights) and prepared to watch the festivities and report them back to you.

I quickly met a lovely couple from Long Island who had driven in to the city to see the show and we began chatting.  With digital camera in hand, they were anxious to see some celebs.  They didn't seem to know too much about the show they were seeing (which confused me, because they had bought tickets - insert me scratching head) so I filled them in as best I could.  Here is the scoop: A Bronx Tale is actually a re-mounting of a show that Chazz Palminteri (The Usual Suspects and Bullets Over Broadway) debuted in the late 80's and was later made into a film, directed by Robert DeNiro.  The movie made Mr. Palminteri a star.   This revival is Mr. Palminteri's Broadway debut. 

With the details of the show established we settled in for some superstar sighting.  That is when the questions started flying.  "Who is that guy?"  "Who is she?"  "Wait, I recognize him, what did he do?"  Oh, by the way - it was me asking most of the questions.  This was one of those red carpets where everyone looked recognizable, but I couldn't pinpoint who they were.  Thank goodness for my new friends who helped me all night long!  In the spirit of last night's event, I thought I would recap the red carpet with a little quiz.  I will describe the arrivals and YOU can test your celebrity savvy and try to guess who they were. (Answers at the bottom of the post!)

Celebrity One:

One of the first to arrive, this silver haired gentleman in a dapper business suit dominated the press.  Everyone wanted to talk to him, everyone knew him (except me).  As he answered indepth questions about the production it became clear that he was a theater legend that was working "behind the scenes" on this production.  Who was he?

Celebrity Two:

Next to work the press line was a tall dark haired young man in a finely tailored suit.  The cameras went crazy when he arrived and he smiled politely for the press.  My friends from Long Island recognized him immediately.  The wife said, "that tv show he had was crazy - the one where he opened the restaurant."  I was beginning to get the hint, especially when I realized I had just sent him on the finale of Top Chef a few weeks ago. Did you figure it out yet? Chop.  Chop.

Celebrity Three:

You might not have any trouble guessing this one.  The older gentlemen (with his MUCH younger wife) arrived amidst a sea of "Oh my god - look who it is!"  Wearing a casual suit and sporting long unkempt gray hair, this very famous movie star is best known for his role in The Piano. It was just announced that he will be taking on the lead in Jerry Springer - The Opera in Concert, which will play Carnegie Hall January 29th and 30th, 2008.  Upon seeing this gentleman my Long Island husband said, "wow, those Hollywood make-up people really earn their money don't they.  He looks better in the movies."  Ouch! 

Celebrity Four:

What mega-star raced into the theater without stopping for pictures or interviews on the press line?  He was easily the biggest star of the night and EVERYONE knew who he was.  You might have recognized him from his Oscar winning performance in Raging Bull.  Hint:  He directed the movie version of A Bronx Tale.

Celebrity Five:

Ok, this is a bit of a trick.  What star did we wait for all evening long, but who never showed up.  Where the heck was he?  We all waited an extra 15 minutes after the show started, just hoping he would come late.  Secretly, I think we all hoped he would arrive because he always brings a bit of scandal with him wherever he goes!   Hint:  He is the star of an NBC hit comedy written by Tina Fey. 

Celebrity Six:

There were a ton of guys who showed up looking like they just came from the Sopranos wrap party.  I don't think I have ever seen so much pomade and so many silk ties at one Broadway opening.  I had a bit of trouble distinguishing the actors/celebs from the theater patrons.  However, one guy showed up and I knew him instantly.  Sporting a big cowboy hat and an even bigger smile, this actual star of the Sopranos dazzled the crowd and the press.  He graciously posed for pictures and chatted with a ton of people going to the show.  His nickname involves an article of clothing.  Hey, did you know that he was in The Goonies - that rocks!

Celebrity Seven:

This star arrived only moments before the show was starting, but that did not stop her from posing for pictures.  She arrived in a slinky but sophisticated black and white ensemble topped with a black beret.  Not many people would dare to wear a beret these days and there are several good reasons not to, but this star has never been a shrinking violet.  She is an outspoken and sassy comedienne who once had a very successful network television show where she was a nanny.  If you heard her nasally voice it might give it away. 

It was an exciting night.  My friends from Long Island were literally the last people to go into the theater before the show started.  They just wanted to see more stars!  I think they certainly got there money's worth.  I don't know if I will ever see them again, but I want to thank them for helping me figure out who everyone was last night.  Did you manage to figure things out?  Here are the answers:

1. Director of A Bronx Tale, Jerry Zaks

2. Rocco DiSpirito

3. Harvey Keitel 

4. Robert DeNiro

5. Alec Baldwin

6. Joe Pantoliano (Joey Pants)

7. Fran Drescher 

How did you score?  I hope you enjoyed this little quiz.  To learn more about A Bronx Tale you can go HERE.  Until then I will...

~ See You On The Aisle