Review in brief: Formulaic entertainment is ‘A Bronx Tale’s’ blessing and curse Bob Abelman Cleveland Jewish News, The News Herald, The Morning Journal Member, International Association of Theatre Critics “A Bronx Tale,” which opened nearly a year ago on Broadway, is being self-promoted as a mix between “Jersey Boys” and “West Side Story.” This is meant to be complimentary, for the show contains pieces and parts similar in style and substance to these mega-hit musicals. It is set in the 1960s, takes place in a tough Italian-American neighborhood, features doo-wop tunes and ballads in its song list, and revolves around a forbidden love affair between a local boy from Belmont Avenue and a black girl who lives on Webster Avenue a few blocks away. But the marketing inadvertently speaks to the blatant lack of originality that permeates every pore of this musical. For more of this article, go to www.clevelandjewishnews.com/columnists/.