The Boy Band Project celebrated Pride Weekend at its home away from home at City Winery NYC with another fabulous edition of the Boy Band Brunch on Saturday, June 29, beginning at noon. The latest show featured The BBP’s multi-hyphenate creator Travis Nesbitt (Altar Boyz) and three more recent additions to the group’s rotating roster of stars from the stage – Nathan Cockroft (Jersey Boys), Jonah Mayor (Thriller Live!), and Jared Zirilli (Summer: The Donna Summer Musical) – and you’d never know that they haven’t been a part of the group from day one. To borrow a phrase from the time of the boy band explosion in the ‘80s and ‘90s, they were “all that” and more, nailing the knockout solos and flawless harmonies, delivering the dynamic moves with precision and non-stop energy, and parodically embodying the familiar archetypes, hot looks, and “all the feelings” of NSYNC, One Direction, Backstreet Boys, New Kids on the Block, and other favorites of the genre.
In addition to their stellar vocals and perfectly synchronized choreography, the cast of triple threats highlighted their acting and comedic (and air guitar!) skills, embracing their portrayals of The Sporty One (Nathan), The Boy Next Door (Travis), The Bad Boy (Jared), and The Sensitive One (Jonah), capturing just the right attitudes, demeanors, body language, and facial expressions, joking and interacting with each other, wearing costumes consistent with their characterizations, and making it as much a spot-on theatrical performance as a top-notch tribute concert.
The set opened with animated powerhouse renditions of the boy band classics “Bye Bye Bye,” “I Want It that Way,” and “Quit Playing Games with My Heart,” followed by a seated segment to catch their breath, to address the audience directly, and to deliver some slower paced numbers like “This I Promise You.” Then they pumped it up again with their exhilarating versions of “The Right Stuff” and “Step by Step” and their blockbuster performances of “The Story of My Life,” “What Makes You Beautiful,” and other fan faves. They also did a cover of “My Heart Will Go On,” the theme song from the 1997 movie Titanic, since, Travis explained, even though it’s not a boy band song, they play a lot of entertainment cruises and spend a lot of time on ships, and, I can add, made it their own.
In signature style, the live concert was accompanied by large-screen projections of the bands, movies, TV shows, and commercials of the era, along with videos of The BBP’s own single hits “Get Behind My Love” and “Jingle My Bells,” written for them by collaborator and friend Michael Mott. As always, there were the electrifying up-close and personal interactions with their fans, as they circulated through the house, got down low at the edge of the stage, sang directly to members of the audience, brought one up on stage with them, and rewarded her with a BBP tee-shirt, because being sung to and surrounded by them isn’t enough. “As if.”
During the show, Andy Owens unexpectedly took the stage to wish his husband Travis a happy birthday (which was the day before the concert, on June 28) and to express pride in him and his work, noting that he’s not only the founder, producer, host, and lead of The Boy Band Project, but also does all the choreography, casting, training/rehearsals, video selections, costuming, bookings, press, and everything else there is to do that has made them a sensation. And I should add that he and the Boys are active advocates for the LGBTQIA+ community, who, earlier in June’s Pride Month, appeared in the annual fundraiser Broadway Bares, raising $14,708 collectively (with The BBP’s longtime members Jesse Corbin, Jesse JP Johnson, Chris Messina, and special guest John Edwards) for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
I’m also happy to say that, while taking a moment to thank the audience for coming to the Boy Band Brunch, Travis announced that The Boy Band Project’s residency at City Winery has been extended through January 25, 2025, so if you missed the performance on Pride Weekend, the Boys will be there every other Saturday for the rest of the year and beyond. Needless to say, they’re a smash hit and extraordinary talents who should not be missed, so embrace your inner Superfan, be sure to get your tickets before they sell out, and become part of the BBB phenomenon.
Running Time: Approximately 90 minutes, without intermission.
Boy Band Brunch played on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at City Winery NYC, 25 Eleventh Avenue, NYC. For tickets to upcoming shows (priced at $35, not including brunch or gratuity; no food/drink minimum is required), go online.
