The Boy Band Project: Chris Messina, Travis Nesbitt, Zach Schanne, Nic Metcalf (Photo: Deb Miller)
Boy Band Brunch
by Deb Miller on July 2, 2026
You think it’s hot outside? One of the hottest, most exciting, and entertaining events of this year’s Pride Month (and every month) was The Boy Band Project’s Boy Band Brunch at City Winery. Comprised of a rotating roster of four triple threats from the New York stage, The Boy Band Project can always be counted on to deliver a perfect synthesis of singing, dancing, and enacting the familiar archetypes of the guy groups from the ‘80s to now. They do it all with spot-on musical stylings, precisely synchronized moves, and tongue-in-cheek humor. Add in their exceedingly good looks, well-toned muscular bodies, charisma, and up-close-and-personal interactive engagements with the audience, on stage and off, and the heat turns way up and their Superfans keep panting for more.
The June 27th concert featured Chris Messina as The Sporty One, Zach Schanne as The Bad Boy, Nic Metcalf as The Sensitive One, and the group’s founder, producer, director, choreographer, designer, host, and lead Travis Nesbitt as The Boy Next Door (slyly winking and noting, during this special Gay Pride installment, that “Moms love me . . . and so do Dads”). Each of the mega-talented foursome paid homage to the essence of the Boy Band originals, recreating the authentic moods, assuming just the right attitudes, wearing apropos costumes (along with face glitter and light-up sneakers), and sharing “all the feelings” of the distinctive personalities they parodically embody, while making each number their own.
The Boy Band Project (Photo: Ray Costello)
With their smooth, powerful, and expressive voices, astonishing vocal range, amazing breath control, and flawless four-part harmonies, they took us through a set list of beloved boy band classics. The set opened with a dynamic mash-up of *NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye” and “Tearin’ Up My Heart” with Backstreet Boys’ “Everybody.” They then toned it down with a seated stool segment of funny direct-address banter and the romantic slower-paced “This I Promise You” (also by *NSYNC), highlighting their breathtaking long notes (and Nic miming playing a flute with his hand mic). They “pumped it up” again with a high-energy “Dance Megamix” of New Kids on the Block’s “You’ve Got It (The Right Stuff)” and “Step by Step,” 98 Degrees’ “Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche)” and “Every Little Thing,” which left the entire house breathless.
Other numbers included Boyz II Men’s “I’ll Make Love to You,” *NSYNC’s “It’s Gonna Be Me,” Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It that Way” and “All I Have to Give” (sung to, and playfully competing for the attention of, a member of the audience they brought up on stage and gifted with a BBP tee-shirt), BBMak’s “Back Here” (with Zach performing a segment of rap), and Jonas Brothers’ “Sucker” (toasting with a round of shots to celebrate Gay Pride). In addition to the group songs were two “Solo Medleys,” showcasing the individual talents of each of the Boys, and two surprise selections – “My Heart Will Go On” from the 1997 film Titanic (since the group appears frequently on entertainment cruises around the globe) and “I 2 I” from Disney’s A Goofy Movie of 1995. Even during intermission, the fun didn’t stop. We were treated to projections of vintage clips from the era of the Boy Band Boom and The Boy Band Project’s own 2019 steamy hit song and video “Get Behind My Love,” written for them by their collaborator Michael Mott.
The Boy Band Project (Photo: Deb Miller)
After removing another layer of their “strippable” costumes, the show ended with Travis inviting the house to get up and dance, and to sing along to One Direction’s blockbuster hits “Story of My Life” (with Chris changing the lyrics from “her” to “him,” in keeping with Gay Pride) and “What Makes You Beautiful” – the crowd–favorite staples of every show they do, which, per usual, resulted in the enthusiastic audience screaming for an encore. The Boys obliged, and after taking their final bows, returned to the room, meeting with the audience, posing for photos, and autographing The BBP merch, with their signature appreciation and charm.
If you missed the June Pride Edition of the Boy Band Brunch – and, Boy, do they have a lot to be proud of – you can catch The Boy Band Project monthly, on a Saturday or Sunday, at City Winery, starting at 11:30 am (doors open at 10:30). The upcoming dates are July 25, August 8, September 20, October 25, November 21, December 20, and January 16, so be sure to mark your calendar for the most mouth-watering brunch you could ever hope to have!
Boy Band Brunch
At City Winery NYC
Pier 57, 25 Eleventh Ave.
Running time: 2 hours, one intermission, and a post-show meet-and-greet photo op
Through January 16, 2027
