On Tap: Tony Danza’s ‘Standards and Stories’ show coming to Pittsburg
Backed by a four-piece band, the star of stage and screen sing standards, tap-dances, plays the ukulele and tells stories about his life and personal connection to the music.
PITTSBURG
Tony Danza will entertain audiences with his “Standards and Stories” show at 8 p.m. Feb. 17 in the Pittsburg California Theatre at 351 Railroad Ave. Backed by a four-piece band, the star of stage and screen sing standards, tap-dances, plays the ukulele and tells stories about his life and personal connection to the music.
Best known for the TV shows “Taxi” and “Who’s the Boss,” Danza also played a charming gangster in the Broadway musical “Honeymoon in Vegas” and starred in the Starz drama “Power Book III: Raising Kanan.” To get tickets online at $45 (balcony) to $85 (main floor VIP), visit pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com.
— Pittsburg California Theatre
LAFAYETTE
Town Hall Theatre to host sing-along ‘Hairspray!’ showing
Town Hall Theatre’s movie nights are back with a new name, “The Sing-Along Series.” The first will be a sing-along screening of “Hairspray!” at 7 p.m. Feb. 3 in the theater at 3535 School St.
The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with a cash/card bar featuring a raffle and a signature cocktail that will have participants feeling welcomed to the 1960s. Next up is a Team Trivia contest at 6 p.m. featuring questions about the movie, lyrics and more. After trivia, head upstairs at 7 p.m. for a big-screen showing and sing-along of “Hairspray!”
The raffle prizes will feature gift baskets from local vendors, and tickets are one for $20 and two for $35. All proceeds will benefit live theater and theater education programs at Town Hall Theatre. Visit townhalltheatre.com/sing-along-hairspray for $20 tickets in advance or pay $25 at the door.
One-night folk music festival Feb. 2 at Town Hall Theatre
Town Hall Theatre and Front Porch Open Mic will collaborate for a one-night folk music festival at 7 p.m. Feb. 2 in the theater at 3535 School St. The event will bring together local acoustic musicians and performers for an entertaining, inspiring talent showcase.
The series was a big success in 2023, drawing in several hundred audience members who enjoyed listening to the onstage and lobby performers. The event was founded five years ago when local musicians Andrée and Austin Hurst decided opportunities were lacking for other local musicians to perform in a supportive, inclusive environment.
Similar events at the venue are planned for April 5, Aug. 2 and Nov. 1. The cost is $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For more information, call 925-283-1557.
— Town Hall Theatre
ORINDA
French film ‘Driving Madeleine’ to show for at least a week
The International Film Showcase will screen the French film “Driving Madeleine” for at least one week starting Friday at the Orinda Theatre. The Christian Carion film will also screen Saturday at the Jarvis Conservatory in Napa.
As the story goes, a seemingly simple taxi ride across Paris evolves into a profound meditation on the realities of the driver, whose personal life is in shambles, and his fare, an elderly woman whose warmth belies her shocking past.
Charles (Dany Boon) plays the taxi driver in Paris who’s having a very bad day. Madeleine (Line Renaud), meanwhile, is the immaculately groomed 92-year-old woman who informs Charles that the day’s trip will not be a direct one.
She is moving into a care home and would like to make some stops along the way, predicting that this might be her last car ride through the city. See a trailer at youtu.be/w_ZLwuO2eg8, and visit internationalshowcase.org for more details online.
The film is a study in power dynamics, with themes of truth, justice, racism, respect, and children’s rights that demonstrate how individuals are worn down between entrenched positions. Up next will be Germany’s Oscar submission, “The Teacher’s Lounge,” opening Feb. 9 in Orinda and Feb. 17 in Napa.
— International Film Showcase
Submit area arts-and-entertainment On Tap items to Judith Prieve at jprieve@bayareanewsgroup.com.