Black actress cast as Betty Boop in new stage musical: ‘Feel seen and loved’

BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical will hit the stage this fall, starring a black actress to play the show’s iconic lead character.

The musical, which is directed and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell, unveiled on Wednesday that Jasmine Amy Rogers was cast to play the role of Betty Boop.

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Mitchell discovered Rogers in 2019 while directing the musical Becoming Nancy.

(Mark Seliger/Boneau/Bryan-Brown via AP)

“I remember even when she first auditioned for me for that there was something about her — that ‘it’ thing,” Mitchell told the Associated Press. “I was looking for moxie. I was looking for effervescence.”

Mitchell said the musical has been shaped to be a story of empowerment for women. He noted that Rogers embodies the play’s message as she is taking on a role that was not originally designed for black women.

“I’m basically casting Jasmine to fulfill the story that we’re telling in this musical,” Mitchell said. “And when you see the musical, I think you’ll immediately understand why I cast her.”

Rogers said she hopes her artistry and the musical’s story leave women feeling empowered.

“I really hope for young women that come to see it, that they they do leave feeling inspired, and they feel seen and loved and heard,” Rogers said.

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The iconic cartoon character of Betty Boop came on the scene in the 1930s. The character has been a popular culture fixture with appearances in the 1988 Who Framed Roger Rabbit film and the 1995 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical will first play Broadway In Chicago from Nov. 19 through Dec. 24.