My Review of TABOO

With all due respect to Al Dente, I am posting this review of TABOO in hopes that I can become an overnight sensation:

I loved TABOO!!! It is a totally amazing show--and I know what I'm talking about because I've seen every Frank Wildhorn musical since VICTOR/VICTORIA, which was also totally amazing.
First of all, the story is fabulous. It gripped me in my seat like nothing else on Broadway or hereafter. It just was so awesome that I can't put it into words. All I can say is, it was sensational in every way. It really was.
The music is downright amazing, too. I mean, it's like only 5 minuets into the show and you know it's like gonna be something special.
I also loved, loved, loved the actors. I mean, who could imagine that such incredible talent could be brought together to put on a show like this? I mean, have you ever seen Boy George live? Well, he's live in this and he always will be. And there's that Raul Expresso guy, who is also totally amazing. In fact, everything about this show is amazing.
Don't take my wod for it. See the show for yourself, because Rosie's name is involved with the show and that means success.
See the show soon because if it closes tomorrow you won't be able to see it tonight.

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lordy, lordy, i can barely type from the tears in my eyes over this one. thank you, dolly. it's such a pleasure to read a literate post from such an onviously objective and insightful reviewer.

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Wow, based on this review I can't believe Rosie isn't raising ticket prices right now.

Oh, what was that you say, Taboo was only 42% full last week?

Better lower prices, Rosie.

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Dollypop, you are a Wildhorn fan ? You immediately have my respect as a man who has good taste

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Raul Expresso...lol

Sounds awesome, Dolly!

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I think our dear Dollypop is just hoping to get quoted in the next Taboo press release.

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I saw the show last night and really loved it. Still, while you're in previews, I would like to suggest a few cuts, ideas.

Overall, I had wished that the musical arrangements could have been more evocative of the 80s. For example, the number that opens up the second act is excellent while the number that opens up the show pales in comparison. Why? Well maybe because it is harmonically more rooted in the music hall tradition, and that's fine, but a different arrangement would make it more exciting. It seemed more obligatory than generating the sense of excitement/suspense that I was hoping for.

Admittedly the show is ballad-heavy, especially in the second act where every main character has their "show stopper" solo, all in a row (with the exception of "Ich Bin Kunst", more on that to follow). If a verse was trimmed from each of these (with the exception of "Il Adore" which is perfect and very moving) you could pick up the pace considerably, probably trimming close to 15 min. off the running time (we got out of there a little after 10:45) and, I feel, would help out the show for the American audiences.

Speaking of "Il Adore"', the use of video projection was brilliant. It makes me think that more of this, in the first act and in the larger production numbers, on screens that flew down over the super-structure would be very welcome in conveying a sense of the 80s: chronilogically correct events of the times, etc. etc.

"Ich Bin Kunst", while off to a great start, fell flat at the end. When the costumed characters entered I felt that a different choreography could have put them to better use. The costumes alone, while stunning, didn't give the ending of the number the punch that I feel was intended, and a little more punch was needed. You could feel it in the audience. A pumped up musical arrangement toward the end wouldn't hurt either. I'm not speaking of Leigh Bowery's coda where the platform recedes upstage, but just before that. Also, this is one number that breaks up the sameness of the ballad-after-ballad format mentioned above.

All in all, it is a great show and I wish you all a tremendous success on Broadway.

All the best,
Patrick Grant

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