Boop the Betty Boop Musical:
The Chicago run for “Boop! the Betty Boop Musical” in Chicago ends on the 24th of December. There are 17 days until it closes. The general feedback is that some people like it.
But some people don’t like it, and that is okay.
Jasmine Rogers Is the New Betty Boop:
Jasmine Amy Rogers made her mark as this new Betty Boop. If anyone else takes her place, it is going to be hard to distinguish the role, since Rogers perfected it.
It’s not just that, it’s the costumes changes, and dance routines too, very entertaining.
A lot of people are confused, and they think that the character was written specifically as a Black woman. That is partially, but not entirely, accurate. This Betty can be any ethnicity. So she’s not going to be an outdated Black stereotype. Use your brain people. Any race can portray this Betty.
They were just considering Black women for the debut. Kim Exum filled the role at the previous try-outs, proving this. But there are two understudies that are other races, so Betty solely being Black doesn’t matter. I feel the need to say this, due to speculation from people who have not read or heard the interviews from the producers.
Speculating is fine and well, but you are more or less spreading misinformation doing so.
But that being said, Betty in this musical is Black and has been since the debut. Hopefully Rogers will portray the role up until it ends, because it will ruin the image of the show randomly changing the Betty. It won’t be the same. Rogers has a very special way of singing these songs with soul.
Also Rogers’ face expressions are so expressive, and just remind me of Josephine Baker. If anyone doesn’t know who Baker is, you need to research her.
Knowing Betty Boop personally, she as a character, doesn’t generally sing like that. But this musical is inspired by Cab Calloway, Harlem, the Cotton Club and more so it is something new. Betty did sing a Black-themed song “How’m I Doin’? with the “Tweet-Tweet-Tweet” in “I Heard” in 1933. That cartoon in question had Mae Questel sort of imitating a Black person’s voice.
David Foster and Jerry Mitchell and the other staff, they’ve worked really hard on this. Especially the music.
Anyone expecting Betty’s usual baby-voice, it is limited as is the “Boop-Boop-Be-Doop-Bop” routine. Personally I don’t think people want to hear squeaky baby songs. It would garner bad reviews. And singers today, some of them do somewhat sing in baby voices, but not like that. So to appeal to the new generation, they had to modernize that.
Obviously, the original Betty Boop voiced by Mae Questel is more accustomed to me and always will be. But that being said, the woman that voices Betty, you know Karen Fox? Fox who is one of the “several official voices” of Betty Boop or main voice today? Well Fox doesn’t sound like Questel.
So I see “no big deal” in Jasmine Rogers being the new Betty.
Betty Boop today in animated form doesn’t even sound how she used to. As said, King Features and the Fleischer Studios are to blame for that. So yeah, bring on a new Betty. I welcome this new Betty with open arms. Because I wanted to see a new version of the character.
The best thing is that Rogers has never once disrespected Questel or anyone for that matter. Whereas other Betty Boop impersonators, they often attack Mae Questel out of jealousy. Due to the fact, that they can’t emulate the voice that she originated. The only people to speak in favor of Questel were Desirée Goyette and Cindy Robinson.
Cindy Robinson the official voice of Betty Boop, she said some really nice things about Questel. So no, not everyone is envious. And they can be happy for others.
The “current” modern-day “cartoon form” of Betty in animation is quite outdated and unlikeable. So I generally don’t buy any merchandise of Betty Boop anymore, I stopped a long time ago. I won’t support Betty in that aspect anymore. For example if “cartoon Betty” promotes anything, I will not buy it. And I urge others to do the same. Ignore the new cartoon Betty, as she is faux-Betty.
I’ll buy any “old” Betty Boop product up until 2012, and the “Boop!” merchandise will be an exception.
When I first heard “Where I Wanna Be” I felt like it was a sort of gospel song.
There’s a lot of promotion being ramped up for the finale. Producers even invited rapper Ice Spice to the studio to meet the cast and crew of the Broadway show.
For those unaware the rapper freely promoted Betty Boop this Halloween. The rapper being invited was more or less free promotion for the musical. Yes, it is a PR stunt.
There’s nothing wrong with that.
Betty Boop is very popular at the moment and there are a lot of people imitating her. People are also going to the show dressed up as Betty Boop. You know cosplayers? When they see Betty Boop on the stage people scream in delight. They are happy to see a real Betty Boop.
So if anyone wants to support the show, please do. Not for me. But for Betty Boop.
If you are a “Booper” or fan of the series, if you don’t support the show. How on Earth is Betty supposed to make her grand comeback? A successful show could lead to a feature film or animated series.
Of course if you are a faux-fan, this show is definitely not for you.
Many years ago it was the new comic series. Who knows what the future holds for Betty Boop the cartoon character. So if anyone is in Chicago. Get your tickets now, because the Broadway show is ending soon.
Boop-Oop-a-Doop! Bop!
Boop-Boop-Be-Doop ♥ 