Adam Kaplan ‘12 joins the Broadway company of “A Bronx Tale” in the production's leading role.
Elon music theatre alum Adam Kaplan ‘12 has recently replaced Bobby Conte Thornton as the leading role of Calogero in “A Bronx Tale” on Broadway.
Since graduating, Kaplan has been lighting up the stage on Broadway in “Newsies” as Jack Kelly understudy. Additionally, he starred in the national tour of “Kinky Boots” as Charlie Price, and performed in “Show Boat” at the New York Philharmonic, as well as many regional theatre credits.
“A Bronx Tale” was directed by two-time Academy Award winner Robert De Niro and four-time Tony Award winner Jerry Zaks. Based on the play that inspired the classic film, the musical takes place in the 1960s on the streets of the Bronx, where a young man, Calogero, is caught between his family and his aspiration to become the boss of a mob.
It’s only fitting that as one alum, Gerald Caesar ‘16, finishes his run of “A Bronx Tale”, another alum is welcomed into the Broadway company. (Another congratulations to Caesar, who you can catch portraying the role of Simba in the national tour of “The Lion King.”)
When asked about his journey up to landing the lead role in “A Bronx Tale,” Kaplan stated that “it’s been a combination of hard work, timing, patience and support. I started “Newsies” on Broadway just a few months after moving to New York and my experience understudying provided me with a special set of skills. I believe that experience helped the producers and creative team behind 'Kinky Boots' giving me the opportunity to lead that show on tour. Now with “A Bronx Tale,” I have the opportunity to help tell this amazing story every night with this company on Broadway. Since leaving Elon I’ve always tried to continue taking classes and working as hard as I can to continue that momentum. I’ve been very lucky.”
Additionally, Kaplan commented on how his training at Elon has prepared him for his professional successes. “I owe so much of my success to Elon and my teachers," Kaplan said. "But aside from that, Elon gave me a network of friends in New York City as well as the mentality that good, kind, well-rounded people make the best artists.”