Boop!

Jasmine Amy Rogers as Betty Boop. (Photo: Matthew Murphy-Evan Zimmerman)

By Fern Siegel (posted April 11, 2023)

Betty Boop was a Jazz Age creation, known for her sexy body, high-pitched voice and flirty charm. Inspired, in part, by two 1920s jazz singers, Helen Kane and Baby Esther, she made her debut in 1930 in the Fleischer Studios’ Talkartoons.

And such is her appeal, she's remained a public figure for almost 100 years.

So it’s only fitting that the cartoon with the oversized head, known for her signature “boop-oop-a-doop,” has hit Broadway. And Boop! is a splashy spectacle. The production values, cast, choreography, sets and costumes are eye-popping! Cole Porter’s “it’s delightful, it’s delectable, it’s delirious” lyrics apply to Boop!, the musical now at the Broadhurst Theater. 

Jasmine Amy Rogers, making a sensational Broadway debut, plays Betty as a confident, bighearted girl longing to experience real life — the world outside a black-and-white Fleischer movie set. Thanks to Grampy's (Stephen DeRosa) time machine, she gets her wish, landing in a colorful New York City, 2023.

Her existence, lived solely on screen, has men forever chasing her. Betty has the adoration of her director (Aubie Merrylees), and the affection of Grampy and Pudgy, her dog, but she longs for true love. And that can only be found in a color-filled world.

Rogers in her “Something to Shout About” number. (Photo: Matthew Murphy-Evan Zimmerman)

Thanks to a zippy, melodic score by David Foster​ and Susan Birkenhead, and book by Bob Martin, who created The Drowsy Chaperone, Betty's wish comes true. The sassy musical explores a duality: Super fans who worship fictional characters — and a fictional character who longs to be real. Plus, it offers a plug for girl power and one of the best salutes to the glories of jazz.

The stirring "I Speak Jazz" is sung by trumpeter Dwayne (a smooth Ainsley Melham), a sensitive man smitten by Betty and her guide to Manhattan's wonders. She meets him and his sister Trisha (Angelica Hale, a small 17-year-old with a giant set of pipes) at ComicCon. It’s fitting.

Such is Betty's irresistible sweetness and popularity, the local press is soon following her. She even gets involved in a mayoral election. That over-the-top premise just adds to the fun, aided by razzle-dazzle dance numbers and one liners.

There’s a small side plot with Grampy and Valentina, (Faith Prince), as well as Betty’s ability to inspire those around her, namely Trisha, who dreams of an art career. But the real joy is the ride, courtesy of director-choreographer Jerry Mitchell, that supplies high-energy entertainment and showcases Rodgers’ talents.

Finn Ross’ projections neatly incorporate original “Betty Boop” animation, augmented by David Rockwell’s evocative sets, Gregg Barnes’ artistic costumes, standouts in black-and-white, and Philip S. Rosenberg’s mood lighting.

Boop! isn’t meant to be a deep musical, but a sweet homage to a famed cartoon icon. Even if you don’t know her, it’s worth checking out the Fleischer shorts on YouTube. Betty Boop was a respite from Depression-era blues. And Boop! performs the same service now.