Boop! The Musical Faces Early Closure After Struggling at the Box Office
The Broadway production Boop! The Musical is reportedly on track to shut its doors by the end of June 2025, after failing to muster enough ticket sales to cover its high operating expenses.
The show has been operating at under 85% seating capacity, with weekly grosses barely reaching $500,000. These numbers are far from enough to sustain a large-scale Broadway production with extensive cast and production costs.
The musical also failed to land a performance slot at this year’s Tony Awards, despite efforts by its producers. It’s believed the decision came down to financial constraints—supposedly a required fee of approximately $300,000—or because the fan-led petition lacked the necessary signatures to secure a spot.
Critics and theatergoers have often commented that Boop! suffers from a thin storyline, serving primarily as a framework for song and dance rather than a vehicle for character depth or narrative substance. A recurring critique has been that the plot feels “cliched and predictable,” with some questioning the overall purpose of the production.
Adding to the musical’s woes, the casting of lead actress Jasmine Amy Rodgers ignited a heated debate online. Some fans took to platforms like TikTok to argue that Rodgers, who is Black, did not align with the traditional depiction of Betty Boop. These critics claim that since the animated Betty Boop appeared white in her 1930s cartoons, the role should have gone to a white actress.
However, influencer Inessa Lee attempted to shift the discourse toward historical accuracy, posting on Instagram: “Could you please stop arguing whether Betty Boop was black or white, because she was Jewish.” The comment sparked its own controversy, as many have pointed out that Betty Boop’s origins do trace back to Jewish creator Max Fleischer, and even subtle visual cues—such as the father’s kippah in the “Minnie the Moocher” episode—suggest Jewish roots.
Interestingly, Rodgers received a Tony Award nomination despite not performing on stage this year. Reports say she initially failed to convince the production team during early choreography auditions. She eventually passed through seven audition rounds—highly unusual in Broadway casting—and some speculate that her casting was influenced by factors other than talent alone. Yet, as Jerry Mitchell reportedly warned, Rodgers’ presence did not help to draw audiences, and her casting may have inadvertently contributed to the show’s underperformance.
Amid dwindling ticket sales, angel investors have continued to fund the show, but receipts since April 2025 indicate little improvement. With time running out, Broadway fans and insiders are watching closely to see what the future holds for Boop! The Musical.
