BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical at Academy of Music

“Funny, captivating, a total knockout!” – The Washington Post

She is the most iconic flapper in the world, living in a black-and-white comic world. After all these years, she has grown bored, and has decided to set out to conquer North America – Betty Boop-style! 

Betty Boop is heading out to win over hearts nearly a century after her creation – and she is bringing a whole lot of laughter, fun, and Boop-oop-a-doop along with her! That’s right – the world is turning into a technicolor spectacle; the trademark black-and-white looks, voice, and style is getting a colorful makeover in a genuine feel-good, old-school theatre-magic kind of way; sizzling, upbeat, and jazz-infused new showstopping tunes is filling the air; powerhouse vocals oozing with sass is exploding on the stage; delightful, eye-popping designs are being brought to life; and tap-dancing that hits 11 on the energy-meter is going hard and heavy for the highlight-title! Trust us – we’ve experienced it first hand, and Betty Boop stepping out on stage for the very first time is not something that you can miss! 

So get ready Philadelphia, because Betty Boop is tapping into town this season – BOOP! The Musical is coming to the Academy of Music! 

BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical Tickets

Tickets are on sale now from the Academy of Music’s box office, and due to the exceptionally high demand, they are flying off the shelves at breakneck speed! We’d recommend that you don’t wait around – simply click on the Buy Tickets link now to be redirected to the world’s most reliable online marketplace TicketSqueeze.com to secure your premier seats and download your buyer-guaranteed tickets directly to your phone within minutes!

“What’s not to love about Betty Boop?” – Chicago Tribune

SYNOPSIS

Even centuries-old icons grow tired of the spotlight. 

All Betty Boop is dreaming of is an ordinary day outside of the regular black-and-white Toontown. She is overworked, and is struggling with her identity, as for as long as she has been around, audiences only knew her exactly as they wanted her to be. She sneaks into one of her grandfather’s inventions and teleports to the real world – New York City. 

Betty Boop materializes at a Comic-Con, where she blends perfectly with the cosplayers around her, and meets some real-world fans. However, when Betty’s celebrity status is selected to be used to boost a political campaign, things start to unravel around her. Betty decides to return to Toontown to save her home, and her newfound love Dwayne decides to follow her. 

Oozing with themes of female empowerment, joy, and strength, BOOP! The Musical is contemporary, stripping away Betty Boop’s actual age and bringing her into the here and now. We’ve seen it – It is exploding with a whole lot of heart; it is an extraordinary theatrical experience that must be seen by young and old alike – and we can say with certainty, that it is slated to become one of Broadway’s most entertaining productions ever! 

“Like ‘Barbie’, ‘BOOP!’ goes on a dual-reality journey of transformation, and along the way boasts an upbeat score, terrific dance numbers, and delightful designs.” – Variety

CREATIVE TEAM

Bob Martin’s incredible book based on Max Fleischer’s iconic animated character, David Foster’s showstopping score, Susan Birkenhead’s catchy lyrics brought Betty Boop alive like never before – and her outing to Philadelphia is bound to be filled with adventure, color, music, and love. It is the very first time Betty Boop will be stepping out of her black-and-white comic strip and traveling across North America – and in our opinion, this spectacular production for young and old is without a doubt the biggest must-see of the season! 

At the helm of the award-winning and world-renowned creative team, and breathing life into the world’s favorite flapper as she steps onto stage for the very first time, is director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde: The Musical, On Your Feet!, Pretty Woman: The Musical, The Devil Wears Prada, Becoming Nancy), also featuring the incredible and visionary talents of scenic designer David Rockwell, costume designer Gregg Barnes, lighting designer Philip S. Rosenberg, sound designer Gareth Owen, projection designer Finn Ross, and marionette design by The Huber Marionettes.  

“Director Jerry Mitchell’s sing-and-smile-along production of ‘BOOP! The Musical’ is like gulping a glass of fizzy sangria after a rough day.”  Chicago Tribune

CAST

Critics have hailed the Broadway performances of BOOP! The Musical as being nothing short of charismatic, showstopping, and delightful; and for us, the rebranding and remaking of the dated pop character for contemporary audiences is a smash-hit! 

Featuring a powerhouse cast with vocal chops to die for, dazzling choreography with terrific tap numbers, and full-bodied characterization, BOOP! The Musical is tuneful, fizzy, and a whole lot of fun! Audiences can look forward to the stellar talents of Jasmine Amy Rogers (The Wild Party, Mean Girls, Jelly’s Last Jam, Becoming Nancy, Oklahoma!, The Sound of Music) as Betty Boop – embodying the flirty, sweet, and charismatic persona to a tee, Faith Prince as Valentina, Ainsley Melham as Dwayne, Erich Bergen as Raymond, Stephen DeRosa as Grampy, Anastacia McCleskey as Carol, Angelica Hale as Trisha, Phillip Huber as Pudgy, Aubie Merrylees as Oscar, and Ricky Schroeder as Clarence, among others. 

“It delivers what it promises: a big Broadway production that leaves you grinning, and a star performer with the poise, charm and chops to make you believe that what the world needs now might be, of all things, a little more Betty Boop.” Time Out New York

HISTORY & LEGACY

The world’s favorite flapper, as designed by Grim Natwick on request of Max Fleischer, originally appeared on the 1930s Talkartoon and Betty Boop film series, and featured in over 90 theatrical cartoons during the 1930s. Her fame inspired Bob Martin to remake Betty Boop – a dated character – to appeal to modern audiences, and with David Foster’s showstopping, jazz-tinged score and Susan Birkenhead’s lyrics, Betty Boop has stepped into the modern world – dazzling, charismatic, and as sassy-sweet as ever! 

BOOP! The Musical premiered in Chicago at the CIBC Theatre in November 2023, after which it transferred to Broadway’s Broadhurst Theatre, opening in April 2025, where it ran for 112 performances. To date, BOOP! The Musical has received three Tony Award nominations, three Drama Desk Awards, and three Outer Critics Circle Awards. 

“Joyously irresistible. A rollicking good time!” – Slant

THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC

Philadelphia, the Academy of Music is about to be dual-transformed into a comic strip – and the technicolor, vibrant New York City! 

Situated on 240 South Broad Street, Avenue of the Arts in Centre City Philadelphia, the Academy of Music is the oldest opera house in North America, and nearly 170 years after its official opening, is still being used for the purpose it was built for. Designed with a modest brick exterior and a lavish, grand 19th century interior modeled after Milan’s La Scala, the Academy of Music formally opened in February 1857 with a performance of Verdi’s Il Trovatore. 

The Academy of Music’s grand interior features a breathtaking mixture of American Baroque Revival designs, with a massive 5,000-pound crystal chandelier, gold-leaf caryatids, detailed wood carvings, stunning ceiling murals, a bold crimson curtain framing the incredible stage, and a horseshoe-shaped auditorium with scarlet colored seating for 2,600 patrons across a parquet level, balcony, family circle, and amphitheatre. The Academy of Music boasts excellent views of the stage from all seats, pin-drop acoustics, state-of-the-art sound and lighting, and modern amenities including air-conditioned interiors, wheelchair access, multiple event spaces such as the lavish Academy Ballroom and a smaller classroom for intimate events, concession stands with plenty of snacks and drink options, and ample safe parking. 

“Zesty explosion of color and dance!” – Daily Beast