Abravanel Hall was full of screaming girls holding signs proclaiming their adoration on Monday night - and they weren't there for the Utah Symphony.

Teen stars Jordin Sparks and Jesse McCartney performed their pop and R&B hits for an audience of young girls and their bored parents. The venue never reached more than half-capacity, leaving gaping holes of empty seats.

McCartney showed off his vocal prowess, slipping easily into falsetto on songs like "My Baby" and showing his personal side with biographical songs like "It's Over." He also dragged out his first hit, "Beautiful Soul," which got the crowd singing along.

During a costume change, McCartney's backup singers treated the crowd with a cover of "Jesse's Girl" while scouting the audience for one lucky fan, who came on stage to be serenaded by McCartney on "You Are My Oxygen." Unfortunately for adoring fans who had clawed their way to the front, she was just about the only one to receive any acknowledgment from him. McCartney was too wrapped up in his minimal choreography to shake the hands reaching up to him, desperate for his touch.

McCartney finished his 60-minute set with his hit "Leavin'," which whipped the house into a frenzy.

Sparks pulled a gutsy move by performing her hit "Tattoo" at the top of her set. The energy occasionally lagged when she performed lesser-known songs from her album, such as "Freeze" and "Virginia Is For Lovers," but Sparks reignited the crowd in between with covers of Alicia Keys' "Fallin'" and Stevie Wonder's "Superstition."

Sparks proved to be a gracious performer, continually thanking fans and shaking outstretched hands. She provided plenty of stories about each song, seeming to say whatever popped into her mind, such as that her pants were falling down. The audience loved her for her candor, and Sparks got a great response when talking about her experience with teen relationships.

Sparks finished the night on a high with "No Air," singing both parts to compensate for the absence of duet partner Chris Brown. She and McCartney came together for an encore, Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel." Most of the crowd appeared too young to know the song, but seemed to enjoy the partnering of their idols regardless.

Jesse McCartney and Jordin Sparks

Teen idols provide some sparks for an adoring crowd.

Where » Abravanel Hall

When » Aug. 11