A star is born in the wonderful Boop! The Musical
Boop! The Musical
THEATRE REVIEW
By Rudy S.
Headliner Chicago
THEATRE REVIEW
By Rudy S.
Headliner Chicago
Boop! The Musical is one of the best theatre experiences I've had in a long time. I'll be honest, I didn't grow up a Betty Boop fan. I remember my aunts talking about loving these cartoons as children, and I know I've seen them on one of their VHS or DVDs at some point. But over the past few generations, there's been no new cartoons and Betty's image has mainly lived through t-shirts and Halloween costumes.
When I heard that a Broadway-bound musical about Betty Boop was coming to Chicago, I was definitely intrigued. The show's director, Jerry Mitchell is no stranger to our city, often talking about how his first theater going experience was here in Chicago. Mitchell has gone on to debut several Pre-Broadway shows in our city including On Your Feet, Kinky Boots and Pretty Woman: The Musical.
When I heard that a Broadway-bound musical about Betty Boop was coming to Chicago, I was definitely intrigued. The show's director, Jerry Mitchell is no stranger to our city, often talking about how his first theater going experience was here in Chicago. Mitchell has gone on to debut several Pre-Broadway shows in our city including On Your Feet, Kinky Boots and Pretty Woman: The Musical.
Photo courtesy of Broadway in Chicago
In Boop! The Musical, Betty Boop is trying to figure out who she is outside of the characters she plays and finds herself transported into modern day New York, thanks to a time machine created by her Grampy. The show takes us on a seamless journey between the two worlds with the use of black and white costumes and sets then catapulting us into a world of endless color.
From the very first scene, I was hooked! I've never seen anything like this on stage before.
The sets, the choreography, the visuals, the performances are all stellar and put a smile on my face for the entire show. I didn't know I could feel this strongly about Betty Boop, but I hope this show gives her new found appreciation. We all have to thank the show's star Jasmine Amy Rogers who embodies everything that Betty Boop is and always will be.
The show works because Betty Boop shows the same strength, resilience and confidence even in modern day situations.
From the very first scene, I was hooked! I've never seen anything like this on stage before.
The sets, the choreography, the visuals, the performances are all stellar and put a smile on my face for the entire show. I didn't know I could feel this strongly about Betty Boop, but I hope this show gives her new found appreciation. We all have to thank the show's star Jasmine Amy Rogers who embodies everything that Betty Boop is and always will be.
The show works because Betty Boop shows the same strength, resilience and confidence even in modern day situations.
photo courtesy of Broadway in Chicago
Shout-out to the entire cast including Tony Award®-winner Faith Prince as Valentina, Ainsley Melham who portrays Betty's modern day love interest, Erich Bergen as the villain of show and Angelica Hale who plays a young Betty Boop superfan who befriends the icon in the modern world. Each of their performances are incredible and challenge Betty Boop in a new way in the modern world.
Can you believe it's been almost 100 years since the character was first introduced? My hope is that this show breathes new life into this character, so that fans will continue to cherish her strength for generations to come. A show like this could have divided fans, but it's done an exceptional job of bringing everyone together with jokes, scenarios and storylines that will appeal to Betty's longtime fans and to those who may not be as familiar. My only recommendation for audience members is to make sure you proudly wear your red dress, jacket, shirt, pants or shoes because everyone is showing up in Betty's signature color to see the show. I loved everything about this show and hope it finds it's way to Broadway soon and can't wait to see how big this show will become. Boop! The Musical is the theater version of what Barbie did for audiences this summer, which is to give a pop culture icon a reason to continue her reign.
Can you believe it's been almost 100 years since the character was first introduced? My hope is that this show breathes new life into this character, so that fans will continue to cherish her strength for generations to come. A show like this could have divided fans, but it's done an exceptional job of bringing everyone together with jokes, scenarios and storylines that will appeal to Betty's longtime fans and to those who may not be as familiar. My only recommendation for audience members is to make sure you proudly wear your red dress, jacket, shirt, pants or shoes because everyone is showing up in Betty's signature color to see the show. I loved everything about this show and hope it finds it's way to Broadway soon and can't wait to see how big this show will become. Boop! The Musical is the theater version of what Barbie did for audiences this summer, which is to give a pop culture icon a reason to continue her reign.
4 stars (out of four)
Boop! The Musical
Now Playing through December 24
CIBC Theatre
Broadway in Chicago
18 West Monroe
Chicago, Illinois
www.broadwayinchicago.com
Boop! The Musical
Now Playing through December 24
CIBC Theatre
Broadway in Chicago
18 West Monroe
Chicago, Illinois
www.broadwayinchicago.com