BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical - Pre-Broadway Chicago — Page 12

I like how composer David Foster is adjusting the arrangements during the run, with an instrument added or removed from a song - even if it’s a different choice on the electric keys. There is endless joy in Boop’s music.

The Pedicab Entry music has a changed arrangement.

Valentina’s entrance was not in the vehicle. Instead, she walked on tonight. To no entry applause.

The performance was closed captioned, so I made certain to read the ending lyrics of PORTRAIT OF BETTY. Though the start-of-song verses have always been clearly sung by Boop superfan Trisha, I hadn’t realized the “human rights, world affairs” lyric until tonight.

In an opening black and white short, Boop ducked when hearing the animated gunshot.

TV anchor Cheryl King’s first appearance was an empty, no picture screen, but the full audio played.

Excellent recovery of a dropped red hat. It was on stage at the end of SHE KNOCKS ME OUT, then Boop started the rooftop scene by picking up the dropped item.
 

 

 

Updated On: 12/10/23 at 11:40 PM

I'm hearing the Broadway theatre too.

They want a big house. Believe they have a big hit. Maybe Shubert or Imperial will open up faster than some think. 

Swing Derek Jordan Taylor played the role of Director at the Sunday, December 10 matinee.

Faith Prince’s entrance has returned to the pedicab.

David Foster was interviewed on WGN radio Sunday morning. He said he had composed about 40 numbers for the production. Half didn’t make it into the Chicago tryout.

Updated On: 12/10/23 at 02:28 PM

gleek4114 said: "Forgive me if this has been asked, but is the merch booth selling window cards?"


I checked if there were a shop link on the shows website but there wasn’t one 

BalconyClub said: "Swing Derek Jordan Taylor played the role of Director at the Sunday, December 10 matinee.
 

And it looks like the day before that Asst. Director DB Bonds probably played that same role, not in costume, with script in hand (due to covid)

https://twitter.com/kkassal/status/1733664966266302562

Now that is something you don't see every day!

WestEndGal said: "BalconyClub said: "Swing Derek Jordan Taylor played the role of Director at the Sunday, December 10 matinee.

Faith Prince’s entrance has returned to the pedicab.

David Foster was interviewed on WGN radio Sunday morning. He said he had composed about 40 numbers for the production. Half didn’t make it into the Chicago tryout."

40 songs is impressive! I always think it must be difficult as a musical songwriter to have to cull songs that you might personally love but unfortunately just don’t fit!

I saw an interview with David on the Boop Chicago opening night red carpet where he said he wrote a new song in 2 days for the musical that they just put in it (which you will probably know what song!) … it was giving some serious Julia and Tom in Smash, lol!



"

Katharine probably told David to do it. 

 

Jerry Mitchell and David Foster said in a new interview that they're really gonna work on the second act. They were gonna also make some more changes but had to pivot because of Covid cases to rehearsing covers instead. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ip6Hk93VC4s&t=232s

BETTY22 said: "Are people no longer familiar with Betty Boop?"

I think as always it's less about familiarity, more about caring. Marketing needs to answer the question of WHY should people care about a Betty Boop musical, WHY should they go, WHY is it relevant?

I don't know a ton about the Chicago theatre scene, but I feel like this is a bad time of year to preview a show there? Unlike NYC, where there's a ton of tourism between Thanksgiving and New Years.

Agreed. It’s a giant theater. It’s just not established. To that point, Beetlejuice sold so well it’s coming back next summer.  People just don’t really like “new.” 

KJisgroovy said: "These kinds of pre-broadway tryouts don't sell out in Chicago without some sort of star or celebrity connection. It's an 1,800 seat theater for a brand new show with little to no buzz. It doesn't run long enough to really build word of mouth. The reviews came out a few weeks ago and it closes this weekend. The Who's Tommy was a smash at the Goodman... but it's an established property in a 900-seat theater."

Comparatively The Devil Wears Prada sold out for five weeks in a theatre that holds 2100 people. I’ll be curious how Death Become Her sells, because that film is more niche than DWP, but probably more well known than Betty Boop.

 

More thoughts on BOOP! from the Chicago Tribune, this time from film critic Michael Phillips. Includes a few thoughts on the character's origins and an interview with Mark Fleischer, the grandson of Max and probable muscle behind the musical.

 

Of all the recent ones the Wiz sold the best. I couldn’t even get a ticket. The resale was insane. 

Globefan said: "Jasmine Amy Rogers said the show is coming to Broadway spring of next year."

Interesting... this felt like a definite fall 2024 opening to me. Holiday season rush, the perfect kind of show to perform on the Macy's parade, etc. 

It's not like this is going to take home any awards, from what I have heard about the Chicago tryout. (Look for Jasmine to get a well-earned nod, though.)