The concerts take place at 8 PM and 11 PM. The concert date marks the 10th anniversary of the musical's closing on Broadway. The event benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Taboo was originally produced on Broadway by Rosie O'Donnell. Boy George was Tony-nominated for his score to the musical. The Broadway production of Taboo had a book by Tony Award nominee Charles Busch.
Matthew Rowland and Samuel Buttery, who played Boy George and Leigh Bowery, respectively, in the 2012 London revival of Taboo, join members of the original Broadway cast. (The original Broadway production featured pop singer Boy George as Leigh Bowery and Tony nominee Euan Morton as Boy George.)
Also new for the concert is Jeremy Kushnier (Footloose, Jesus Christ Superstar), who plays Philip Sallon. (Raúl Esparza originated the role on Broadway.)
The concert reunites original Broadway stars Sarah Uriarte Berry (Nicola), Jeffrey Carlson (Marilyn), Liz McCartney (Big Sue) and Cary Shields (Marcus), as well as ensemble members Jennifer Cody, Lisa Gajda, Bob Gaynor, Curtis Holbrook, Jennifer K. Mrozik, Nathan Peck, Alexander Quiroga, Jody Reynard, Asa Somers, Denise Summerford, James Tabeek and Gregory Treco.
The concert is presented by John McDaniel and Amanda Sales. McDaniel also reprises his roles as arranger and music director with original band members Kevan Frost, Chris Jago and David Kuhn.
Taboo began performances at The Plymouth Theatre on Oct. 28, 2003 and opened on Nov. 13, 2003. The musical played 16 previews and 100 performances when it closed Feb. 8, 2004. Taboo had its world premiere at the Venue in London, produced by Kenwright and Michael Fuchs.
Taboo concerned the lives of two larger-than-life personalities involved in the eighties London club scene: the Kent-born singer Boy George, who rose to fame and international acclaim via the pop group Culture Club; and performance artist Leigh Bowery, who became known for his outlandish costumes and make-up before an early death from AIDS. Their stories were told against the background of the London club Taboo, which featured an array of self-proclaimed "freaks."
The Boy George score includes "Freak/Ode to Attention Seekers," "Stranger in This World," "Safe in the City," "Dress to Kill," "Genocide Peroxide," "I'll Have You All," "Sexual Confusion," "Pretty Lies," "Guttersnipe," "Love Is a Question Mark," "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me," "Church of the Poison Mind/Karma Chameleon," "Everything Taboo," "Talk Amongst Yourselves," "The Fame Game," "I See Through You," "Ich Bin Kunst," "Petrified," "Out of Fashion," "Il Adore" and "Come On In From the Outside."
