It’s opening night on Broadway and backstage at the Broadhurst Theatre theatre, the energy is electric. Among the buzz, star Ainsley Melham is centering himself with stretches, vinyl tunes, and a whole lot of heart. The Australian performer, known for lighting up stages around the world, is now bringing Dwayne — a swoon-worthy jazz musician — to life in the brand-new musical BOOP!, inspired by the iconic Betty Boop herself.
1883 catches up with Ainsley as he prepares to step into the spotlight, discussing everything from his pre-show rituals and vocal warm-ups to the surreal joy of seeing his dream take center stage to what it’s like to help birth a Broadway original, and why audiences might just fall in love with this show (and its marionette pup, Pudgy).
How are you feeling tonight, the opening night for BOOP!? Excited? Nervous? A mix of both?
It’s a mix of anticipation, disbelief, and excitement. Anticipation because we have worked long and hard to get here, refining the show and honing its message in preparation for this night and beyond. Disbelief because it still feels quite surreal that a young guy from country Australia is living out his dream of originating a role in a new musical on Broadway. And excitement because my beautiful family are here and I get to share this pivotal moment with them.
What’s your pre-show routine like? Do you have any rituals that help you get into character?
Pre-show, I put on some music. I have a beautiful vinyl player in my room, so I dim the lights and move through some stretches. I also spend some time on the stage before the show, feeling the space and going over some choreography. As for character, this Aussie boy has to adopt an American accent in the show, so I spend some time speaking in my character voice to make sure my brain is firing and ready to go.
How did you first get involved with BOOP! and what drew you to the role?
I first walked into the BOOP! audition room in February 2023. I knew nothing about the show apart from its iconic title figure. There were multiple things, though, that drew me to the project. David Foster’s music—a melodic, jazz inspired score that feels like a Golden Age Broadway musical. Bob Martin’s book—witty, quick fire, and playful, never taking itself too seriously until it grabs your heart and makes you want to weep. And of course the marvelous Jerry Mitchell. A technician who knows the musical form inside out, and whose ethos centers on spreading joy and love.
Can you tell us a bit about your character and what makes them special in this production?
Dwayne is a young jazz musician trying to carve out a career in contemporary New York. He is a gent who has a great nostalgia for a time before his own, which you see in the way he croons and glides across the stage. But most of all, he is a man who is looking for love and connection, which he finds first in his chosen family (Carol and Trisha) and beyond that in a wonderful cartoon come to life—Betty Boop.
What has the rehearsal process been like leading up to opening night? Any surprises along the way?
The rehearsal process for our Broadway run has been fast and furious. That is largely because much time and energy has been put into the pre-production of this show. We used our out-of-town tryout in Chicago and the break before our Broadway run to refine and finesse the show. As a result, we have worked quickly to implement changes before our opening in New York. The biggest surprise this time around is how singular this show feels. There are countless other fantastic shows premiering alongside us this season, but the joy generated by BOOP! feels unique.
How do you prepare physically and vocally for a performance-heavy show like this one?
I swim each day, starting the morning with laps in the pool. That gets my body moving in a gentle way and my lungs firing and ready to go. I take time to move through some vocal exercises before I travel to the theatre, to ensure my voice is in good shape. And otherwise, it’s about a good diet and water. Hydration is crucial, so I’m chugging H2O from the moment I get out of bed.
What’s the energy like backstage with the cast and crew right now?
We have such a tight knit and supportive company at BOOP! There is always an element of the unknown when you debut a new musical, a nervousness about how it will be received, the ticket sales, reviews etc.—the business side of it all. But backstage we are making a considered effort to remain calm, and grounded, and protect each other and the passionate, joy filled work we have done.
Have there been any particular challenges in bringing this show to life?
Many! There are some mind-bending illusions in this show—how characters move from the cartoon world to the real one—so there has been much meticulous work in trying to make those flawless. There is also an incredible amount of intricate choreography in all different styles, and we have been challenging ourselves to really lean into what makes each style unique so that the show feels diverse and dynamic.
How does it feel to be part of a brand-new musical, especially one based on such an iconic character like Betty Boop?
It’s the stuff young theatre kids dream of. Being a part of the original company of a musical means you get to have voice in how the show comes together. You get to shape the character you are playing, develop the details of their backstory, and define how they should move and sound. It is an absolute privilege to be part of that process, a privilege to not only be given a creative voice as an actor, but to also have that voice heard.
What do you think audiences will be most surprised or delighted by when they see the show?
Where do I start?…the heart! This show has so much heart, and that can be hard to find in a 2D world. Members of our audience often comment how they are beaming one moment, and weeping the next—that’s the magic of this show. Alongside that, you have to come to BOOP! just to see Pudgy—Betty’s canine friend. A marionette that trots around the stage, is as cute as a button, and steals the show.
Is there a moment in the show that you especially look forward to every night?
I love what we call the ‘rooftop scene’. It is essentially the climax of the romantic arc in the show, and it is a love letter to the Fred and Ginger like song and dance moments of old. Betty and Dwyane resolve their conflicts and share their love for one another by dancing across the rooftop, under moonlight and eventually fireworks. Every night we hear the delighted gasps from the audience.
Do you have any pre-show superstitions or lucky charms you rely on before the curtain goes up?
I wouldn’t say I have any superstitions, but I do need to adhere to my backstage ‘traffic’ if you will. Basically, I have my little list of people I visit, the main one, of course, being Jasmine Amy Rogers who plays Betty. We always stand next to each other in our cast huddle before the show, and I give her a kiss on the cheek and wish her a good show before the downbeat.
Looking ahead, what are you most excited for during the run of BOOP!?
Honestly, I’m most excited to have people in those seats every night. We don’t do this job for ourselves, we stand on that stage because we love to share stories, and that is only possible if we have an audience who is there to receive it. I believe in the intense love and glee of this show, and I am most excited to offer that, each night, to a theatre full of people.
Interview Kelsey Barnes
Photography Drew Elhamalwy
Styling Jake Sokoloff
Boutonniere Fleur’d Pins
Tailor Raquelle Pedraza
