I really enjoyed it!
I don't get why this musical has been so bashed by reviewers. I was totally entertained, totally engaged and thought the performers were wonderful. And I would totally see it again. (I kept expecting Rosie O'Donnell to pop out and show us her pussy, but ah well!). Strong voices, and GREAT costumes. Visually I felt the modest, somewhat low-budget feel of the sets was appropriate, and I loved the segment where the dance floor comes out with all the 80s kids doing their moves, and George in the lighted box. Also where he "gives birth" to Nicola, with her wriggling out in a sequined body stocking (though more could have been made of that particular sequence from a production standpoint.) The actors playing Philip and Big Sue and of course Euan Morton as George all sang wonderfully. I liked the songs too, especially in the first act and my favorite of all was "Love is a Question Mark", with the George and Marcus characters singing about each other while George-as-Leigh and Nicola sing about each other in a separate set alongside them. In general Broadway musicals are not my thing, but I felt the show was done well and if nothing else it's admirable and remarkable that the legend of Leigh Bowery is being shown to middle American tourists, even in this microcosm form. It was flawed, but I'd say the strengths definitely outweigh the weaknesses. And the overall message is a positive: don't be afraid to be a freak, celebrate your individuality for the world to see.
My main criticism is George˜s performance onstage. George was entertaining enough, but mostly because of the dialogue and gowns, not because of anything special that he brings to the role. It's true his singing voice is basically shot but that's not what bothered me. Rather it was the sense of a shrugged-off consideration for the "acting" part of the art. Just think, if he really threw down and gave a fierce performance as Leigh, he could win a Tony. Which could lead to an Emmy or an Oscar. The right actor could really turn the role of Leigh Bowery into a masterpiece. It's a dream role for an actor actually. In other words it seems to me this musical is a huge opportunity for George to usher in a whole new undiscovered frontier of his career, to reach for something new and he's not taking advantage of it. Of course maybe he doesn't want to be a great thespian or movie/television star. But I would think if he's gone through all the effort to bring this project to life in the first place (here and in London), he would go the full mile and really give his performance its due as well. Perhaps he lacks the talent to be a true actor, but I find that hard to believe. I say this with complete love since I adore George's work and am totally his fan. He was and is a tremendous inspiration. The fact that he wrote all the songs for this musical is an enormous accomplishment in itself, and he deserves a lot of credit.
Also from a plot standpoint I think the Leigh Bowery subplot should've been woven in more to the main story of Boy George.
But all in all I think Taboo is good and I'd recommend it.