Taboo (musical)
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| Music | Boy George Kevan Frost |
| Lyrics | Boy George |
| Book | Mark Davies Charles Busch |
| Productions | 2002 West End 2003 Broadway 2003 UK Tour |
Taboo is a stage musical with a book by Mark Davies (extensively rewritten for the Broadway production by Charles Busch), lyrics by Boy George, and music by George and Kevan Frost.
Set in an abandoned London warehouse, the partly imagined story of a group of club 'names' set in the location of what was the city's most fashionable nightclub, the now-legendary 'Taboo' (1985-87) of the title, which was the creation of Leigh Bowery. Boy George is featured as one of the club's regulars, but in reality, George rarely attended. The show also focuses on George's life prior to and after achieving fame.
The show premiered in London's West End at the newly opened Venue Theatre on January 29, 2002. Comedian/talk show host Rosie O'Donnell was so enamoured with it that she decided to finance a Broadway production. After 16 previews, it opened on November 13, 2003 at the Plymouth Theatre where, hampered by mostly scathing reviews,[1] it closed after 100 performances. The cast, directed by Christopher Renshaw, included Boy George (credited under his real name, George O'Dowd), Euan Morton, Dianne Pilkington, Raúl Esparza, Sarah Uriarte Berry, and Jeffrey Carlson. O'Donnell reportedly lost her entire $10 million investment in the project[2]. O'Donnell said in an interview about Leigh Bowery that she will take Taboo back to Broadway in the future.
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[edit] Plot
The show is based partly on the New Romantic scene of the 1980s. At its core is the life and career of colourful popstar Boy George, who rose to global prominence in the early 1980s with his band Culture Club and his contemporaries, including the performance artist and club promoter Leigh Bowery, the pop singer Marilyn, 'Blitz' nightclub host Steve Strange (later of the electro-pop group Visage), and Philip Salon, Punk groupie and Mud Club promoter. Although George was intimate with the central figures, artistic license around relationships and timeframes was taken for continuity; for example, Bowery never attended the 'Blitz' nightclub as he was living in Australia at the time.
[edit] Characters, Original London Production & UK tour
- Billy - the protagonist, Billy is an aspiring photographer. Frustrated with suburban life in Bromley, he runs to London ('Safe in the city') to make his fortune. There he meets Philip Sallon, who introduces him to Kim and George. He soon falls in love with Kim, and attaches himself to George's rising star. Not based on any one real life person. Played by Luke Evans in the original London production.
- Kim - an aspiring punk fashion designer and George's squat-mate. Kim is fiery but insecure, rarely emerging from behind her makeup. She ran away from home at 15, and her mother was too drunk to come looking for her. Not based on any one real life person. Played by Dianne Pilkington in the Original London Cast
- George - Artist, poet, singer/songwriter George O'Dowd is shown before and during his initial success, as a supporting role. He takes an immediate shine to Billy. Thrives on attention and shocking others, never appears dressed conventionally. Originally played by Euan Morton, who Boy George said was 'more Boy George than I am'.
- Leigh Bowery - flamboyant Australian designer and performance artist. He delights in antagonising Kim, and is constantly surrounded by a gaggle of admirers/slaves. Absorbs Billy into his flock.
- Philip Sallon - the second person Billy meets in London, who takes him to Kim and George's squat. Opens the show. Character based on a real person.
- Josie James - Billy's mother, who later becomes Kim's best friend and business partner. Not based on any one real life person. Supposedly a part written specially for the performer Lyn Paul to play.
- Marilyn - another of the Blitz Kids, Marilyn is first George's rival, then best friend.
- Janey - a reporter for the Sun newspaper, who has a connection to George.
- Steve Strange - doorman at the 'Blitz' club, and singer with the group Visage who achieved success with 'Fade to Grey'. Good-natured rival of George.
- Derek - Billy's father. Violent, drunk and homophobic, he beats up Philip for verbally teasing him. Not based on any one real life person.
- Petal - scary cross-dressing drug pusher. Not a convincing woman, just a violent man in a miniskirt. In previews Petal killed Billy near the end of the show. Based on a very real person.
- Big Sue - Leigh's main assistant and confidante. Character based on Sue Tilley.[3]
- Gary/Guru Dazzle - the bouncer at the 'Blitz' club, who becomes a Krishna devotee.
[edit] Songs - Original London Production & UK tour
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Encore:
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[edit] Songs - Broadway version
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[edit] Awards and nominations
- Tony Award for Best Original Score (nominee)
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (Morton, nominee)
- Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Esparza, nominee)
- Tony Award for Best Costume Design (nominee)
- Theatre World Award (Morton, winner)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Morton, nominee)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (Esparza, winner; Carlson, nominee)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics (nominee)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music (nominee)
- 2003 Olivier Award for Best Supporting Performance in a Musical (Paul Baker (actor), winner)
[edit] References
- ^ Zoglin, Richard (November 18, 2003). "Rosie’s Bum Rap: In Defense of Taboo". Time Magazine. http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,545479,00.html. Retrieved 2008-05-23.
- ^ "Taboo closing". www. cnn. com. Archived from the original on 2007-12-23. http://web.archive.org/web/20071223103358/http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/Music/01/14/theater.tabooclosing.ap/. Retrieved 2008-05-23.
- ^ Dowling, Tim (June 30, 2005). "The Ballad of Big Sue". guardian (London). http://arts.guardian.co.uk/features/story/0,,1517776,00.html. Retrieved 2008-05-23.
[edit] External links
- Official Site
- Internet Broadway Database listing
- Review by Lyn Gardner, The Guardian, May 23, 2002.
- Raul Esparza - Downstage Center interview at American Theatre Wing.org, April 2005
