Thoughts on Taboo

[GirlfriendFromCanada]

Posted: 12/14/03 at 4:06pm

I went to the matinee of Taboo yesterday and... well, I love it. I really do. I have to admit, I was pretty excited about seeing it and went in expecting to enjoy it, but it really did blow me away.

I think the biggest thing going for this show right now is the incredible cast. I mean, Raúl Esparza, Euan Morton, Brooke Elliot, Jeffrey Carlson, Cary Shields... they are ALL amazing. However, it's not like it's solely the cast breathing in the life, the music and lyrics are great, and the book, while having a few weak points, is pretty good as well. I found myself invested in George, and the majority of the other characters (most particularly Marcus and Big Sue, though I LOVE Marilyn and Phillip Sallon), and through that, I really did care about what was going on. It's not perfect, but there's a lot of greatness in it. Everything really manages to tie together, and I found it very entertaining and fulfilling.

I'd highly recommend this show to anyone who thinks they might be interested in it. It's not for everyone, but it's really such a good time. I am particularly impressed with "Petrified", "Out of Fashion", "Genocide Peroxide" and the finale, "Come on In from the Outside". I was really quite touched by the show. It's good stuff, and deserves to be seen, I think. I hope the word to mouth that is starting has a good enough affect to keep this show open, because really, it is worth it.

[Crazy4MattMorrison52]

Posted: 12/14/03 at 4:10pm

i also loved it . great cast and music

[jai212]

Posted: 12/14/03 at 4:18pm

it was great

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 12/14/03 at 4:31pm

Thanks for the post, Girlfriend!
Now - How would you compare it to AVENUE Q?

[GirlfriendFromCanada]

Posted: 12/14/03 at 4:48pm

I think, right now, while I am still on my "Taboo high", I enjoyed Taboo more. They are entirely different shows, about entirely different things. I enjoyed Avenue Q very much, but when I left, I didn't have that urge to get right back in there. I didn't hope that at the end, it would just start over and I wouldn't have to leave. I did that with Taboo. It completely sucked me in. Avenue Q has a certain charm to it that can't be met by most other shows and is very enjoyable in its own way, so I do find it very hard to compare the two, but on my personal level, I enjoyed Taboo more. In fact I think I enjoyed Taboo most of the four shows I've seen that opened this season (those being Taboo, Little Shop, Wicked and Avenue Q). So yes, I love both shows, but at this point, Taboo is above Avenue Q.

[Becky]

Posted: 12/14/03 at 5:04pm

Glad you had a good time. I absolutely loved it as well.

[Cadriel]

Posted: 12/14/03 at 5:55pm

GirlfriendFromCanada-

I love Taboo (the OLC is playing on my PC right now) too. The book requires some serious work, I think - I'm hoping that someone has the bright idea to do a national tour and that fixes the problems in the book, which I feel are very real, and maybe even brings back a song or two from London.

Where were you sitting yesterday? Did you stagedoor?

-Wayne

[swimming17]

Posted: 12/14/03 at 6:16pm

Thank you for voicing your opinion on Taboo. I've been wanting to see it for a while, but I wasn't sure how I'd like it because most of the reviews seem to be negative. Hearing some positive ones are nice too. I think I might try to see this during Christmas break.

[GirlfriendFromCanada]

Posted: 12/14/03 at 6:25pm

I was sitting in the second row of the mezzanine. I did stage door for a little while. My friends and I stopped by after the evening show again, since we were down the street anyway, and there were more people hanging around then.

I do agree that the biggest problem right now is the book. I don't know if I agree that it needs serious work, but the weakest parts of the show are product of the book more than anything else. It would be nice to see a few changes if possible, but I think they do quite well with what they have as well.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 12/14/03 at 6:36pm

Taboo is a great show. Raul is amazing.

[jakebloke]

Posted: 12/14/03 at 7:33pm

Have to agree with you all. I was also at the Sat matinee...This was my 2nd time seeing it. I loved it the first time but recognized it's flaws...though not huge....in the book. Well this time I was able to let that go and just really enjoy it. It has some of the best music on broadway right now, with am incredibly talented cast. I urge anyone sitting on the fence about this show to go see it. It's worth it.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/15/03 at 1:04pm

Haven't seen it yet, but I figured the critics were being a little harsh. The show has suffered too much gossip and buzz which probably contributed to high expectations. Nearly all of them agree on the performers and the score being top-notch. Most likely, the show will receive several Tony nominations, but the show itself may not last long if it doesn't get some positive press soon.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/15/03 at 1:10pm

Almost forgot......

One thing that puts me off about seeing Taboo is that from what I read, the second sounds an awful lot like the story from Closer to Heaven. I saw this Pet Shop Boys musical in London and hated it. I just could not sympathize with the drug addicts and prostitues who did absolutely nothing to improve their situation. At the end, they wanted you to weep for the dead drug dealer. Why???

Anyway, I'm afraid Taboo will try to do the same. Did anyone else see Closer to heaven that could try and shed some light?

[LC]

Posted: 12/15/03 at 1:30pm

Did you know?...that Paul Keating, who I believe was the lead in Closer To Heaven, was the original actor cast to play Boy George in Taboo. He played BG in the first London workshop, whilst Euan Morton was playing another (later cut) role. By the time this (delayed} workshop took place, Paul Keating had accepted the role in CTH, so the producers of Taboo knew they were still looking for their 'Boy George'.

That's my useless fact for the day Updated On: 12/15/03 at 01:30 PM

[GirlfriendFromCanada]

Posted: 12/15/03 at 3:34pm

I haven't seen that show, and it is kind of hard to explain the ending without a spoiler, but given what you mentioned, I didn't find it to be like that at all. There is a lot going on in the second act, and Boy George's situation is only part of the focus.

I am curious though, to anyone who has already seen Taboo, what did you think of the ending?

[Phantom2]

Posted: 12/15/03 at 3:56pm

Mister Matt - Go see Taboo. That's an order!

PS I am stuck here as a Stand-by, will I ever go on?

Updated On: 12/15/03 at 03:56 PM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/15/03 at 4:11pm

Phantom2 - But what if I don't like it? Am I allowed to leave???

[Phantom2]

Posted: 12/15/03 at 4:17pm

Good one Mister Matt. Nope, that would be rude and a distraction. That which does not kill us, makes us stronger. Just don't give it a standing ovation at the end.

[GirlfriendFromCanada]

Posted: 12/15/03 at 4:23pm

I don't think I could have stopped myself from giving it a standing ovation if I wanted to! I'm not one to give them when they are not really deserved, but Raúl Esparza walked out for his curtain call and the next thing I knew I was on my feet. I swear it was practically involuntary!

[Phantom2]

Posted: 12/15/03 at 4:26pm

Raul was equally amazing as Jonathan Larson in "tick, tick...BOOM!"

[Belter]

Posted: 12/15/03 at 10:06pm

Saw it in late November. LOVED IT.

What was interesting to my friend and I is that it is almost the same story as BOY FROM OZ, that is, the life story of an outrageous performer who inspired a lot of other people and died too young from AIDS, and we saw them the same weekend. . . . but TABOO was so much better!

And we were on our feet the instant the CHORUS came out for bows. Every person in that cast gives everything they've got: and it's powerful in a way that amazes.

I'm going again, and I'm taking three friends.