” BOOP” the Betty Boop Musical gets ready to stun Chicago

When it comes to theater, Chicago is NOT the 2nd city. Our theater community is thriving, our talent pool enlarging and Broadway finds that coming to our city first gives them security in their new works. Over my years as a reviewer, I have been able to see many new productions get their start here and then go on to great success on the Great White Way. This is because our audiences are made up of the right people. People who love quality theater and not just tourists looking to say they have been to a production on Broadway. We are true theater people!

The newest venture to get its start on one of our stages is “BOOP!” The Betty Boop Musical”  opening on November 19th at CBIC as part of Broadway In Chicago’s season. (thru New Year’s Eve/December 31st).

Today, the press was invited to see some of the numbers in this musical with a book by Bob Martin, Lyrics by Susan Birkenhead, and music by David Foster. Most young people don’t truly know the story or history of this beloved cartoon icon despite seeing T-shirts and accessories with her name or character on them. She is regarded as one of the first sex symbols on the animated screen. She was a symbol of the days of depression and a reminder of the days of the jazz flappers when life was just plain fun! She was introduced and created by Max Fleischer in 1930 and was more dog-like and by 1932 she became the only human female animated screen star on the silver screen. to see more about her visit www.bettyboop.com.

This new musical directed by Jerry Mitchell who introduced us to the cast and allowed us to listen in on two of the amazing numbers. They were “Where I Wanna Be” which ends the first act and “Something to Shout About” a terrific solo that Betty (Jasmine Amy Rogers IS Betty Boop) fills the theater with. Based on these two songs, I would have to say that we are bringing New York another victory at The Tony Awards.

Director, Jerry Mitchell , who loves Chicago, told us how we got here and how this show will use black and white to color through projections and puppetry for the dogs who also transform from animation to “live”. We have witnessed his work in the past, so I am excited as to how he will achieve this and know that he will succeed.

To order your tickets, I suggest you visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com. Do it right away as once the word is out, I anticipate this being a sell-out and once it goes to New York, you will have to wait for the road company. Why not see the original before those New York snobs get their opportunity?

Boop, Oop, a  Doop”!  The CIBC Theatre is located at 18 West Monroe Street