New Kids on the Block didn't fail to put on a festive party for the ladies Friday at The Venue at Hammond's Horseshoe Casino.

As a digital display counted down the minutes to the show, the largely female audience squealed for the "boys" from Boston.

The five-member band -- brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Donnie Wahlberg, Joey McIntyre and Danny Wood -- were in energetic form during the 90-minute show, the first of three concerts at The Venue. Both Friday's and Saturday's shows were sold out.

Now with most members having hit the 40 mark (with McIntyre still in his mid-30s), the boys have obviously grown up. Their new tunes ("Dirty Dancing," "Looking Like Danger," and "Lights, Camera, Action") prove they're no longer delivering quite so innocent lyrics nor simply cute choreography.

Their sexual appeal was at full tilt during the entire show as fans responded by frequently screaming, singing and dancing in the aisles. The group frequently interacted with fans as they shouted to the crowd from the stage and even went into the audience at one point to get closer to their admirers.

New Kids delivered vocally and didn't disappoint with their sharp, synchronized dancing.

The show's lighting design -- featuring geometric shapes, images, words and bright colors -- was impressive as well.

The Kids dug into their bag of hits and pulled out '80s and '90s favorites such as "Hangin' Tough," "Step by Step," "Cover Girl" and "You Got It (The Right Stuff)." The band also performed a good number of tunes from their latest CD "The Block," including "Summertime," "Full Service" and "Single."

Jordan Knight, a falsetto whiz, and McIntyre, a former contestant on "Dancing with the Stars," still hold their own in the vocal department. McIntyre's performance on the Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of These)" was a standout.

With harmonies still intact and showmanship at a high level, it's safe to say the guys are back in a big way. ---ELOISE MARIE VALADEZ