Seoul Gazette - Aliya Grace Brings Betty Boop to Life in 'Boop! The Musical' National Tour

Aliya Grace is stepping into the signature heels of Betty Boop as the lead performer in the first national tour of "Boop! The Musical." The production, which officially opened on Broadway in April 2025, has now embarked on its inaugural tour, bringing the animated icon’s story to theaters across North America. Currently performing at its fourth stop in St. Louis, Grace describes the experience as a surreal realization of long-held dreams.

The musical adaptation follows Betty Boop as she transitions from her original black-and-white cartoon world into modern-day New York City. The production features a high-profile creative team behind it, including direction and choreography by Tony Award-winning Jerry Mitchell, music and arrangements by multiple Grammy winner David Foster, lyrics by Tony Award nominee Susan Birkenhead, and a book by Tony Award winner Bob Martin.

Grace’s journey to the role began far from the Broadway stage. Growing up in Mankato, Minnesota, she developed an early passion for performance. "I grew up singing, and I pretty much sang wherever I could in my hometown," Grace said. Her interest in musical theater was sparked at age six when her mother encouraged her and her sister to audition for a local production of "Wind in the Willows." The experience revealed a love for acting and dancing that set her on a professional path.

After high school, Grace moved to Los Angeles to train rather than attend college. She joined Debbie Allen’s Dance Academy (DADA) through its RISE Musical Theater Program, where she studied under Allen for nearly a year. "I was so grateful to have found Debbie Allen’s program... because it helped me continue to train even though I wasn’t in school," Grace said. She noted that Allen provided comprehensive guidance on performance and was a supportive mentor during her time of self-discovery as an artist.

The path to casting for "Boop! The Musical" began when Grace spotted an open call audition online while still performing theater in Minnesota. The process involved multiple stages, including video submissions and travel between Minnesota and New York. "I had been doing theater in Minnesota for about a year and a half, and then I saw the audition for BOOP on Instagram," she recalled. After an initial open call and additional video materials, Grace traveled to New York for a week of auditions in late April.

The process intensified with three auditions in one week, featuring different materials and casting directors. Following a return to Minnesota and a brief period of uncertainty, Grace was invited back to New York for a work session and a final audition on June 1. "It was wild — but I’d do it again," she said.

Portraying Betty Boop requires capturing not only the character’s physical mannerisms and catchphrases but also her distinctive voice. Grace credited Broadway star Jasmine Amy Rogers, who originated the role on stage, for providing inspiration. "I take a lot of inspiration from Jasmine Amy Rogers... I watched a lot of her clips and interviews," Grace explained. She combined this research with her own natural vocal tendencies to develop her interpretation. "Betty’s voice kind of came naturally to me and so I just put all that together." She noted that the voice was not explicitly tested during her audition, leaving the final execution to her discretion.

The role carries additional cultural weight due to ongoing discussions about Betty Boop’s origins being linked to African American jazz singer Esther "Baby Esther" Jones. Grace, a Black woman, emphasized the significance of representing Black women in joyful, non-stereotypical roles. "That’s one of the most important parts of all of this for me — [it] is being able to represent Black women in this way and in a joyful role," she said. She highlighted that such representation is rare and expressed gratitude for the positive interactions with Black audience members who see themselves reflected in the story.

The show is characterized by high-energy choreography and flirtatious dialogue, but Grace identified a specific moment as her favorite: the performance of "Something to Shout About." Described as the 11 o’clock number near the end of the show, it features Betty alone on stage in a star field. "I get to really let go in that moment," Grace said. "Betty is so put together all the time, and I really get to embrace Betty feeling all of her feelings in that song, and it’s super powerful."

Grace views her casting as a result of divine timing and hopes audiences leave the theater with a sense of joy. She referenced director Jerry Mitchell’s description of the show as a "joy machine," noting its value as an escape from daily life. "I hope that they take away joy and definitely hope as well," she said.

"Boop! The Musical" is scheduled to perform at The Academy of Music in Philadelphia from November 17 through November 22. Tickets and showtime information are available through ensembleartsphilly.org. Grace can be followed on social media under the handle @thealiyagrace.

O.Kwon--SG