Boop

[skynyc]

A new, completely original charmer, with an old-fashioned feel, directed by Jerry Mitchell whose mantra about theater is "Let's Have Fun!". 

After a long day of shooting her black and white shorts, Betty is exhausted and wants a vacation. She uses one of Grampy's wacky inventions to come to the "real world" and ends up in full color at New York ComiCon in 2025. Hijinks ensue. 

Book by Bob Martin who wrote the books of Drowsy Chaperone, Elf and The Prom doesn't disappoint. It's clever and funny and accessible. In jokes for the true-Boop fans, and contemporary moments. Score is David Foster's first, although he's written songs for Whitney, Celine, Buble, and Groban that you all know. And this score is actually hummable as you exit. 

Biggest name in the cast is Faith Prince making a fun return as Grampy's long lost love. Jasmine Amy Rogers is making her Broadway debut and is a true triple threat. Her beau, Dwayne is Ainsley Melham, who I would say is Australia's Christian Borle.

I saw this in Chicago a year ago, and loved it. Felt it needed some tweaks, which mostly have happened. First Preview last night and it's already on fire. 

A silly, feel-good entertainment for the whole family with lots of color (and black and white). Costumes by Gregg Barnes are extraordinary. And sets and projections are delightful in both Max Fleisher's World and NY 2025, which a charming Moon-crossover. 

 

 

[Marc in Calif]

14 hours ago, skynyc said:

Her beau, Dwayne, is Ainsley Melham, who I would say is Australia's Christian Borle.

Edited March 13 by Marc in Calif

[ShortCutie7]

Saw this tonight… I loved everything about it!  The entire show was pure joy- similar in tone to “Hairspray”.  Phenomenal cast (IMO Melham is hotter and a stronger singer than Borle, and I think Rogers will at least be nominated for a Tony even with this season’s stiff competition).  Foster wrote a fantastic score that I hope will be awarded, as well!

[foxy]

Silly fun show. Jasmine Amy Rogers is the perfect Betty Boop. 

[Cooper]

I agree with everything that’s been previously posted about BOOP!  It’s fun, entertaining, and has a very likable/talented cast. Yes, the special effects of the time machine and the changing from black/white to color are very effective. Plus, Betty Boop’s  dog Pudgy is almost life like. Nice job by the puppeteer. 

Just wanted to add that unlike other shows, it has a Thursday 2pm matinee. I like that. The matinee I saw had a full house and discount tickets are easy to get at TKTS or TDF. However, the lines at TKTS in Times Square have been very long. You’ll find no lines at the Lincoln Center box office. 

[MaybeMaybeNot]

This is the first season in a while I really wish I could make it to NYC. Maybe Happy Endings, Death Becomes Her, and Boop all sounds great. I already know Old Friends is fantastic (saw it in LA). Plus, Smash got a good review in the Times. Hopefully Broadway is regaining its footing.

[Cooper]

Took a friend to see “Boop”. For me, it was my 2nd time. Had excellent seats which made a big difference. Originally, they had a Thursday matinee but now it’s back to Wednesday. 

If the rumors are true that it’s closing the end of June and you enjoy musical comedies, I’d suggest seeing it. You’ll hear some amazing voices as each lead actor gets a solo number. The story is fun & mesmerizing. 

[d.anders]

Of all the shows among this season, this one looked the most interesting to me. I have no idea who Betty Boop is, but once I started seeing snippets from the show, plus the reviews here, I kept thinking I wanted to see this.

There are plenty of seats available, I've been looking since the Tony's, but all the good ones are $200+. Then I read about the closing notice, so I checked again. On one date, I saw there was one seat open in the 8th row, center orchestra. I put the cursor over the seat, and it said $124. I was sure it was a mistake. Went through the motions to buy, and sure enough I got a fabulous seat for $124, including fees. Very excited.

Have to assume because it was one seat in the middle of the row, it might not sell, so they lowered the price? I don't know, just glad it happened.

[MaybeMaybeNot]

On 6/26/2025 at 11:13 AM, d.anders said:

Of all the shows among this season, this one looked the most interesting to me. I have no idea who Betty Boop is, but once I started seeing snippets from the show, plus the reviews here, I kept thinking I wanted to see this.

There are plenty of seats available, I've been looking since the Tony's, but all the good ones are $200+. Then I read about the closing notice, so I checked again. On one date, I saw there was one seat open in the 8th row, center orchestra. I put the cursor over the seat, and it said $124. I was sure it was a mistake. Went through the motions to buy, and sure enough I got a fabulous seat for $124, including fees. Very excited.

Have to assume because it was one seat in the middle of the row, it might not sell, so they lowered the price? I don't know, just glad it happened.

Report back on what you thought! 

[d.anders]

I had a ball! I can't believe this amazing show is closing on July 13. I'd love to know what went wrong. I wish I could afford to see it again.

If only it could have survived the summer. This has the makings of a cult musical. It needed more time for word-of-mouth buzz. Of all the stuff I saw at the Tony's, nothing compares to this.

The audience was absolutely electric. The last time I felt that kind of energy coming from an audience was seeing the original cast of Rent. Even before the show started, the audience was loud and buzzing. I'm sure the actors heard the noise backstage. When the lights went down, the screams and applause were off the charts. You would have thought the show was done and about to do curtain calls.

I purposely knew almost nothing about this show. I was quite surprised by how creative it is. I had no idea I'd be seeing Faith Prince. What a joy she was.

I loved the music. Not a single song bored me. Not only the music, but the orchestrations and the vocal arrangements, all superior. It was really difficult to avoid getting swept away. David Foster is a master.

Jasmine Amy Rogers is amazing. Not only is she perfect for the part, she had the audience in the palm of her hand. She got several standing ovations apart from the one at the show's end. It was really something to witness. I couldn't help but feel she was channeling a young Eartha Kitt.

The ensemble performers are terrific. All the characters are played by serious talent. The dance numbers are so much fun.

This show should do very well on the road. Also, it should become a favorite for high school drama clubs. It offers so many opportunities for cast members to shine. I'm sorry to see it leave Broadway. It deserved so much more.

[MaybeMaybeNot]

It looked delightful.  Sometimes the best shows get shut out of the Tonys. Some of the Tonys performances were terrible.  I look forward to getting the cast album. I wish I could see the show. 

[d.anders]

Interesting little factoid that I did not know, the director/choreographer of Boop, Jerry Mitchell (age 65), is married to Ricky Schroeder (age 34), who plays Clarence in the show. Jerry is looking pretty good for 65, but 30 years difference in age, and working on the same project, has to make for an interesting relationship.

  

I've been watching for tickets on July 13, the closing performance, and only 4-6 seats left, at $256 each. I'm sure the show is going to be an unforgettable theater experience. I so wish I could go.

 

[ShortCutie7]

On 7/9/2025 at 2:37 PM, d.anders said:

I had a ball! I can't believe this amazing show is closing on July 13. I'd love to know what went wrong. I wish I could afford to see it again.

If only it could have survived the summer. This has the makings of a cult musical. It needed more time for word-of-mouth buzz. Of all the stuff I saw at the Tony's, nothing compares to this.

The audience was absolutely electric. The last time I felt that kind of energy coming from an audience was seeing the original cast of Rent. Even before the show started, the audience was loud and buzzing. I'm sure the actors heard the noise backstage. When the lights went down, the screams and applause were off the charts. You would have thought the show was done and about to do curtain calls.

I purposely knew almost nothing about this show. I was quite surprised by how creative it is. I had no idea I'd be seeing Faith Prince. What a joy she was.

I loved the music. Not a single song bored me. Not only the music, but the orchestrations and the vocal arrangements, all superior. It was really difficult to avoid getting swept away. David Foster is a master.

Jasmine Amy Rogers is amazing. Not only is she perfect for the part, she had the audience in the palm of her hand. She got several standing ovations apart from the one at the show's end. It was really something to witness. I couldn't help but feel she was channeling a young Eartha Kitt.

The ensemble performers are terrific. All the characters are played by serious talent. The dance numbers are so much fun.

This show should do very well on the road. Also, it should become a favorite for high school drama clubs. It offers so many opportunities for cast members to shine. I'm sorry to see it leave Broadway. It deserved so much more.

I agree with EVERY WORD of this review!  I’m devastated I won’t be able to see this again.

[skynyc]

Final performance was great. I got a ticket with Audience Reward points, and friends stood in line for standing room. I got there early to get a shirt, but the merch was completely sold out except for the Pudgy stuffed dogs. Jasmine got a minute long ovation when the spotlight hit her when the curtain rose. And huge applause for each characters entrance. The conductor really ran the pace...lots of big numbers could have had more sustained applause, and several folks were jumping to their feet after every number (Oy.) Ainsley started to break during the first slow line of Just Around the Corner...and the extended cheer got him back on track. Jasmine got a full two minute standing ovation after Something to Cheer About at the end. Her make-up was almost running. Jerry Mitchell came out at the end and gave a quick thank you to all, but didnt' call crew onto the stage. Said that Boop will "be around" hinting at tour, perhaps. So glad to have gone one more time. I think my seventh time...counting one in Chicago.