His last name, as he points out, is "close to dancer." And "Tony spelled backwards is Y-not." So while readying a new sitcome for NBC, Tony Danza stayed on his toes this January by bringing his song and dance act to Manhattan's Rainbow & Stars nightclub for a two-week stint. Opening night, the show was delayed to await the arrival of Liza Minnelli from her show, "Victor/Victoria." No matter. An intimate audience, including Chazz Palminteri, Harvey Keitel, and Engelbert Humperdinck, contentedly admired the city skiyline until Danza took the state at a sophistical midnight plus. Danza, 45, charmed the room with "Everybody Loves Somebody," a doo-wop version of "Blue Moon," and a tender rendition of "Angel Eyes." For his between-song banter he drew from his life as the son of a Brooklyn garbageman and a Dean Martin-loving mom. He also gossiped about Taxi and Who's The Boss? ( "Danny Devito has "the longest nasal hairs in the business. Nasal bangs!" ). If the audience "is having a good time," says Danza, "there's no better compliment. I wish i had Pavarotti's voice, but what can you do?" But the adoring crowd wasn't here for the opera. No, appreciating Danza's earnest showmanship was more like watching a cousin do karaoke- a cousin with talent. By the time Danza launched into "When You're Smiling," everybody was.

By: Stephanie Williams