It was supposed to be the surest bet in New York. You had Woody Allen adapting his own Oscar-winning film. You had Susan Stroman—the woman who made The Producers a cultural supernova—directing and choreographing. And yet, when Bullets Over Broadway the musical finally took its bow at the St. James Theatre in 2014, the reaction wasn't exactly a standing ovation from everyone. It was loud. It was brassy. It was expensive.
Honestly, the show is a bit of a weird beast. It’s a "jukebox musical," but not the kind where you hear ABBA or Billy Joel. Instead, Allen opted to use pre-existing jazz standards from the 1920s. Think "Let’s Misbehave" and "Tiger Rag." No original score. For some, that was the first red flag. For others, it was a nostalgic trip into a world of tommy guns and tap shoes.
The Plot That Almost Killed the Playwright
The story follows David Shayne, a high-brow, struggling playwright played in the original Broadway cast by Zach Braff. He’s the kind of guy who thinks art is sacred. But, as it turns out, art is also pricey. To get his play produced, he has to take money from a mob boss named Nick Valenti.
The catch?
He has to cast Olive Neal, Valenti's girlfriend, as a lead. Olive is... well, she’s terrible. She has a voice that could strip paint off a wall. Heléne Yorke played her with a grating, hysterical perfection that made the audience cringe and laugh at the same time. To keep an eye on her, the mob sends a hitman named Cheech, played by the late, great Nick Cordero.
Why Cheech Stole the Show
This is where the show actually gets interesting. Cheech isn't just a thug; he’s a secret genius. While sitting in on rehearsals, he starts giving David "suggestions" on how to fix the script. The hitman turns out to be a better writer than the playwright.
- The Irony: The most "artistic" person in the room is the guy who kills people for a living.
- The Conflict: David starts taking credit for Cheech’s lines.
- The Climax: Cheech becomes so protective of "his" play that he decides Olive has to go. Permanently. Because she’s ruining the art.
It’s a dark, cynical premise wrapped in bright sequins and high-energy tap numbers. Nick Cordero’s performance was the breakout of the season. He earned a Tony nomination for the role, and his rendition of "'Tain't Nobody's Biz-ness If I Do" was a genuine showstopper that involved a literal brotherhood of tap-dancing gangsters.
The Woody Allen Factor
Working with Woody Allen on a Broadway musical was always going to be a lightning rod. By 2014, his personal life was already casting a shadow over his work, but the production itself had its own identity crisis.
Critics were divided. Ben Brantley of The New York Times was pretty harsh, calling the show "occasionally funny but mostly just loud." He felt the subtle, dry wit of the 1994 film got lost when it was shouted through megaphones and blasted by a pit orchestra. On the flip side, some loved the sheer "shameless fun" of it.
Design and Grandeur
The production didn't skimp on the visuals. Santo Loquasto’s sets were massive. We're talking rotating stages that showed the front of the theater, the wings, and the backstage all in one spin. William Ivey Long, a legend in costume design, won a Drama Desk Award for his work here. The dresses were dripping in beads and the suits were sharp enough to cut.
But even with a 30-person cast and a dog named Mr. Woofles, the show struggled at the box office. It ran for only 189 performances.
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The Musicality of a Non-Musical
One of the biggest debates surrounding Bullets Over Broadway the musical was the decision to use "trunk songs" from the 1920s instead of hiring a composer to write something new.
Woody Allen was adamant about authenticity. He wanted the audience to feel the 1920s through the music he actually loves—jazz, blues, and Tin Pan Alley.
- "Up a Lazy River": Used as a surprisingly tender moment for Cheech.
- "The Hot Dog Song": A raunchy, burlesque-style number for Olive that’s... exactly what it sounds like.
- "Yes! We Have No Bananas": The big, chaotic finale.
Some people felt this made the show feel like a "best of" compilation rather than a cohesive piece of theater. It felt a bit disjointed. The songs didn't always grow out of the character's emotions; sometimes they just happened because it was time for a dance break.
Why It Still Matters Today
Even though it didn't have a multi-year run like Wicked or The Book of Mormon, Bullets Over Broadway the musical has found a second life in regional theaters and colleges.
It’s a "star vehicle" for a reason.
The roles are incredibly meaty. Helen Sinclair, the aging diva played by Marin Mazzie on Broadway, is a gift for any actress. Her catchphrase "Don't speak!" became an instant Broadway meme. The show explores the classic struggle: how much are you willing to compromise for your dream?
The Legacy of Nick Cordero
You can't talk about this show without mentioning the tragedy of Nick Cordero, who passed away in 2020 due to COVID-19 complications. For many theater fans, Bullets was the moment they discovered him. He brought a terrifying but lovable charisma to Cheech that anchored the entire production. His performance is often cited as the primary reason to revisit the cast recording.
Practical Insights for Theater Lovers
If you’re looking to dive into this show now, you obviously can’t see the original production. But you have options.
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- Listen to the Cast Recording: It captures the brassy energy of the orchestra. It's great for road trips if you like fast-paced jazz.
- Watch the Movie First: If you haven't seen the 1994 film with John Cusack and Dianne Wiest, do it. It helps you appreciate the jokes that did make it into the musical.
- Check Licensing: If you’re involved in community theater, the rights are held by MTI (Music Theatre International). It’s a popular choice for groups with a strong male ensemble because of the gangster numbers.
The show is a reminder that even "flops" on Broadway can be artistic successes in their own way. It was a massive, glittering collision of old-school comedy and modern stagecraft. It wasn't perfect, but it certainly wasn't boring.
To truly understand the impact of the show, start by comparing the original 1994 film script with the 2014 musical book. Notice how the character of Cheech was expanded to accommodate the musical format. You can find the Broadway cast recording on all major streaming platforms to hear how those 1920s standards were re-orchestrated for a modern pit band.