From the ’Burgh to Broadway

Ted Brunetti Jr.’s globe-trotting tale

When Ted Brunetti Jr. was growing up in Dormont, the house he shared with his parents and nine siblings had one bathroom — and two pianos.

“Is it any wonder I turned out the way I did?” said Mr. Brunetti, who plays wiseguy Frankie Coffeecake in “A Bronx Tale.” The hit Broadway musical was adapted by Chazz Palminteri from his screenplay and features songs by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater. Its co-directors are four-time Tony Award winner Jerry Zaks and Hollywood goodfella Robert De Niro, working on his first musical.

Mr. Brunetti had experienced the creative process as an actor, director, writer, voice artist ... but this is his first Broadway show.

He has been soaking up the experience to use in his other careers. The acting coach and educator has studios in Los Angeles and Atlanta, and he has conducted industry panels as far away as Australia and New Zealand. He is an adjunct faculty member of the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts, and coach