Centre Daily Times Review: 2/11/00, University Park, PA

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Feb 12, 2000 Source: Centre Daily Times Submitted By: michelle B-Rok The Backstreet Boys wow 'em By CHRIS KREWSON Centre Daily Times UNIVERSITY PARK - Their every move - projected on immense TV screens - drew screams of glee from the largely young, largely female crowd. Even a promotional video 15 minutes before showtime was enough to cause ushers to don their earplugs. And when Backstreet Boys member Kevin Richardson's face appeared on one of those screens, a lift of his eyebrow was all it took to set off waves of cheers. Larger than life, indeed. By the sound of it, the crowd that came to see the Boys for the beginning of their 2000 tour wasn't disappointed with their performance Friday night at the Bryce Jordan Center. The sold-out show relied heavily on pyrotechnics, fancy lighting, an entourage of dancers and quick costume changes. And oh yeah - they sang, too, opening the show with "Larger Than Life," the chart-topping single from their album Millennium. Fans eager for a glimpse of the Fab Five waved signs and limbs emblazoned with the names of their favorite singer. That included 13-year-old Amy Wargo from Johnstown, who had painted her favorite - "Brian" (last name Littrell) - on her cheek. "I was on the phone for four hours to try to get tickets," Wargo said. "This was my Christmas present." Becky Pollina, an 11-year-old Ebensburg resident, said she likes the Backstreet Boys "because they're a good band and they're cute." Mary Louise Wargo, Amy's mom, said she was happy to see her daughter and her friends so happy. "It seems like a dream come true for them," she said. Penn State student Julie Saccenta, 20, said she became a fan after hearing the "Millennium" CD. She said the band's clean-cut image is good for the legions of adoring fans. "It's good for little kids to look up to them," Saccenta said, "like we looked up to the New Kids On The Block. They're role models." Nine-year-old Jordan Sterrett had eyes only for Nick Carter, and said she was waiting to hear "Larger Than Life" and "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)" at the Friday night show, "because they're loud and they're just my favorite songs." Her mother, Rhonda Leiter of Howard, said her daughter's love for the band isn't surprising. After all, she had a similar infatuation years ago - for the Osmond Brothers. "I had their posters, everything they had out. It was great," Leiter said before the show. "I told her she's a very lucky girl." Chris Krewson can be reached at 231-4648 or ckrewson@centredaily.com Comment on this item. Recent Comments Submitted by: nice penalty removal Ti1xr9 magnificent points altogether, you simply gained a brand new reader. What would you suggest in regards to your post that you made some days ago? Any positive? Comment on this item. Next Item: Albany Times Union Preview: 2/11/00, University Park, PA Prev Item: Times Union Review: 2/14/00, Albany, NY