Ain’tcha kind glad? Betty Boop is getting her own musical on Broadway this year! This highly-anticipated production is making its world premiere in Chicago later this year, and fans are already buzzing with excitement. Here’s everything we know about the BOOP! musical.
The Legacy of Betty Boop
Even if you’ve never seen an episode of starring Betty Boop, you’ve most likely seen her likeness on many a tshirt, keychain, purse, etc. Betty Boop was a team effort, created by of Max Fleischer, Grim Natwick and other animators. Betty Boop made her debut in 1930 initially appearing as a French Poodle.
Eventually, Betty evolved into a full-fledged human character. Then, by 1932 she was the only female animated screen star in the world. In fact, she starred in more than 100 cartoons, 90 of which are included in the official Betty Boop series, which ended in 1939.
Her character has been through it all, being animated in black and white, and transitioning to color animation. She even survived the Hays Code, which was a set guidelines for motion pictures released between 1934 and 1968. The guidelines were named after William H Hays, the president of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America (MPPDA) at the time.
Betty Boop Comes to Broadway
In the musical, Betty dreams of a day off from being a super-celebrity in her black-and-white world. She soon finds her wish granted as she finds herself on an adventure in a world of color, music, and love in New York City.
Fans will be able to catch BOOP! during its six-week engagement November 19–December 31, 2023 at the CIBC Theatre in Chicago.
A Betty Boop Musical has been in the works for almost a decade, now finally able to come into fruition. In 2004, Andrew Lippa, David Lindsay-Abaire, and Jason Robert Brown were working on a production. Later a Betty Boop musical was announced to take place during the 2010-2011 season and was set to feature David Foster, Oscar Williams, and Susan Robinson. However, those all fell through.
The talent of BOOP!
Behind the scenes, BOOP! is a star studded production by the greats. Broadway fans will recognize Tony winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, La Cages aux Folles, Hairspray) who will direct and choreograph the production. The cast will be announced later this year. Grammy winner David Foster and Susan Birkenhead will be spearheading the music and lyrics while the book is written by Tony winner Bob Martin.
BOOP! will be playing a six-week engagement November 19–December 31, 2023 at the CIBC Theatre in Chicago.
