Recap and Fan Experience: Teresa Schachtel
June 2, 2017 Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles
If ever there was a Teenage Dream fulfilled, it was last Friday night at the Hollywood Bowl’s sold out “Total Package Tour” featuring New Kids on the Block, Paula Abdul and Boyz II Men.
NKOTB:
The first time I ever saw New Kids On The Block was in 1989 at the Universal Ampitheater, which is now Harry Potter World.
And…after all these years, ahem…we won’t say how many…this “boy band” turned “man band” still makes the hearts of the 40 something women flutter. They have kept in shape, don their incredible muscles, and have kept their falsettos and dance routines up to par.
Paula Abdul:
With her self-proclaimed trend setting invention of “the scrunchie” which she mentions in her show, Cutie, Abdul has had a long running, successful career in entertainment. Her high energy show packs a punch with one of a kind choreography and favorites such as “Forever Your Girl” and “Cold Hearted Snake.” Interestingly she tells the tale of how she got her big break at The Forum and how she got cut countless times before making it onto the Laker Girls squad, thus proving that we can do anything we set out minds to if we have the passion and willingness to work for it…Awe. She sang classics such as “Rush, Rush” (pause, while we all take a moment to lovingly remember 80’s heart throb, Keanu Reeves’ music video debut filmed at the Griffith Observatory) and “Opposites Attract“. That sing-a-long still takes me to that happy place where the memory of that Paula Abdul poster hanging above my typewriter encouraged the girl power I once needed to “Straight Up” get me through Chemistry class!
Boyz II Men:
The Tour’s opener, Boyz II Men were romantically dressed in white and handing out red roses to the ladies in the audience. Deep voiced harmonic ballads, like “I’ll Make Love to You” and the emotional, “End of the Road” prove that the Boyz can still deliver that sultry acapella style made famous by the Philadelphia based trio.
