Boyz II Men proves it's still a favorite in return to Stuart's Lyric Theatre

STUART — With 20 years performing smooth love hits, members of Boyz II Men have become masters at making women feel giddy.

At the vocal trio's concert Friday evening at The Lyric Theatre, women in the audience howled, whistled and some even shouted "I love you" during the soundtracks to breakups, makeups and school dances of the '90s. The night was reminiscent of last year's Boyz II Men concert, also at The Lyric.

Siobhan Cooper, 45, drove to Stuart from Tampa to watch the show.

"I'm about to have a heart attack right now," Cooper said when the group came out on stage. "I've been a fan since '91, so I had to drive over here to see them. I even bought backstage passes. This was so worth it."

Throughout the night, the soulful group sang songs from its favorite artists, including Marvin Gaye, The Temptations and The 4 Tops.

When the group performed one of its most popular songs, "I'll Make Love to You," members handed out roses to the women in the audience.

But the men in the audience also enjoyed the show.

"I'm a huge fan," said Stuart resident Daniel Kelsey, 26. "I remember when they used to come out on the radio, I'd get my cassette and record their songs."

Boyz II Men does not have one great lead singer, but three — Wanya Morris, Nathan Morris and Shawn Stockman.

Wearing black vests and black pants, the singers belted out their classic slow jams, as well as some new songs from their 20th anniversary album, titled "Twenty."

The group often performs at much larger venues — it will be heading toward Walt Disney World after finishing the Lyric concerts — but the performers' voices resonated perfectly at an intimate theater like The Lyric.

"It's good to be back here," said Stockman. "When we go to the same place twice, you know it's a good thing. This is a nice, serene and peaceful place."

The group ended the concert with its best-known songs, "End of the Road" and "Motown Philly," for which the performers received a standing ovation for the sixth time that night.

Boyz II Men will perform again at 8 tonight at The Lyric Theatre.

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