He’s in a N.Y. state of mind

Chazz Palminteri is back on the road, touring in “A Bronx Tale,” the one-man show that made him famous. In 1993 he wrote and starred in the play about his growing up in a tough, gangster-ridden part of the Bronx. It caught the attention of another famous Italian American actor, Robert De Niro, who produced, directed and acted alongside Palminteri in the big-screen version.

The play had a two-week run at the Wadsworth Theatre last fall and the Ruskin Group Theatre Co. in Santa Monica recently wrapped its production of Palminteri’s second scripted play, “Faithful,” which was made into a 1996 film, in which he costarred with Cher and Ryan O’Neal.

He recently starred in the movie “The Dukes,” about a ‘60s doo-wop group, and can be seen in the upcoming film “Yonkers Joe” with Christine Lahti. He was able to break from performing and chat with Liesl Bradner about his pop-culture fascinations.

--

HEAVY ROTATION ON YOUR IPOD

I have very eclectic taste -- Billy Joel, Maroon 5’s “Wake Up Call” and John Mayer. I go back and forth between that and Stephen Sondheim’s Broadway tunes.

--

SOUNDTRACK FOR YOUR COMMUTE

I’ve been listening to the ‘70s jazz band Weather Report lately.

--

IN YOUR NETFLIX QUEUE

I’m dying to see “Iron Man.” I like independent movies, like “Dazzle.” And “Shawshank Redemption,” I love that film. I watch “On the Waterfront” at least once a year. It’s perfectly acted, directed and written.

--

ON THE BEDSTAND LIBRARY

I read a lot of spiritual books. “Why Faith Matters” by David J. Wolpe. “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” by Mitch Albom. Also a lot by Rudolf Steiner, “How to Know Higher Worlds” and “Guardian Angels.” I believe in guardian angels and explore that in my writing. I read about the other side too, why some people are agnostic or atheist.

--

WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?

I don’t get the fascination with dysfunction on TV and the whole idea that privacy is gone. It’s like a train wreck we have to look at. There were some really great shows in the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s like “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” Now, you take a guy cheating on his wife, put it on YouTube and call that entertainment.