Variety reports that Dendy will choreograph the new musical, which is being imported from London by producer — and former talk-show host — Rosie O'Donnell. As previously announced on Playbill On-Line, Charles Busch is supplying an entirely new book for the musical, which concerns the life of George Alan O'Dowd, who is better known as pop star Boy George. A recent reading of the musical was held in New York City, helmed by its London director Christopher Renshaw. About the reading, O'Donnell told the industry paper, "It went perfectly." O'Donnell and company are aiming for a summer 2003 opening on Broadway; a workshop in the spring will precede the Main Stem debut. The musical Taboo mixes fact with fiction as it tells a love story against a backdrop of the gallery of characters who helped make the 1980's London club scene the most exciting in the world. Among these were Steve Strange, Leigh Bowery, Marilyn and Philip Sallon and Boy George himself. The show at London's The Venue — a converted church hall off Leicester Square — is directed by Renshaw.

Since 1983 Mark Dendy has been the artistic director of Mark Dendy Dance and Theatre. He was also the author, choreographer and performer of 1998's downtown hit, Dream Analysis. He has created ballets for more than 20 companies worldwide and penned and starred in the one-man show Busride to Glory. Dendy's awards include four NEA Fellowships, the Rockefeller Foundation, the Doris Duke Award and the 1997 New York Dance and Performance Award (Bessie) for Sustained Achievement. Taboo will mark his Broadway debut.