What's the deal with Taboo?

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 7/14/03 at 11:49pm

Have they finished casting? Have they decided on a preview or opening night date? Have they decided on a theatre? Word has it, it's going in the Plymouth Theatre.

The posters that are up for this show kind of scare me, but I still want to see it. LOL

[ChrisLovesShows]

Posted: 7/14/03 at 11:59pm

I have to tell you, I wasn't really interested until Raul Esparza signed on. He is a great talent. I'll see it just for him.

[CJR]

Posted: 7/15/03 at 12:28am

The poster is kinda interesting... while waiting for a friend of mine at the Shubert the other day and spent a little too much time looking at the poster.. It marginally alarms me though it intrigues me at the same time.

[cabarethed]

Posted: 7/15/03 at 12:43am

Mmm, yes, Raul. Hey, I love Boy George, drag, shock value, and the 80s, but I have a feeling I would have skipped this if the wonderful Mr Esparza hadn't signed on.

[skingdom]

Posted: 7/15/03 at 3:29am

When does it open? Sarah Uriarte Berry!!!

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/15/03 at 3:38am

Plymouth Theatre
Previews :: Oct 21
Opening :: Nov 13
Last announcedment was that all roles have been cast with the exception of the role of 'Marilyn'

[LC]

Posted: 7/15/03 at 3:42am

Previews Oct 21. Opening night Nov 13. Plymouth Theatre.

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 7/15/03 at 1:39pm

Thanks for the info guys.

CJR, I felt the same way about the poster. At first I was alarmed, but for some reason I couldn't stop looking at it and trying to analyze it.

[Duane Reade]

Posted: 7/15/03 at 2:13pm

I've got one word for you: BOMB. Guaranteed.

[Hank]

Posted: 7/15/03 at 3:48pm

Anything to do with Boy George can be thought of as scary. Having lived through that era myself, I can't help but to be fascinated. I'm wondering what kind of audience this show will attract. I, myself, being a target will definitly be there, and Raul E, of Rocky Horror fame, is a big plus!

[AlienOnBroadway]

Posted: 7/15/03 at 4:30pm

They are lucky that they got Raul, who will add a little bit of "credibility" to the show and will likely draw in people that would not have gone otherwise. (as evidenced here)
He is fabulous. I hope I get to NY before the thing bombs and closes.

And the poster: like a car crash, you can't help but look and keep looking.

[Duane Reade]

Posted: 7/15/03 at 4:41pm

Raul's had a lucky streak. Will be interesting to see when it runs out. Don't get me wrong--he's talented, but...

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 7/15/03 at 4:48pm

has anyone seen the production or heard any music? if so, please share!

[PJ]

Posted: 7/15/03 at 8:43pm

The only music I've heard from the show are the little samples they play on the official site. The one sounds catchy, it might be called "Everything Taboo" or something. But I still don't really see anything about this show that I would be willing to see it for, other than Raul Esparza. He's a great actor, I saw him in Cabaret this past December. Great charisma.

[luluhed]

Posted: 7/15/03 at 9:13pm

I hope it doesn't bomb. To me it sounds intriguing, and having someone as talented as Raul in the cast can't hurt. What role is he playing? I haven't seen anyone that multitalented in a long time.

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 7/15/03 at 9:26pm

I don't see it bombing. It was a huge hit in London. Why shouldn't it be the same here?

[PJ]

Posted: 7/15/03 at 9:40pm

Was it a "huge" hit in London. I read somewhere that it wasn't THAT successful. I honestly don't see it having a very long run. Even with Raul.

[JAS]

Posted: 7/15/03 at 10:01pm

I saw the show back in February, with Lee Wilson as my theatre companion.....

I loved it. There were some book problems, but the story was pretty compelling and a lot of the material really moving.

Boy George's score is varied and very listenable. Several of the ballads ("Talk Amongst Yourselves," "Love is a Question Mark," and "Stranger in This World" leap to mind) were just gorgeous and I DARE people who hear "Touched by the Hand of Cool" to NOT have the infectious tune running through their heads for days.

And two of the shows greatest assets, namely Euan Morton and Boy George himself, will be performing onstage with some wonderful talents.....I say give the show a chance, and I'm SURE Lee would back me up on that!

[TheaterBaby]

Posted: 7/15/03 at 11:01pm

You can purchase the London cast recording in music stores. Didn't Cindy Lauper do the music for Taboo? She's awesome, which is one of the reasons I want to see the show. But I won't go while it's in previews. I want to see it after it opens.

"Car wreck" Good description for the poster. That's exactly what it's like.

[LC]

Posted: 7/16/03 at 12:06am

Raul is playing the key role of real life character Philip Sallon. (London club legend, party host, bitchy queen, Jewish Momma, friend of Boy George for the past 27 years) This character pretty much acts as emcee/narrator for the whole piece. It won actor, Paul Baker, the Olivier award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical in London. The show had 4 Olivier nominations.

[LC]

Posted: 7/16/03 at 12:12am

For anyone who is interested, there is tons of information about the London show, including links to professional reviews and media clips, on the unofficial Taboo fan site:

http://www.taboo-unofficial.co.uk/

[LC]

Posted: 7/16/03 at 12:21am

Cindy Lauper is not assocciated with Taboo.

[cabarethed]

Posted: 7/16/03 at 1:04am

Duane Reade, apparently you didn't see Raul in the limited run of The Green Violin in Philly this past May...I absolutely adore the man, he's one of my all time favorite actors and one of the kindest men I've met...but that show was a definite low point in this stage of his career. I'm still baffled as to why he did it, but oh well.

[Becky]

Posted: 7/16/03 at 1:34am

"but that show was a definite low point in this stage of his career. I'm still baffled as to why he did it"

LOL! In his defense, the script changed a great deal from the time Raul signed on to the opening. They made many changes, and as a result, the show didn't really work in the end.

I'm not sure I would agree with the "lucky streak" comment. Raul has worked very hard over the years and proved himself to be a professional/talented performer -- and as a result he has had many wonderful projects come his way. To say he's been lucky seems to take away from the dedication he's poured into his work. Maybe he's lucky in the sense that he was able to get his foot in the door to prove himself, but it's his talent that's kept him in...and it doesn't seem to be slowing up. **knock on wood** Updated On: 7/16/03 at 01:34 AM

[PJ]

Posted: 7/16/03 at 1:36am

My guess is his performance in this show will be one of the very few, if not THE high point of this show. I like Boy George's pop music days...Karma Chameleon, oy those were the days, but a musical? ehh I don't know. But I'd love to be proved wrong and have it be a wonderful show.