Please welcome to the stage, LIVE for the first time ever…Betty Boop! That sassy-sweet champion of empowerment, that spit-curled icon of joy, that songstress of strength comes alive in BOOP!, the new musical-comedy extravaganza that’s fun for the whole family.
The new musical is directed by Tony winner Jerry Mitchell, with music by multiple-time Grammy winner David Foster, lyrics by Tony-nominated lyricist Susan Birkenhead, and a book by Tony winner Bob Martin.
In BOOP!, Betty’s dream of an ordinary day off from the super-celebrity in her black-and-white world leads to an extraordinary adventure of color, music, and love in New York City—one that reminds her and the world, “You are capable of amazing things.” Boop-oop-a-doop!
Betty Boop, the iconic animated character created by Max Fleischer in the 1930s, remains a symbol of femininity, independence, and the Golden Age of animation. Known for her distinctive high-pitched voice, flapper-inspired style, and playful demeanor, Betty Boop was one of the first animated characters to appeal to adult audiences with her bold personality and risqué humor.
Despite facing censorship during the enforcement of the Hays Code, which curtailed her overtly provocative persona, Betty evolved into a wholesome yet still captivating figure. Her legacy endures as a cultural icon, representing both the progressive spirit of the Jazz Age and the resilience of creative expression in the face of societal restrictions. Today, Betty Boop continues to inspire artists, feminists, and pop culture enthusiasts, serving as a reminder of animation’s ability to break boundaries and reflect evolving societal attitudes.
Before Broadway the musical premiered at the CIBC Theatre in Chicago starring Jasmine Amy Rogers in the title role. Rogers returns to make her Broadway debut as the iconic character.
Follow the adventure of this cherished character onstage in Boop!
But even if Boop! delivers a low-key #DeepMessage, it’s mainly just a rollicking good time that earns the confetti cannon that goes off in the show’s final moments. Director-choreographer Jerry Mitchell’s exorbitantly exuberant production numbers fuse old-school tap excess with a bit of hip-hop fluidity. Finn Ross’s projections design playfully incorporate glimpses of the original Boop animation throughout David Rockwell’s set. And for its sense of childlike wonder and whimsy, Gregg Barnes’s show-stopping costume designs for the second-act opener, in which half-black-and-white, half-color outfits allow the ensemble to swap between ToonTown and the real world from beat to beat, ought to melt the hearts of even the steeliest theater critics.
Yes, it’s kid-friendly. Yes, it’s visually slick. But it’s also toothless. A show about a boundary-pushing cartoon icon shouldn’t feel this safe or generic. Betty Boop may be ready for her close-up, but this isn’t the vehicle she deserves. You are better off watching the original animated shorts on YouTube.
| 2025 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
| 2026 | US Tour |
US Tour |
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Book of a Musical | Bob Martin |
| 2025 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Choreography | Jerry Mitchell |
| 2025 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Costume Design of a Mus | Gregg Barnes |
| 2025 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Direction of a Musical | Jerry Mitchell |
| 2025 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical | Jasmine Amy Rogers |
| 2025 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Lighting Design of a Musical | Philip S. Rosenberg |
| 2025 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Music | David Foster |
| 2025 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Orchestrations | Doug Besterman |
| 2025 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Scenic Design of a Musi | Finn Ross |
| 2025 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Scenic Design of a Musi | David Rockwell |
| 2025 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Wig and Hair Design | Sabana Majeed |
| 2025 | Drama League Awards | DISTINGUISHED PERFORMANCE | Jasmine Amy Rogers |
| 2025 | Drama League Awards | OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL | Jerry Mitchell |
| 2025 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway) | Bob Martin |
| 2025 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Choreography | Jerry Mitchell |
| 2025 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Costume Design | Gregg Barnes |
| 2025 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Direction of a Musical | Jerry Mitchell |
| 2025 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical | Jasmine Amy Rogers |
| 2025 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Broadway Musical | Boop! The Musical |
| 2025 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway) | Susan Birkenhead |
| 2025 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway) | David Foster |
| 2025 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Video/Projections | Finn Ross |
| 2025 | Tony Awards | Best Choreography | Jerry Mitchell |
| 2025 | Tony Awards | Best Costume Design of a Musical | Gregg Barnes |
| 2025 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical | Jasmine Amy Rogers |
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