Roma Torre's NY1 review of Taboo

[JO125]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 7:39am

Caught this on NY1 this morning. Positive review. I am relying on memory now, but compared to some of the other reviews, it seemed to be practically a love letter. She liked the show. Gave lots of great quotes they can use to promote the show. I wish I could remember some off-hand. She noted the structural problems, the book problems, that it won't be everybody's cup of tea, would have been better off-broadway. She fears the target audience would not be able to afford the tickets.

This review will run on "OnStage" this weekend, though I assume they run it throughout the day on NY1. Does not seem to be posted on the website yet, so there is no link. Updated On: 11/14/03 at 07:39 AM

[LouW95]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 8:36am

Roma loved Taboo as much as she loved Little Shop-raves for both. By the way, LSOH received, according to an article in Variety, 9 positive reviews, 3 mixed and 1 bad--not bad at all for this season.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 8:45am

But will Mr & Mrs Middle America Tourist buy tickets?

[mamamia sammy]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 11:56am

The most important question is how did it rate in the Zagats?

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 1:22pm

I'm supposed to see Taboo in early Decemeber with some friends, so I'll decide if I like it or not at that time; but I have noticed a trend that whenever Roma raves about a show I end up hating it, and whenever she hates a show, I end up liking it. Maybe I'll be lucky with this one and that trend will stop.

Updated On: 11/14/03 at 01:22 PM

[JO125]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 4:33pm

"But will Mr. & Mrs. Middle America Tourist buy tickets?"

Well not based on Roma's review, since they would probbly never see it. I think they would need good reviews to appear in the national publications, maybe Entertainment Weekly, etc.

I was also thinking that the reviews give more of an actual synopsis of the show than has been previously given. Rosie has always been very vague about the show when discussing it on talk shows. The subject matter has a rather limited appeal.

Maybe if they start putting the performances on TV, showcasing the score and performers, the show could generate some positive word-of-mouth. Avenue Q, Boy From Oz, Little Shop, and now Wicked all have a head start in that department.

[sparky310]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 4:38pm

Although Ms. Torre is entitled to her own opinion, there seems to be a slant to the shows she likes..particularly if they are helmed by women...no offense but i've watched her closely over the last year...and it does seem she favors the female helmed productions.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 4:53pm

Again, I find her to be a bitter hack.

[lc1965]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 5:04pm

To JO125: I agree about middle America not knowing reviews like NY1, which is a shame that Elysa Gardner at USA Today is placed where she is. She doesn't seem to really grasp what happens in theatre. It's odd, but she's always out of synch w/ the other reviewers.

[stagedoorguy]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 5:12pm

Here's the link to the review.
NY1 Review

[JO125]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 5:45pm

lc1965, I didn't see the USA Today review. How was it?

Thank you, stagedoorguy for the link. I just found it myself, and you saved me the trouble of posting it

"...it's surprisingly good with some sensational performances and a very strong score by Boy George"

Rosie, get this quote in your ads NOW!!!

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 6:02pm

al, i really wish that you would stop beating around the bush when it comes to your feelings about roma...sheesh

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 6:16pm

I don't know if I would consider her a hack, but I agree that she is often bitter.
Am I the only one who is bothered by the fact that both "On Stage!" and "Theatre Talk" are hosted by such a dull group of people? You can just tell that they were all the types who were picked on and harassed in school; then they try to act like (excuse the expression) hot-**** on television and just come off as arrogant.
It wouldn't hurt NY1 or PBS to find some hosts who know about theatre AND can keep viewers interested in what they have to say.

[JO125]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 6:27pm

There aren't many alternatives to Theatre Talk and On Stage for TV coverage of theatre. I actually love the Americcan Theatre Wing Seminars, but lots of people don't access that show.

In fact, lots of areas in NYC don't get On Stage. My mother in Brooklyn doesn't on her cable system.

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 6:33pm

"There aren't many alternatives to Theatre Talk and On Stage for TV coverage of theatre."

Well, that's where the unfortunate problem comes in to play. If there were better alternatives, nobody would watch those other two programs.

[JO125]

Posted: 11/14/03 at 6:46pm

One would think that at least in NYC, there would be more theater alternatives on TV. Too bad. I watch whatever I have available.

[Corine2]

Posted: 11/15/03 at 3:04pm

Al,
You are always so negative. Who do you like Al?
I love On Stage and Theater Talk.
Updated On: 11/15/03 at 03:04 PM

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 11/15/03 at 3:20pm

well, i don't have a problem with either on stage or theatre talk. but i do believe that it is quite ridiculous that in the heart of broadway here, we don't have more that one half hour weekly show devoted to a multi-billion dollar performance industry.

how much can it cost to throw together a cable access show? anybody who managed to put together a decent one would be able to get just about anybody from the theatre community to guest. especially if were not a bitchy little gossip fest, but rather a place to talk about issues, shows and people important to the industry.

i mean we all have so many opinions here online, how much would it really take for a couple of us to get together, and put up a better product once a week? do a few shows and you'll get a buzz and a reputation. i mean how hard can it be to get a better rep than theatre talk? at worst, it'd flop and nobody'd see it and it would be a few weeks and a few dollars out the window. who's to say that someone wouldn't see it and want to pick it up? either way it would get people that we care about and issues that are important to us out in front of a few more people. how could that be bad?

i might just be talking out my ass here, but i'm gonna look into this a little bit. anybody who's interested, let me know.

[Corine2]

Posted: 11/15/03 at 3:23pm

Updated On: 11/15/03 at 03:23 PM

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 11/16/03 at 7:50pm

Well, after watching this week's addition of On Stage, I must admit that as far as critic's go I do like Dennis Cunningham. Even if he doesn't like something he says it in a classy and respectful way. He never comes off as bitter, and as a viewer I appreciate that. :)

Hey Papa, you can always count me in for your theatre show idea. If anything, I'm a fairly good video editor, and I'm very opinionated. I've worked for a talk show, a court show, and a reality show...so this wouldn't be much different.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 11/16/03 at 7:59pm

You don't really want to get into a *debate* with me Corine, now do you? Again, a rhetorical question. I like *intelligent* people with opinion's that don't border on stalker-esque worship. I'm opinionated, not mean. To go any further would be mean. Enough said.