‘Boop! The Musical’ reviews applaud ‘sensational’ Jasmine Amy Rogers in a ‘colorful,’ ‘delightful’ new show
At 95 years of age, an incredibly spry Betty Boop has made her Broadway debut. The iconic cartoon character introduced in 1930 has made the leap from page to stage featuring newcomer Jasmine Amy Rogers in the title role. Boop! The Musical bowed at the Broadhurst Theatre on April 6.
Boop! features a book by Tony winner Bob Martin, direction and choreography by two-time winner and Isabelle Stevenson Award recipient Jerry Mitchell, music and lyrics by David Foster and Tony nominee Susan Birkenhead, and an ensemble of 25, including Tony winner Faith Prince. In the musical, Boop’s grandfather transports the iconic cartoon from her monochromatic world to contemporary New York City, where she must navigate her new connections in the real world and those in the cartoon universe, which is lost without her.
Critics weighed in on Boop’s transformation into a musical theater star, and their thoughts were mostly positive. Here are some excerpts:
Adam Feldman of Time Out New York praised the musical as an “old-fashioned candy shop of a show, where tasty confections are sold in bulk.” It is full of “throwback toe-tappers and ballads” and “massive dance numbers” that shine with the “delightful creativity and coordination” of its scenic, lighting, and costume designers. Feldman praises Rogers as making a “sensational Broadway debut” and also singles out Erich Bergen as her foe, who’s delivering a “slickly funny” performance.
Pete Hempstead of Theatermania offered similar sentiments. He describes the musical as a “bright, colorful extravagance of nostalgic comedy, charming songs, and high-stepping choreography.” This original show features a “zippy score, terrific tap numbers,” and “energetic performances,” including a “hysterical” Stephen DeRosa as Boop’s grandpa and Bergen with his “impeccable comic timing.”
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Even those critics who weren’t as positive still found elements of the show to applaud. Jesse Green of The New York Times characterizes the production as “ludicrous,” a “merch grab,” and filled with “laboriousness.” But read further and you’ll find he applauds Rogers as an “immensely likable” lead who “sings fabulously,” the “imaginative dances,” and a score which “pops nicely.”
These largely positive notices throw Boop! into Tony Awards contention in a number of categories. In an incredibly stacked year for new works, Boop! could make a play for a Best Musical nomination and currently sits in seventh place in Gold Derby’s odds.
Rogers has been gaining ground in our Best Musical Actress predictions, too, now in sixth place just one spot outside of the five-nominee lineup. With these notices, she should absolutely not be underestimated for her first career Tony nomination.
Our users are currently expecting the show to get nominated for Best Original Score and win for Best Choreography.
Watch Rogers in action in these Boop! The Musical clips:
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