One That Got Away: Boop! The Musical

One That Got Away:

Boop! The Musical

As I write this, they probably haven't even started the load out of Boop! The Musical at the Broadhurst yet. But that doesn't mean I'm not already disappointed that I missed it, because I am. I have many reasons why it happened - too many shows opened, not enough time to see everything, etc. Maybe I missed it because I don't know that much about Betty Boop, but that's a flimsy excuse. I knew next to nothing about Buena Vista Social Club or Operation Mincemeat, but I still managed to see them. Perhaps the closest to the truth is because I don't have a good history with comics turned musical - I hate Annie with a passion, and maybe the less I say about Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark the better. (I've seen both of those several times...)

 

But there are many reasons why I regret not paying a visit to see Betty. First, everything I've seen and heard about it looks like a lot of fun, traditional musical at its finest. Second, I am a huge fan of Jerry Mitchell - I've rarely missed one of his shows. His choreography is never less than exceptional. Finally, and probably the biggest regret I have is that I will never be able to say I saw the Broadway debut of star-in-the-making, Jasmine Amy Rogers. I have every intention of seeing everything else she does. 

Boop! The Musical began its 25 previews on March 11, 2025 at the Broadhurst Theatre, where it opened on April 5, 2025. It closed on Sunday, July 13, 2025 after 112 performances. The show was nominated for three 2025 Tony Awards: Best Choreography (Jerry Mitchell), Best Costume Design of a Musical (Gregg Barnes) and Best Actress in a Musical (Jasmine Amy Rogers). Ms. Rogers won a Theatre World Award, an Outer Critic Circle Award, and a Drama Desk Award for her performance.

One That Got Away: Groundhog Day

One That Got Away:

Groundhog Day

Everything about Groundhog Day pointed toward me seeing it. Its score came from the brilliant minds behind one of my favorite musicals, Matilda, including director, Matthew Warchus, choreographer, Peter Darling, and designer Rob Howell and a score by Tim Minchin. It also starred one of my favorite leading men, Andy Karl, who has, of late, made an entire career of playing this role around the world.

So, why is this one that got away? Well, to be honest, I really don't care for the film upon which it is based. But mostly, I think it had more to do with its very brief run in a crowded season of must-see musicals, revivals and individual performances. (Another "one that got away" that season was Anastasia.)

 

    

Groundhog Day began its 31 previews on March 16, 2017 at the August Wilson Theatre, where it played 176 performances before closing on September 17, 2017. The show was nominated for seven Tony Awards, including Best Book, Score, Choreography, Direction, Leading Actor and Best Musical.

📸: J. Marcus

One That Got Away: Song and Dance

During the 1985-1986 Broadway season, my heart belonged to The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and I was interested in little else. Ah, the blissful ignorance of youth! I was still so new to the world of Broadway. That year, Bernadette Peters won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a musical, but I didn't really know who she was, or how important she would become in my ever-expanding theater fandom. The show was Andrew Lloyd Webber's Song and Dance, and I simply was not interested. 

One That Got Away:

Song and Dance

Then, Miss Peters left the show, and Betty Buckley, my beloved Edwin Drood, took on the role. Needless to say, I got a ticket as fast as I could! But it was not to be. My ticket - 3rd row center for the matinee on Wednesday, November 12, 1986 - was no good. The show closed the previous Sunday, and became my very first One That Got Away show. I'm still not over it.

As it turns out, I didn't exactly miss out on Song and Dance after all. The 1st National Tour came to Baltimore in the summer of 1987. It starred Melissa Manchester, and featured many of the Broadway company including Bruce Falco, Cynthia Onrubia, Scott Wise and Valerie C. Wright, plus Broadway regulars Mindy Cooper and Eugene Fleming. It was worth the wait! What a delightful story, and it has some of my favorite Lloyd Webber songs in it - "Capped Teeth and Caesar Salad," "Take That Look Off Your Face," "Unexpected Song," and "Tell Me On a Sunday." And the dance part of the show features the epic "Variations." So this one got away from me, but I caught up!

Song and Dance began previews at the Royale Theatre on September 4, 1985. After 17 previews, it opened on September 18, 1985. Following 474 performances, the show closed on November 8, 1986. Nominated for 8 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Choreography, and Best Direction. Bernadette Peters won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical.

One That Got Away: Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life

One That Got Away:

Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life (2005)

Chita Rivera has been a performer I've looked up to and revered almost since I began following and learning about Broadway musicals. Over the years, I've had the pleasure of seeing her perform on Broadway, on National Tour, and on film. I even had a chance to speak with her, ever so briefly when I stage doored Kiss of the Spider Woman. It was a moment I'll never forget. With her passing, I am even more grateful for all those opportunities, but, of course, there is some regret for opportunities lost. One that got away was her autobiographical show, Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life, a production that I could have seen when I was in town (the same week Dick van Dyke guest starred). We could have gotten tickets. We should have gotten tickets. 

Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life began its 20 previews on November 23, 2005. It then opened at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, where it ran for 72 performances, closing on February 19, 2006. Ms. Rivera was nominated for a 2006 Best Actress in a Musical Tony Award.

One That Got Away: Flying Over Sunset

Given the circumstances, it is a small miracle that Flying Over Sunset even opened. It was ready to begin previews when everything shut down for COVID, but Lincoln Center kept everything in place for more than a year. There were a few cast changes, but most everyone was ready to get back to work when things slowly began coming back.

Missing this one was due entirely to time. It simply ran out before we could get to it.

One That Got Away:

Flying Over Sunset

     

     

On paper, at least, this had everything I look for in new shows. There was a director/writer I have always enjoyed, James Lapine, and a score by one of my very favorites, Tom Kitt. The cast was full of actors I greatly admire, including Carmen Cusack and Tony Yazbeck. And, of course, a weird, intriguing story that promised a fresh perspective, thought-provoking themes, and an emotional experience. I'm guessing that that "weirdness" had a lot to do with its poor box office performance. People like me, who thrive on unusual theatricality, it would seem are few and far between. Of course, there was also the specter/fear of COVID that even today affects Broadway's comeback.

At least there is the cast recording and several rehearsal videos to revisit. Still, this is one that got away that I really regret.

Flying Over Sunset began its 36 previews at the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center on November 11, 2021, and opened on December 13, 3021. It was nominated for four 2022 Tony Awards: Best Actress in a Musical (Carmen Cusack), Best Original Score (Tom Kitt & Michael Korie), Best Scenic Design of a Musical (Beowulf Boritt & 59 Productions) and Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Bradley King). After 35 performances, the show closed on January 16, 2022.

📸: J. Marcus