Behind the scenes of the ‘Boy Band Brunch’ at City Winery NYC

By
Deb Miller
-

Did you ever wonder what happens before The Boy Band Project takes the stage in front of a live audience at City Winery NYC for its bi-weekly Boy Band Brunch residency? Wonder no more. Guest photographer Abby Warhola, grandniece of Pop icon Andy Warhol, was there to capture the pre-show preparation, sound check, and final glitter application and costuming (fifteen minutes before curtain time) of the Boys on Saturday, July 13, starting at 10 am. But she didn’t stop there; Abby also shot their hot looks, sizzling moves, expressive vocalizing, and up-close-and-personal interactions on stage during the entire 90-minute concert, covering the biggest hits of One Direction, NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, New Kids on the Block, and all your favorites from the 1980s-90s and into the 21st century. And she stayed for the post-show fan meet-ups and photo opps with The BBP before they said “Bye Bye Bye” till next time.

The Boy Band Project (left to right: Stanley Martin, Travis Nesbitt, Jared Zirilli, and Jonah Mayor). Photo by Abby Warhola.

The week’s roster of triple threats from Broadway and beyond, embodying “all the feelings” of the boy band archetypes, featured founder, producer, choreographer, lead, and host Travis Nesbitt (Altar Boyz) as The Boy Next Door, along with stage and screen star Jared Zirilli (SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical; Wu Tang: An American Saga) as The Bad Boy, Jonah Mayor (Thriller Live!) as The Sensitive One, and Stanley Martin (Aladdin) as The Sporty One.

Backstage in the dressing room with The Boy Band Project:

Costumes for the Boy Band Brunch. Photo by Abby Warhola.
Light-up sneakers for The Boy Band Project. Photo by Abby Warhola.
Jared Zirilli, Travis Nesbitt, and Stanley Martin. Photo by Abby Warhola.
Jared Zirilli. Photo by Abby Warhola.
Jared Zirilli. Photo by Abby Warhola.
Travis Nesbitt. Photo by Abby Warhola.
Travis Nesbitt. Photo by Abby Warhola.
Jonah Mayor. Photo by Abby Warhola.
Jonah Mayor with Travis Nesbitt. Photo by Abby Warhola.
Stanley Martin. Photo by Abby Warhola.
Stanley Martin. Photo by Abby Warhola.

The Boy Band Brunch pre-show sound check:

The Boy Band Project. Photo by Abby Warhola.
The Boy Band Project. Photo by Abby Warhola.
Jared Zirilli, Travis Nesbitt, and Stanley Martin. Photo by Abby Warhola.
The Boy Band Project. Photo by Abby Warhola.
Travis Nesbitt and Stanley Martin. Photo by Abby Warhola.
Jared Zirilli and The Boy Band Project. Photo by Abby Warhola.
Jonah Mayor. Photo by Abby Warhola.
Jonah Mayor. Photo by Abby Warhola.

On-stage performance of the Boy Band Brunch at City Winery NYC:

The Boy Band Project (left to right): Stanley Martin, Travis Nesbitt, Jared Zirilli, and Jonah Mayor. Photo by Abby Warhola.
The Boy Band Project (left to right: Stanley Martin, Travis Nesbitt, Jared Zirilli, and Jonah Mayor). Photo by Abby Warhola.
Stanley Martin and Travis Nesbitt. Photo by Abby Warhola.
Jared Zirilli, with Travis Nesbitt. Photo by Abby Warhola.
Jonah Mayor. Photo by Abby Warhola.
Travis Nesbitt. Photo by Abby Warhola.

The Boy Band Project’s meet-and-greet with fans after the show:

Travis Nesbitt, with Jonah Mayor and fans. Photo by Abby Warhola.

The Boy Band Project returns to their home-away-from-home at City Winery for the next Boy Band Brunch on Saturday, August 3, with the rotating cast of Jesse JP Johnson, Nic Metcalf, Jared Zirilli, and Carlos Jimenez, so if you like what you see (and what’s not to like?), don’t miss this fabulous pop-culture throwback to the height of the boy band phenomenon by these phenomenal stars of today.

Running Time: Approximately 90 minutes, without intermission.

The Boy Band Project’s Boy Band Brunch plays on August 3, 2024 (and two Saturdays a month through January 25, 2025), at 11:30 am (doors open at 11), at City Winery, 25 Eleventh Avenue, NYC. For tickets to upcoming shows (priced at $35, not including brunch or gratuity; no food or drink minimum is required), go online.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR