The iconic cartoon character, Betty Boop, made her first film appearance in “Dizzy Dishes,” which was part of Max Fleisher’s Talkartoon series starring a dog waiter named Bimbo. In the series, the nightclub singer quickly captured the heart of Bimbo. Originally, her role in the cartoon world was brief. However, it quickly became apparent she had not only won the love of Bimbo, but of the audiences as well.
Responding to the love, the Fleischers quickly added Betty Boop in more films and gave her larger roles. Soon, Betty Boop surpassed Bimbo in popularity. In 1932, she became the star of her own “Betty Boop” series of films.
The iconic character can be seen on clothing, apparel, stickers, phone cases, keychains and so much more. Now, Betty Boop fans have a chance to see their beloved character on stage in “Boop! The Musical.” Jasmine Amy Rogers has taken the role of Betty to a whole new level as she brings the character to life in its off-Broadway debut.
Bringing Boop to Life
“Boop! The Betty Boop Muscial” is making its debut in Chicago in hopes to charming its way to Broadway. Rogers is a triple threat rising star from Texas. In an interview with The Associated Press, Rogers shared her feeling about playing the iconic, baby-faced flapper.
Those are huge shoes to fill, but I’m in such a great company. I have so many people around me that are helping me find her and bring her to life, and so it’s really, really exciting.
Jerry Mitchell directs and choreographed the musical. In 2019, Mitchell discovered the rising star while he was directing the musical “Becoming Nancy” at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia.
Icon for Almost a Century
Betty Boop has been an icon character for almost 100 years. While in her debut appears she was created to look like a dog, Betty Boop has since been shaped into the tiny-waisted, sexually provocative cartoon character fans know and love today.
One Boop fan, Maison Monroe, said she thinks Betty is a “cool character.”
In the 1930s, she was this sexually promiscuous character. Women were not really seen like that. It was kind of badass and rebel of her.
Throughout her history, Boop has appeared as a cowboy, a pilot, a lion tamer, a successful presidential candidate, a zombie, and part of the zodiac. “Part of what really interested me is that Betty herself has become a kind of representative for strong, sexy, smart women,” Martin Fleischer said.
Want to See the Play
People can see Rogers portraying the ionic character from now until December 24 in Chicago’s CIBC Theatre. All of the characters seen in the play are based from ones created by Max Fleischer. The star-studded cast includes Erich Bergen, Ainsley Anthony Melham, Faith Prince, and many more.
By Sheena Robertson
Sources:
AP News: Rising star Jasmine Amy Rogers is tapped to play iconic Betty Boop in new stage musical
Chicago Sun-Times: Who was Betty Boop? New stage musical in Chicago tells a tale of the timeless cartoon creation
Fleischer Studios: Celebrating Betty Part One: Betty’s Rise to Fame
Boop The Musical: About
Featured Image Courtesy of Thomas Hawk‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Jim, the Photographer‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
