A Big, Bold “BOOP! The Musical” Comes to Life as Broadway Magic

(Center) Jasmine Amy Rogers (Betty Boop), Ainsley Melham (Dwayne), (Far left) Erich Bergen (Raymond Demarest), Anastacia McCleskey (Carol Evans), Angelica Hale (Trisha), (Far right) Phillip Huber (Pudgy), Faith Prince (Valentina), Stephen DeRosa (Grampy). Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

If you’re looking for a night at the theatre that delivers pure joy, eye-popping visuals, and knockout performances, BOOP! The Musical—now lighting up Broadway at the Broadhurst Theatre—is your ticket. This fresh, fizzy, and fantastically fun new production breathes dazzling life into one of pop culture’s most iconic characters: Betty Boop.

Jasmine Amy Rogers (Betty Boop) and Ensemble
Jasmine Amy Rogers (Betty Boop) and EnsemblePhoto Credit: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

Directed with style and sparkle by Tony winner Jerry Mitchell, BOOP! features a book by Bob Martin, music by Grammy-winning composer David Foster, and lyrics by Tony nominee Susan Birkenhead—a powerhouse team whose combined talent makes the show both heartfelt and irresistibly entertaining.

The musical tells the story of Betty Boop as you’ve never seen her before. The show starts out in black and white but, tired of her grayscale grind starring in old-time movies, Betty dreams of taking a break as an ordinary girl—only to find herself catapulted by a time-traveling machine into present-day New York City. The moment she enters the real world, the stage explodes into color—literally—with a showstopping number celebrating the magic of color itself.

Jasmine Amy Rogers (Betty Boop), Ainsley Melham (Dwayne), and EnsemblePhoto Credit: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

With big ensemble dance numbers, clever songs, and an undercurrent of soulfulness, BOOP! is the definition of a feel-good musical. It’s contemporary and fresh while honoring Betty’s retro roots, blending nostalgia with big Broadway energy. The result? A show that’s equal parts sparkle and substance.

At the center of it all is Jasmine Amy Rogers, who delivers a star-making performance as Betty Boop. She’s funny, vulnerable, radiant, and fierce—balancing Betty’s flirtatious charm with real emotional depth. Her voice dazzles, her timing is impeccable, and her stage presence is magnetic.  Rogers manages to be both utterly cartoonish and deeply human at the same time. It’s like watching Lucille Ball and Beyoncé share a body. She brings real vulnerability to a character best known for swooning and booping.

(l-r) Stephen DeRosa (Grampy), Jasmine Amy Rogers (Betty Boop), Phillip Huber (Pudgy)
Stephen DeRosa (Grampy), Jasmine Amy Rogers (Betty Boop), and Phillip Huber (Pudgy)Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

The supporting cast is no less stellar. Stephen DeRosa is delightful as Grampy, Betty’s quirky inventor grandfather whose time machine sets the story in motion. Ainsley Melham is a smooth and soulful standout as Dwayne, a trumpet-playing love interest who helps Betty navigate life in the city. Faith Prince brings seasoned wit and warmth to the role of Grampy’s old flame, Valentina, while Erich Bergen exudes charm and swarm as a politician, with his assistant, Carol Evans, portrayed by Anastacia McCleskey. Seventeen-year-old Angelica Hale, who became the youngest runner-up on “America’s Got Talent,” lends her strong voice to the part of young Trisha who befriends Betty in the modern world. And we can’t forget Pudgy the pooch, maneuvered in darling doggie by world renowned marionette artist, Phillip Huber.

(l-r) Jasmine Amy Rogers (Betty Boop) and Angelica Hale (Trisha)
Jasmine Amy Rogers (Betty Boop) and Angelica Hale (Trisha)Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

Though comparisons to Barbie are natural—another iconic female figure exploring the real world—BOOP! offers even more heart and originality, especially in the modern world, with its thoughtful look at fame, friendship, and staying true to yourself. And of course, there’s nothing like the excitement of it being live and in-person, bursting with singing, dancing, tons of pizazz and confetti shot from a cannon.

Anastacia McCleskey (Carol Evans) and Erich Bergen (Raymond Demarest)Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

Whether you’ve adored Betty Boop since the cartoons or you’re meeting her for the first time, this musical is a joyous celebration of individuality, reinvention, and old-school glamour with a modern twist. With toe-tapping numbers, amazing costumes, and a heroine you’ll root for every step of the way, BOOP! The Musical is Broadway’s most charming surprise of the season.

Stephen DeRosa (Grampy) and Faith Prince (Valentina)Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

So, if you’re planning a trip to New York City, be sure to put BOOP! The Musical on your itinerary. And when it comes to getting tickets, let The Broadway Collection be your go-to guide.

Courtesy of BOOP!

Designed especially for visitors, The Broadway Collection highlights top Broadway and Off-Broadway shows—plus cultural favorites like The Metropolitan Opera and New York City Ballet. You can browse, compare, and book securely, all through official sources with no hidden fees.

As an obsessed theater fan, I always stay near Times Square and walk to a different show every night. But even if you mix in other NYC attractions, no visit is complete without the magic of live theater. Let The Broadway Collection lead you to BOOP!—as well as offering a grand selection of many more phenomenal performances on The Great White Way.

Courtesy of BOOP!

Author

  • Marilyn Anderson

    Marilyn Anderson is an award-winning author, film and television writer. She wrote for Murphy Brown, FAME, Friday the 13th - the Series, and Carol & Company, starring Carol Burnett. Marilyn wrote and produced the family feature film, How to Beat a Bully. She is the author of How to Live Like a MILLIONAIRE When You're a Million Short.

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About Marilyn Anderson 41 Articles
Marilyn Anderson is an award-winning author, film and television writer. She wrote for Murphy Brown, FAME, Friday the 13th - the Series, and Carol & Company, starring Carol Burnett. Marilyn wrote and produced the family feature film, How to Beat a Bully. She is the author of How to Live Like a MILLIONAIRE When You're a Million Short.

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