Taboo Delays Previews to Oct. 24; Tickets on Sale Sept. 3

By Andrew Gans
August 7, 2003

The new Boy George musical Taboo — produced by Rosie O'Donnell and Adam Kenwright — will now begin previews Oct. 24.

Originally scheduled to start performances Oct. 21, the date change was recently made to accommodate a delay in the start of rehearsals. A spokesperson for the production also confirmed that tickets for the eagerly awaited musical will now go on sale Sept. 3 through Telecharge. The box office at the Plymouth Theatre will begin selling tickets to the musical Sept. 22. Taboo officially opens Nov. 13.

To date, the cast of Taboo includes George O'Dowd (Leigh Bowery), Euan Morton (George O'Dowd), Raul Esparza (Philip Sallon), Sarah Uriarte Berry (Nicola), Cary Shields (Marcus) and Liz McCartney (Big Sue). The role of Marilyn — described in a recent casting notice as "male, 20's, any ethnicity; a masculine drug addict and drag queen with excellent comic chops and strong pop/rock singing voice; a physically beautiful boy" — has not yet been cast.

The Taboo ensemble comprises Jennifer Cody, Dioni Michelle Collins, Lisa Gajda, Bob Gaynor, Curtis Holbrook, Lori Holmes, Jennifer Mrozik, Nathan Peck, Alexander Quiroga, Asa Somers, Denise Summerford, Jody Reynard and Gregory Treco.

Christopher Renshaw directs the musical, which began life at London’s Venue in January 2002. That production played its final performance April 26. Mark Dendy will choreograph the Broadway mounting, and the remainder of the creative team comprises John McDaniel (musical supervision), Tim Goodchild (scenic design), Mike Nicholls and Bobby Pearce (costume design), Natasha Katz (lighting design), Jonathan Deans (sound design) and make-up and hair design (Christine Bateman). Charles Busch has written a new book for the Broadway production based on material by Mark Davies.

Set in London in the early eighties, Taboo focuses on two young men: anarchic performance artist-designer Leigh Bowery and a young, rough-edged boy who becomes a surprising crossover star, Boy George. The stories of Bowery and George are told against the background of the London club Taboo.

The Plymouth Theatre is located at 236 West 45th Street. Tickets, priced between $80 and $100, will be available through Telecharge, (212) 239-6200. For more information about the musical, visit www.tabooonbroadway.com.