Photos provided by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

For nearly 100 years, Betty Boop has captivated every inhabitable continent like no other cartoon could, becoming a brand ambassador long before the term ever existed and being the ongoing subject of a multi-generational mass merchandising blitz.

And though she’s logged nearly her entire life in shorts on the small screen or the pages of comic strips, the legendary character is finally achieving a fresh first now that “Boop! The Musical” made its pre-Broadway premiere at the CIBC Theatre.

Backed by a dream team of Tony Award-winning director/choreographer Jerry Mitchell (“Kinky Boots,” “Pretty Woman”) with music by A-list artist/songwriter/producer and multiple Grammy winner David Foster (Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Michael Bublé, Chicago), lyrics by Tony nominee Susan Birkenhead (“Jelly’s Last Jam,” “Working”) and book by fellow Tony winner Bob Martin (“The Drowsy Chaperone,” “Elf”), it’s poised to be a smash.

Just as much credit goes in the casting department, especially over the invincible Jasmine Amy Rogers as Betty and the wondrous Angelica Hale as Trisha, who idolizes the leading lady and becomes her best friend after accidentally getting beamed out of animation straight into the actual Comic Con.

Similar to a live concept of how the movie “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” integrated each universe, “Boop!” is brilliant at switching from the black-and-white television world to New York’s bright lights and kaleidoscope of colors.

Part of it is set against a jazzy and bubbly soundtrack filled with lots of old school razzle-dazzle, but it also bursts with as many current cultural references and does a remarkable job updating an icon, who’s in the process of simply enjoying a vacation from her circumstances and embracing a bit of belated self-discovery.

In fact, Betty gains increased self-confidence with each inspiring encounter and even winds up fiercely fighting for women’s rights that didn’t necessarily prevail in her original era, all while helping instill the same sense of assurance in Trisha, a gifted but apprehensive young artist, “big brother” Dwayne (Ainsley Anthony Melham), a budding love interest/struggling musician, and Aunt Carol (Anastacia McCleskey), a former political campaign manager striving to become the inaugural Black female mayor.

Truly, there’s no subject or circumstance where the practically fearless celebrity can’t lend advise and expertise, until of course they all wind up at a loss for words when the reality of her dual citizenship urgently sets in.

But with some scientific tinkering and the huge hopes that can only come from places like the Big Apple or Windy City, there just might be a way to work it all out, and at the very least, allow anyone who walks through its doors to realize they’re “capable of amazing things,” which is exactly how it’s thus far looking for “Boop!” on Broadway.

“Boop! The Musical” continues at the CIBC Theatre through Sunday, December 24. For additional details, visit BoopTheMusical.com and BroadwayInChicago.com.

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