David Foster ‘Boop’ interview: The place to purchase tickets, schedule

Betty Boop by no means actually went away.

The long-lasting Despair-era cartoon character — who remained omnipresent for a lot of the twentieth century — is again as soon as once more. This time, the chirpy, high-pitched flapper with the unmistakable bob serves because the inspiration and jumping-off level for the brand new, fish-out-of-water musical comedy “Boop” at NYC’s Broadhurst Theatre.

Gifted newcomer Jasmine Amy Rogers (The Submit claimed she will be able to “belt with the best of them” of their overview of the present) makes her Broadway debut because the titular Betty Boop who’s unintentionally despatched from a classy artwork deco black-and-white set to fashionable technicolor Comedian Con occasions by her kooky inventor grandfather, Grampy (performed by “Boardwalk Empire” vet Stephen DeRosa performs the character with an actual comedian verve). And, sure, hijinks, a star-crossed love story and a dastardly political plot by a corrupt mayoral candidate ensue.

Mainly, assume “Barbie” meets Chaplin’s “Modern Times” with a splash of “Back To The Future” and you’ve got the recipe for the madcap “Boop.”

But, what makes this self-referential, family-friendly manufacturing so particular isn’t simply its ingenious story. The big-scale, candy-colored units (that are switched out at a rapid-fire clip), exactingly choreographed dance numbers and brassy large band jazz and swing music all wow and remind audiences why the dwell theater expertise is so important. There aren’t any edits or cuts in “Boop” — simply gifted performers and craftsmen working on the peak of their powers.

To be taught extra in regards to the spectacularly foolish but bold manufacturing that endlessly pokes enjoyable at its supply materials, The New York Submit spoke with composer David Foster about his multi-genre rating, the cartoony but cinematic meta present and his ongoing co-headlining tour along with his spouse, Katharine McPhee.

How did you select “Boop”?

I didn’t select “Boop.” 15 years in the past, no one was asking me to do a Broadway musical. No person had ever steered it. [This show] was the very first thing to return alongside asking “would you like to try this?” and I used to be like “of course I’d love to try it.” I used to be prepared for a brand new problem however had by no means been an enormous fan of the character.

Again within the day, I labored fairly a bit with Dolly Parton, and I all the time noticed similarities between Betty and Dolly. Every little thing that comes out of Dolly’s mouths is indirectly a lesson. She doesn’t essentially imply to try this however she’s simply constructed that means.

I really feel the identical about Betty. Every little thing that comes out of her mouth is kind of a lesson. I’m not making an attempt to scare anyone away from the musical as a result of it’s not heavy. She simply shares widespread sense stuff that shouldn’t be taken without any consideration.

What was your fundamental inspiration for the rating?

I took piano classes as a child however my father was a very gifted newbie piano participant and performed stride piano, which is like honky-tonk Nineteen Thirties music. God bless him, he patiently taught me the right way to play after I was seven, so I had a superb basis for “Boop.”

When composing the rating, I attempted to make music that couldn’t be pinned all the way down to a time interval. I needed it to sound prefer it may have been written right now or 100 years in the past.

On a extra sensible stage, there’s a narrative to be instructed right here and generally the artistic workforce has sure wants for songs. For instance, an uptempo music needs to be enjoyable, must have a dance break, and so forth. I simply tried to recollect the place she was from, bear in mind what my father had taught me about that interval of music and apply my pop writing abilities.

I really received a whole lot of encouragement the primary day, 15 years in the past, when the producers stated “toward the end of the show, we have a real bouncy number” and, with out pondering, I went over to the piano and the music “Why Look Around the Corner” fell out of me in actual time. Lo and behold, that music survived after coming to me instantly within the first 5 minutes of the primary assembly.

Which ‘Boop’ music is your favourite?

There’s a music early within the present known as “Ordinary Day.” In it, Betty sings “I wish just for one day I could be ordinary, just be me, just be miss nobody from nowhere and have normal friends” and I like this one as a result of it’s uncommon. I get a whole lot of flak in my life for writing smooth stuff however this music is slightly edgy in its presentation.

How has the present modified because you first received concerned within the challenge?

I’ve in all probability seen the present 50 occasions and it’s modified drastically from Chicago, the place it debuted. Jerry Mitchell’s an excellent director and choreographer, and the workforce actually delivered a very enjoyable two and a half hour present.

Nonetheless, it’s totally different in chunks. Particularly, Grampy and Valentina’s story modified rather a lot. I’m at a whole lot of the rehearsals, so I see the adjustments in actual time. Jerry approaches the present the best way I strategy making music.

Once I’m recording I attempt to repair each element understanding full-well that if I let one or two particulars go like an out-of-tune word, nobody’s actually going to care however making the whole lot good makes for a greater music.

Jerry does the identical factor along with his path, There are some issues he catches I might by no means discover and I feel the end result of all these particulars makes for a significantly better present.

How was working with the solid?

The solid is unimaginable. They get labored to the bone each day. They work all day, each day, within the theater after which do a present after that. It’s exceptional.

I feel Jasmine Amy Rogers simply turns into Betty from the primary to the final body. Extra importantly, should you watch her face at any time throughout the two plus hours, she’s by no means out of character, not for one second. I feel she’s going to grow to be a star.

What’s subsequent for you?

That is my first Broadway present, however I’m really engaged on one other one proper now known as “Lucky Us” based mostly on a novel by an creator named Amy Bloom. We simply did a learn with an unimaginable director named Michael Grace. My writing associate on that’s AnnMarie Milazzo, and she or he’s superb as effectively.

I could also be ensconced in Broadway now for the ultimate chapter of my life.

Are you occurring tour this 12 months?

Sure. Katharine [McPhee, Foster’s wife] and I are going to try to combine it up. Along with my songs, we get away with performing classics we each love. Simply a few nights in the past, I used to be messing round with the music ‘Impossible Dream,’ which isn’t mine, however it’s so nice and I simply know that Kat would sing it very well.

Any favourite reveals on Broadway in the mean time?

We noticed “Death Becomes Her” and liked it. “Othello,” too. I assumed Denzel was nice, however Jake Gyllenhaal blew me away. I don’t know a lot about Shakespeare, however he introduced the phrases to 2025.

The 2 of us additionally caught “Good Night and Good Luck” with George Clooney, who was nice.

Then, we went to “Sunset Boulevard” opening night time and liked it. I by no means noticed the unique however Nicole Scherzinger is superb. Her efficiency is so epic. The music’s nice, the set, the design, all phenomenal.

This interview has been condensed and edited for readability.

Betty Boop Broadway tickets 2025

Based mostly on our findings, the curtain goes up on “Boop” Tuesdays by means of Sundays at New York Metropolis’s Broadhurst Theatre.

The two.5-hour present — together with one 15-minute intermission — goes darkish on Mondays. The one main quirk to “Boop’s” schedule is that there’s solely a 2 p.m. matinee on Wednesdays, no night present.

Different matinees happen on Thursdays and Saturdays at 2 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.

To seek out the present that makes probably the most sense on your schedule, yow will discover the whole “Boop” schedule right here.

Love the music in “Boop?” The soundtrack hits cabinets June 6.

David Foster tour schedule 2025

As famous above, Foster can be embarking on a co-headlining tour along with his spouse, singer Katharine McPhee (and trumpeter Chris Botti on choose dates).

From Might by means of July, the musically-gifted couple (and Botti!) will ship requirements and classics at theaters and opera homes throughout North America. If you happen to’d wish to see them, right here’s the place they’ll be these subsequent few months.

Big musicals on Broadway in 2025

Midtown Manhattan is affected by thrilling reveals this spring.

Along with “Boop” and the reveals Foster noticed, listed here are simply 5 of our favourite musicals you must preserve a watch out for these subsequent few months.

• “Maybe Happy Ending”

• “Smash”

• “The Outsiders”

• “Gypsy”

• “Cabaret”

Need to take a look at a live performance, too? Check out our checklist of all the most important artists on tour in 2025 to seek out the present for you.

This text was written by Matt Levy, New York Submit dwell occasions reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the newest tour bulletins out of your favourite musical artists and comedians, in addition to Broadway openings, sporting occasions and extra dwell reveals – and finds nice ticket costs on-line. Since he began his tenure on the Submit in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen live performance and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to call a couple of. Please word that offers can expire, and all costs are topic to alter