Kats!

Theatre on Nov. 3.

De Niro, who starred as Lorenzo Anello in the film version of “A Bronx Tale,” is co-directing the production with Jerry Zaks (“Little Shop of Horrors” on Broadway). The music is written by Alan Menken with lyrics by Glenn Slater, and the producer is the well-resourced Tommy Mottola and Dodger Theatricals .

“This is not a situation I would expect to have at this point in my career, with these people at this level,” Barbara says. “It’s a whirlwind kind of thing. It’s ridiculous, really.”

“Jersey Boys” closes Sept. 18; four days later Barbara hits New York for rehearsals.

Barbara’s affiliation with Palminteri dates to 2012, when Palminteri was performing “A Bronx Tale” as a one-man show at the Venetian (a mutual friend, Joe Piscopo, introduced the two). Barbara followed up with the video clip of himself reading the lines of Carmine, who was played by Joe Pesci in the film.

Those scenes were recorded in the TV studio and classroom at Bishop Gorman High, where Barbara teaches broadcast media. Palminteri and De Niro were both impressed with that audition, which changed Barbara’s career. He performed the role in February at Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, N.J., and was Palminteri’s first call for Carmine when the Broadway show was cast.

As Palminteri himself says, “Joe is is the real deal. We want people whose talent is apparent, and we want people who are honest and authentic. Joe is all of that.” FLASH FROM MENOPAUSE

Cindy Williams, the onetime Shirley Feeney of “Laverne & Shirley,” is extending her stay at Harrah’s as the guest star in “Menopause The Musical” through Oct. 2. Her run was originally set to end Sunday. Producer Alan Glist says the production is enjoying a particularly torrid summer, and jokes that it is the “crown jewel” of Caesars Entertainment productions, given all the shows closing this year. “Menopause”