Belmont Avenue's Chez Bippy is the home of Sonny's crew of wise guys in A Bronx Tale
. You can expect bar fights, illegal gambling, and a cast of crazy, memorable characters that keep audiences at Longacre Theatre smiling from their mug shot introductions to their "Roll 'Em" shenanigans. Scroll on as BroadwayBox talks with each member of Sonny's Belmont Avenue gang about their characters, real life nicknames, and their favorite Italian dishes & wise guy movies.Joey Sorge—Rudy The Voice
1. The defining characteristic of my character:
Rudy the Voice is a dreamer. He thinks he should be the next Sinatra or Jerry Vale! If someone would just discover him! There has got to be more to life than just running this bar full of mobsters!
2. The most fun part about being part of the Bronx Tale gang:
Introduction of Sonny's crew with mugshots is the best part because it brings the Bronx to life for the audience. It's the funny stuff they remember from the movie and I enjoy seeing the audience laugh!
3. Nickname I’ve actually had in real life:
Had a few: JoJo (minus the whale), Sorgie!, Sorge!,. And Joe-ski-love! Oh and "hey You!"
4. My most memorable performance of A Bronx Tale has been:
Well I can't say there has been a memorable performance but I can say rehearsing every day with Robert De Niro, Chazz Palmintieri, and Jerry Zaks are memories that I will always be grateful for. The acting in that room was priceless.
5. Go-to order at an Italian restaurant:
Linguine with clams in a red wine sauce! Impressionante!!! il migliore!!!
6. My all-time favorite wise guy movie:
Come on! Goodfellas!
Michael Barra—Jojo The Whale
1. The defining characteristic of my character:
His large physique and love of food. In act one alone, JoJo eats a cannoli, a sandwich, a piece of pizza, and a bread stick.
2. The most fun part about being part of the Bronx Tale gang:
I'd have to say that would be the gang itself. It's a really special group of people. Lots of love and support. Making my Broadway debut would have been special to me no matter what, but getting to make it as part of this show with this family is perfect.
3. Nickname I’ve actually had in real life:
The only real nickname I can think of comes from a summer theater camp I did for a few years starting in 5th grade, Longswamp Children's Theater. I got the nickname Little Bear. I would always turn on the Nick Jr. cartoon Little Bear during our lunch breaks and the name stuck. It also worked because my last name is Barra and I am the youngest in my immediate family.
4. My most memorable performance of A Bronx Tale has been:
I have two. First is opening night, of course. I had been dreaming of being on Broadway since I was 10 years old and it was finally happening. That is a night I will never forget. The other show was on April 23rd, when my mom chartered two buses from my hometown in Connecticut and brought 130 people to the show. It seemed like everyone I knew was there: my friends, my family, even my elementary school nurse. Having that much support in the house was amazing, and when I came out for curtain call, they all lit up these little colored lights.
5. Go-to order at an Italian restaurant:
Chicken parm, though I do like variety. The mushroom ravioli at Chazz's restaurant are another favorite.
6. My all-time favorite wise guy movie:
A Bronx Tale, of course, but my second favorite is probably Goodfellas.
Ted Brunetti—Frankie Coffeecake
1. The defining characteristic of my character:
Choice A) Frankie Coffeecake’s calf muscles are extremely large. While no one sees them, that’s his secret strength. He likes to kick when in fights.
Choice B) Frankie’s style: threads and bling. Most people would say Frankie’s lunar complexion, but not to Frankie . Frankie is the Babe Magnet of the Wise Guys. Really.
2. The most fun part about being part of the Bronx Tale gang:
Getting to bring da neighborhood ta life every night with the great team that I’m a member of.
3. Nickname I’ve actually had in real life:
Peanuts.
4. My most memorable performance of A Bronx Tale has been:
The night I stuttered in Roll ‘Em, “Come on, Sonny! I don’t want a t-t-t-t-towel over my head!” and the NUCLEAR reaction/energy that came at me from the guys on stage and their ad libs as I made my way to being locked in the bathroom with the other two mooks.
5. Go-to order at an Italian restaurant:
Don’t eat Italian out often…I cook my own, as my family taught me growing up…if eating out: calamari fra diavolo.
6. My all-time favorite wise guy movie:
A Bronx Tale (dat True).
Jonathan Brody—Eddie Mush
1. The defining characteristic of my character:
World's biggest loser.
2. The most fun part about being part of the Bronx Tale gang:
Finishing the food that Jojo doesn't eat
3. Nickname I’ve actually had in real life:
Never really had one, but when doing Titanic, Judy Blazer called me The Informer—because I read The NY Times all the time and like to share what I've learned.
4. My most memorable performance of A Bronx Tale has been:
The first preview. There's was so much excitement and anticipation from the audience, it was electric!
5. Go-to order at an Italian restaurant:
Cannelloni or lasagna.
6. My all-time favorite wise guy movie:
Goodfellas.
Paul Salvatoriello—Tony Ten-to-Two
1. The defining characteristic of my character:
Of all things, my FEET are the defining characteristic of my character. You see, they call me Tony Ten-to-Two because my feet point just like the clock at 10 and 2. (Insert audience laughter here). Actually, another thing that defines my character is the fact that I'm Sonny's bodyguard and right-hand man. Throughout the show, if Sonny needs something, invariably you'll hear him say "Hey Tony, get me this . . . " or "Tony, take care of that . . ." So, I'm Sonny's guy. I may not say much, but I'm always there.
2. The most fun part about being part of the Bronx Tale gang:
Hey Fuggetaboutit!! Nothing better than being one of the gang of wise guys in a musical about the mob! It's like being a made man in the musical theater mafia! You get to beat up guys encroaching on your territory, right after you sing and dance—just like the great Capos Sondheim, Loesser, and Lerner & Lowe intended! In all honesty, we really are a big family at A Bronx Tale from the house manager and ushers to the cast, crew, and production team. So, nothing beats being a part of this great, fun loving, caring, marvelous group of people. I'm really honored to be a part of it. Could there be any better? Fuggetaboutit!!
3. Nickname I’ve actually had in real life:
Never had a nickname growing up, actually. Although in college my friends had a great time working with my last name - Salvatoriello. The best they came up with is changing my last name to "Serve-a-bowl-of-jello." Creative, I thought.
4. My most memorable performance of A Bronx Tale has been:
Hands down, opening night on Broadway. Nothing really compares to the excitement of that night. It was like there was a special vibration in the air. The audience on opening night was so receptive and having a wonderful time, and the mix of nerves and joy I felt that night was something I will never forget, particularly because I was making my debut on Broadway with A Bronx Tale.
5. Go-to order at an Italian restaurant:
There is no question that I'm always up for a nice Chicken Parmigiana as my go-to meal, with a caesar salad and a little fried calamari to start. Yet, depending on my mood, a Chicken Francese or Penne alla Vodka may win the day.
6. My all-time favorite wise guy movie:
My all-time favorite wise guy movie is, no joke, A Bronx Tale. I liked The Godfather movies, and Goodfellas, but when I saw A Bronx Tale it brought me back to when I was seven years old. At that time, my aunt was dating a guy named Mario. He was always dressed to the nines, rings, chains, sharp suits, slicked back hair. I think Mario thought he was more of a wise guy than he really was. But to a seven-year-old kid like me, he was the coolest guy in the world. So, when I saw the movie A Bronx Tale twenty years later, I knew exactly how Calogero felt towards Sonny. I really identified with that movie. Who knew so many years later that I'd have the chance to create a role of a wise guy in the musical version on Broadway. I'm a very lucky guy.
See the guys live in A Bronx Tale at Broadway's Belmont Avenue, the Longacre Theatre.
