REVIEW: ‘BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical’ is the definition of delightful
Photo: BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical is exuberant fun. Photo courtesy of Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman / Provided by BBB with permission.
NEW YORK — On Broadway right now, at least in the musical department, one can find the intoxicating tragedy of Sunset Blvd. or the whimsical romance of Maybe Happy Ending. The infectious beats of Buena Vista Social Club are present and accounted for, and the soaring heights of Redwood and its exploration of self-discovery are on display.
But few shows can match the delightfulness of BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical.
This comedy is a winner thanks to its clever songs, with music by David Foster and lyrics by Susan Birkenhead; its fast-paced, hilarious book by the always-dependable Bob Martin; and the skilled staging of director Jerry Mitchell. However, the real reason the show works as well as it does is Jasmine Amy Rogers, who plays Betty Boop and is a definite candidate for a Tony Award nomination. The actor is enthusiastic, funny, joyous and unique as she imbues the title character with style and sentiment. It’s a bravura performance that anchors the musical.
The supporting cast is equally impressive, with Ainsley Melham as Dwayne, Betty’s love interest; Erich Bergen as Raymond, the political villain of the piece; Stephen DeRosa as Grampy, a character not unlike Dr. Emmett Brown from Back to the Future; Anastacia McCleskey as Carol, a person who is skilled in the art of politics; and Angelica Hale as Trisha, a girl who loves Betty Boop culture and is amazed when the real Betty comes to life.
Then there’s Faith Prince. The chance to see this theater legend back on stage is a real treat. Here she brings the funny to portray Valentina, and it’s a bizarre, hilarious, perfectly fitting role for the skilled actor. Prince is a Broadway mainstay, someone who has built one of the most impressive careers in theater, and it’s a coup that the BOOP! team signed her up for this show. She elevates all material thrown her way.
The story of BOOP! is interesting and will silence doubters who might wonder how a black-and-white cartoon character, originally crated by Max Fleischer, could make the jump to a Broadway stage. Essentially Betty time travels from yesteryear to the colorful modern day, and she must contend with a new technological world where she’s a beloved cultural figure. Along the way, Betty encounters all that this technicolor world has to offer, and she brings these new surroundings to life with big tap numbers (with Mitchell pulling double duty as the choreographer) and Broadway-sized theatrical feats that utilize expert staging, lighting and scenic design.
The show is definitely family friendly, and given that musicals for the kiddos are rare in Midtown Manhattan at the moment, perhaps that’s how BOOP! stands apart in a crowded pack of new theatrical offerings. The songs, dance numbers, glitz and glamor make this a most enjoyable evening of theater that can be accessed by all age groups.
No doubt when audiences leave the Broadhusrt Theatre on 44th Street, the lasting memory of these two-plus hours will be Rogers’ performance as Betty. There is never a missed beat, a missed dance step or a missed character attribute. She embodies this cartoon character, but never feels like a two-dimensional caricature. She is dedicated to giving humanity and joy and delightfulness to this beloved woman, and the actor strikes the right balance for feeding the nostalgia machine and breaking new ground for the adaptation.
It might be corny to say, but doesn’t the world need BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical right now?
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical, directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, features music by David Foster, lyrics by Susan Birkenhead and a book by Bob Martin. Starring Jasmine Amy Rogers, Faith Prince, Ainsley Melham, Erich Bergen, Stephen DeRosa, Anastacia McCleskey and Angelica Hale. Running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes with one 15-minute intermission. Currently running at the Broadhurst Theatre on 44th Street in Midtown Manhattan. Click here for more information and tickets.
