What's a song-and-dance man to do? Put on a show, naturally.
Next Thursday, Danza will be back at Northeast for a Students vs. Teachers talent show, judged by the audience, with prizes for the winners. Proceeds from the show - augmented by a donor who pledged to match any funds raised - will go directly to the school, the city's largest.
Danza's appearance is no drive-by, said Linda Carroll, principal of the 3,100-student school.
His show, Teach, wrapped up in April 2010, but Danza stayed to teach his class after the cameras left, finishing out the school year. And, he visits often and keeps up with school news via e-mail. Around Thanksgiving, he messaged Carroll: "How was the pep rally?"
Carroll has heard a lot of cynicism about Danza, whose book about his year at Northeast is due out later this year. During his time at the school, he taught one class, and he had a certified teacher to assist him.
He was no joke, the principal said. "He's a teacher," Carroll said. "Some people are born to be teachers, and he's one of them."
Back in California this week, Danza is working on revisions to the book. He's gearing up to star in a musical version of the movie Honeymoon in Vegas, set to debut on Broadway next year.
But his head is very much still in education, and with his students, now seniors. He's written multiple college recommendations. (And, Carroll points out, given out scholarships to Northeast students and donated to the school's uniform fund.)
In an interview this week, Danza reflected on how tough it was to teach - no revelation to anyone who's spent a day in a classroom, but something Danza said he understands much better now.
"It tests you," he said. "It tests you in so many ways."
Teach was plagued by low ratings, but Danza said he doesn't dwell on the show's lack of success.
