"She did a great job and was cute on stage," said 21-year-old Mae M. Hallak of Boston. "When her microphone stopped working and she couldn't talk, she handled it well. Things like that happen, and she didn't try to act too much like a professional about it."
Other fans admired Ali for reasons besides her singing and acting talents.
"I think it's great that Tatyana is going to college, and especially one like Harvard," said 24-year-old Archer P. Batravil. "Most musicians and athletes never get an education, and then they never have anything to fall back on."
Ayana E. Johnson '02, who lives next door to Ali and was one of her "shout-outs," said she was excited to see her close friend perform.
"She did an awesome job but it was the same as when we dance together in our rooms," she said.
Probably the most disappointing aspect of the show was that the fans thought it was all too short.
"She only performed three songs, and I was hoping that the show would be at least three times as long," said 27-year-old Justin C. Corrigan of Dorchester.
But for pre-teen attendees Andy P. Scott, Chris M. White and Eamon M. White, their first concert experience was "awesome" anyway.
"We not only got to see Tatyana Ali perform, but we got to talk to her too," White said. "If this is how great concerts are, then I can't wait to go to my next one."
Those in charge of the show said that the intimate setting of the House of Blues--far smaller than many clubs--was selected deliberately for this performance.
"I chose the House of Blues because I wanted a location with a limited occupancy," said "Cadillac Jack," Ali's performance manager. "And I wanted the show to be intimate enough so that fans will look back and remember seeing Tatyana Ali at a small show back in '99."
Ali will take a leave of absence from Harvard next semester to rehearse and perform with the musical group 'N Sync. Ali was invited by the five-member "boy group" to open for them on a 50-city show.
"It was an honor to be asked by N Sync to perform with them--especially because they are going to be able to sell out their shows on their own," Ali said.
Ali and 'N Sync are scheduled to perform in Boston at the Fleet Center on March 16.