Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Those who only know the acting side of Tony Danza from TV or movies might not realize the extent of his entertaining abilities, but anyone inside the historic Des Plaines Theatre saw firsthand what Broadway has already been raving about.

It turns out the funny man of “Taxi” and “Who’s The Boss?” fame is similarly capable when it comes to serenading a live audience with a new “Standards & Stories” show, backed by a traveling four-piece jazz band and a local orchestra.

The proud New Yorker of Italian descent is certainly a lifelong fan of Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack, modeling the 90-minute night around their type of variety, which meant lots of singing, tap dancing, comedy and even a little ukulele playing.

Danza began by smoothly channeling Bobby Darin during “As Long As I’m Singing,” then turned to Ol’ Blue Eyes’ “(How Little It Matters) How Little We Know,” Nat King Cole’s “That’s All” and fellow Sinatra staple “It Was A Very Good Year.”

In between tunes, there was mention of several songwriting credits and autobiographical tidbits, frequently revolving around his upbringing and a mother who always brought the superstar down to earth, insisting Tony wasn’t anybody until he could introduce her to the “Chairman Of The Board.”

That dream did indeed come true throughout an unbelievable life surrounding showbiz, but Danza regularly came across humble and relatable, delivering the additional golden oldies “Watch What Happens,” “Angel Eyes” and “The Second Time Around,” plus “I Love Betsy” and “Out In The Sun” from “Honeymoon In Vegas.”

The headliner clearly had a soft spot for the bygone era, also reverently recalling “Love Potion No. 9,” “You Go To My Head,” “I Don’t Remember Ever Growing Up” and “If My Friends Could See Me Now,” while cheerfully introducing them to the next generations of listeners.

A closing medley of many Motown classics had the Des Plaines Theatre singing and clapping along, and by the time Danza took a final bow, earned a full-fledged standing ovation for doing such a stunning job stepping out of the screen and onto the stage.

For additional information on Tony Danza, visit TonyDanza.com.

Upcoming shows at the Des Plaines Theatre include Kenny Wayne Shepherd (Oct. 15); Taylor Dayne (Oct. 16); The Musical Box (Oct. 17); I Am, He Said (Oct. 18); Lights Out (Oct. 24); Italian Bred (Oct. 25); The Buddy Rich Big Band (Oct. 25); “Rocky” In Concert (Oct. 28); Yakuza Plays “The Golem” (Oct. 29); The Vampire Circus (Oct. 31); Sincerely Sinatra Big Band Show (Nov. 1); “Wheel Of Fortune” Live! (Nov. 5); Stray Cat Lee Rocker (Nov. 6); Made In America: A Tribute To Toby Keith (Nov. 7); Denise Tomasello (Nov. 8); Engelbert Humperdinck (Nov. 11); Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening (Nov. 12); GCS featuring Eric Gales, Dennis Chambers and Billy Sheehan (Nov. 13); John Waite (Nov. 14); Art Garfunkel (Nov. 19); The Phil Collins Experience (Nov. 20); Pooh (Nov. 22); Hairbangers Ball (Nov. 25); Kasmir (Nov. 27); Deacon Blues (Nov. 28); The Buckinghams, Ides Of March, The New Colony Six and The Cryan’ Shames (Nov. 29). For additional details, visit DesPlainesTheatre.com.

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