Tony Danza: Standards & Stories

Steve Murray | September 22, 2015

Tony Danza

Standards & Stories

Feinstein’s at the Nikko, San Francisco, CA, September 18, 2015

Reviewed by Steve Murray for Cabaret Scenes

Photo: Stephen Sorokoff

America fell in love with Tony Danza through his iconic television characters in Taxi and Who’s the Boss?. Charming and street-smart with a heavy Brooklyn accent, Danza’s persona today is not that far removed. Appearing in both dramatic and comic theater on and off Broadway has given him a comfort level with live audiences evidenced by his easy banter and well-thought-out stories. Jokes and family anecdotes make us feel like we’re in the presence on an old friend.

Danza’s singing style is reminiscent of Sinatra’s, with some Bobby Darin thrown in for good measure. With high doses of machismo, Danza would’ve fit right in with the Rat Pack of old. He swings on standards “That’s All” (Alan Brandt/Bob Haymes) and “How About You?” (Ralph Freed/Burton Lane), and handles the lovely Artie Butler ballad “I Don’t Remember Ever Growing Up” and Sinatra standard “Angel Eyes” well. Danza’s comic side is displayed on two Jason Robert Brown songs from Honeymoon in Vegas: “I Love Betsy” and the very funny “Out of the Sun.” Danza is a complete showman in the tradition of the singer/hoofers of old and that’s what makes for an entertaining evening.

Tags: Alan Brandt, American Songbook, Angel Eyes, Artie Butler’, Bob Haymes, Bobby Darin, Broadway Musicals, Burton Lane, Cabaret, Cabaret Reviews, Cabaret Scenes, Clubs, Composers, Feinstein's at the Nikko, Great American Songbook, Honeymoon in Vegas, How About You?, I Don’t Remember Ever Growing Up, I Love Betsy, Jason Robert Brown, lyricists, Musicals, Nightclubs, Out of the Sun, Popular Song, Ralph Freed, Rat Pack, Revues, San Francisco, Show Tunes, Sinatra, Singers, Songbook, Standards, Standards & Stories, Stephen Sorokoff, Steve Murray, Supper Clubs, Taxi, That’s All, Tony Danza, Venues, Vocalists, Who’s the Boss?