Broadway Breakdown: Episode Summary – "Matt Reviews BOOP & THE LAST 5 YEARS"
Release Date: April 8, 2025
Host: Matt Koplik
Podcast: Broadway Breakdown
Introduction
In this episode of Broadway Breakdown, host Matt Koplik dives deep into a double review of two Broadway productions: "Boop: The Musical" and a recent revival of "The Last Five Years". Despite a rocky start due to a hoarse voice from recent festivities and a lingering cold, Matt brings his characteristic passion and candid critique to the forefront, offering listeners an unfiltered look into both shows.
Review of Boop: The Musical
Boop: The Musical is an adaptation inspired by the classic cartoon character Betty Boop, encapsulating her journey from a star in her cartoon world to real-world adventures in New York City.
Plot Summary
The musical follows Betty Boop, portrayed by Jasmine Amy Rogers, as she grapples with her fading fame and identity crisis. Seeking anonymity, Betty uses a device created by her Grandpa (played by Stephen DeRosa) to travel to our world, landing at a bustling Comic Con. Here, she meets a teenage fan and her brother, intertwining her cartoon existence with real-world dynamics. As Betty navigates her new surroundings, the stability of her home dimension begins to crumble, forcing her to confront her sense of self and her responsibilities as a beloved icon.
Strengths
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Jasmine Amy Rogers' Performance: Matt praises Rogers as a standout performer, highlighting her "amazing voice," "gifted comedy," and "intuitive acting". He remarks, “'Jasmine Amy Rogers is genuinely a star.'” Her portrayal seamlessly blends Betty's cartoon antics with genuine emotional depth, making her a central pillar of the production.
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Design Elements: The costume design effectively differentiates between Betty’s black-and-white cartoon world and the vibrant real world. The clever flipping costumes for the ensemble during Act 2, as Matt notes, were "very well done" and elicited appreciation from the audience.
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Choreography and Music: The opening numbers of both acts received strong praise for their energy and execution. Matt specifically enjoyed the song "Where I Want to Be," describing it as "a bop".
Weaknesses
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Narrative Cohesion: Matt criticizes the show's lack of a strong, cohesive narrative. He states, "It's a fun time. It's also a mess. And I don't say that to be cruel." The plot feels scattered, with multiple secondary storylines that detract from Betty’s central journey.
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Character Overload: The presence of characters like Valentina (played by Faith Prince) and the teenage girl Trisha adds unnecessary complexity. Matt suggests cutting these roles to streamline the story, arguing that they "don't add anything to the plot."
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Limited Development for Betty Boop: Despite Rogers' stellar performance, Matt feels Betty's character lacks depth in her personal journey. He mentions, "She doesn't have a specific want that she then gets." Betty remains the center without substantial growth, undermining the emotional stakes.
Suggestions for Improvement
Matt offers constructive feedback for enhancing the musical:
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Trim Secondary Characters: Remove roles like Valentina and Trisha to focus more on Betty’s development and her relationship with Grandpa.
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Strengthen Narrative Arc: Develop a more cohesive storyline with clear stakes and character growth to elevate the production beyond mere entertainment.
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Enhance Betty’s Journey: Provide a more profound exploration of Betty’s identity and her struggles, ensuring her arc resonates deeply with the audience.
Quotes
- Matt Koplik: “'Boop is a fun time. It's also a mess.'” [05:00]
- Matt Koplik: “'Jasmine Amy Rogers is genuinely a star.'” [10:30]
- Matt Koplik: “'She is lightning in a bottle.'” [30:45]
Review of The Last Five Years
"The Last Five Years" is a two-person musical by Jason Robert Brown, chronicling a five-year relationship between Kathy, an aspiring actress, and Jamie, an emerging novelist. This revival stars Nick Jonas as Jamie and Adrienne Warren as Kathy, directed by Whitney White.
Plot Summary
The narrative unfolds with Kathy's perspective moving backward in time and Jamie's moving forward, intertwining their experiences over five years. The musical delves into the complexities of their relationship, marked by love, ambition, and eventual separation.
Strengths
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Adrienne Warren's Performance: Matt highly commends Warren's talent, stating, "Adrienne Warren is a phenomenal talent." Her portrayal of Kathy brings depth and nuance to the character, effectively balancing vulnerability with strength.
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Vocal Performances: Despite critiques, Matt acknowledges moments where both actors shine, particularly Warren’s interpretative singing and emotional delivery.
Weaknesses
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Casting Misalignment: Matt expresses significant disappointment with Nick Jonas in the role of Jamie. He argues, "He is not a Jeremy Jordan or Norbert Leo Butz." Jonas's vocal range and stage presence, according to Matt, fall short of the character's requirements, leading to a lack of chemistry with Warren.
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Directorial Choices: Whitney White's direction was criticized for augmenting the production’s scale beyond its intimate roots. The decision to showcase more grandiose staging and presentational numbers conflicted with the show's personal narrative.
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Theatrical Missteps: The large theater environment led to cluttered staging, distracting effects, and a disjointed narrative flow. Matt notes, "It's constantly losing the thread," resulting in diminished emotional impact.
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Production Design: Over-the-top set pieces and flashy lighting detracted from the intimate storytelling, making the production feel more like a spectacle than a heartfelt exploration of a relationship.
Suggestions for Improvement
Matt outlines several areas for refinement:
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Appropriate Casting: Opt for performers with the vocal prowess and natural chemistry suited to the roles, ensuring the characters' emotional arcs are convincingly portrayed.
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Intimate Direction: Embrace the show's inherent intimacy by opting for a more subdued, focused staging that highlights the characters' interactions rather than external spectacle.
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Streamlined Production Design: Simplify set and lighting design to support, rather than overshadow, the narrative, allowing the story’s emotional core to resonate with the audience.
Quotes
- Matt Koplik: “'It is a very scattered, in my opinion, very unattractive design.'” [25:00]
- Matt Koplik: “'Nick Jonas does not glide. He's constantly almost like fighting with himself to make it through each song.'” [35:15]
- Matt Koplik: “'I don't think this production ever really should have existed.'” [40:00]
Conclusion
Matt Koplik wraps up the episode by expressing his mixed feelings about both productions. While "Boop: The Musical" boasts a standout performance by Jasmine Amy Rogers and impressive design elements, it suffers from narrative inconsistencies and character overload. On the other hand, the revival of "The Last Five Years" falters due to casting mismatches and directorial excesses that compromise the show's intimate essence.
Despite his critiques, Matt remains hopeful, emphasizing the potential for both shows to evolve and improve. He encourages listeners to engage with the podcast community via Discord and participate in upcoming Tony Awards predictions, fostering a space for passionate theater enthusiasts to connect and discuss.
Notable Quotes from Matt Koplik:
- “'You have a fun time, but it doesn't make much sense.'” (Boop Review)
- “'Nick Jonas does not glide.'” (The Last Five Years Review)
- “'Adrienne Warren is a phenomenal talent.'” (The Last Five Years Review)
- “'You can't just run on vibes alone.'” (Overall Feedback)
Additional Information
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Join the Community: Matt invites listeners to join the Discord Channel, currently boasting 250 members, to engage in discussions, Tony Awards predictions, and access exclusive merchandise opportunities.
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Follow Matt: For updates and behind-the-scenes content, follow Matt on Instagram @mackopolic.
Note: This summary excludes advertisements and non-content sections from the transcript, focusing solely on Matt Koplik's reviews and insights into "Boop: The Musical" and "The Last Five Years".