Betty Crocker and associated words and designs are trademarks of General Mills, used under license. ©General Mills.
All photos by Rick Spaulding
Lyrical. Poignant. Delicious.
After two sold out runs at St. Paul’s History Theatre, I Am Betty is available to you.
Featuring a diverse all-female cast of 9 and a band of 4, I Am Betty is a musical that explores the ever-changing roles of women over the last century through the lens of Betty Crocker, America’s First Lady of Food. "Born" in 1921 to the company that would become General Mills, Betty was a marketing invention--not a real person--but she came to represent far more than the Gold Medal Flour she was created to sell. She was a letter-writing confidante, a friend to isolated women, a radio and television personality, and a relatable icon. Originally depicted as an everywoman, Betty has been a subject of both admiration and scorn as multiple generations of women across racial backgrounds have grappled with questions of female roles in American society.
I Am Betty was originally developed by History Theatre, St. Paul, Minnesota, Ron Peluso, Artistic Director.
What People Are Saying
“Still, there's a back to the future quality to "Betty" and that's because the story of progress is not a linear one. Lines around, say, Roe v. Wade, in the song “Hurricane” land with raw discomfort. Things that were settled and celebrated are unsettled and upturned.”
Minnesota Star Tribune“So can you really compress a century of history into a two-hour-and-45-minute musical, especially one with as broad a mission as conveying the evolution of an American woman’s role in households and society? Can you cram into one score almost every popular music style between ragtime and arena rock? And can this really be done with a cast of just nine women? The answer is yes.”
St. Paul Pioneer Press
“With a talented cast, high caliber staging, and a well-crafted book and score, I Am Betty delivers the onstage equivalent of a Betty Crocker cake mix's promise: a perfect cake every time.”
Talkin' BroadwayStar Tribune Critics Pick
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Twin Cities Theater Bloggers Awards for Favorite New Work of 2023
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Awards
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Star Tribune Critics Pick ✳︎ Twin Cities Theater Bloggers Awards for Favorite New Work of 2023 ✳︎ Awards ✳︎
Why you should license I Am Betty.
A story that honors a female hero.
100 years of musical styles like ragtime, doo-wop, rock anthems, and more.
Characters who are relatable, charming, funny, and flawed.
Brand recognition.
Be an innovator in your community!
CAST & BAND
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The 9 “Crockettes” each play a variety of roles through the show.
Expandable Cast
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Piano/Conductor
Drums/Bells
Bass
Guitar/Banjo
Meet the Writers
Denise Prosek, Composer | Lyricist
Denise Prosek is an award-winning music director, composer, and the co-founder of Theater Latté Da. She has over 100 credits to her name in venues including Guthrie, Children's Theatre Company, Ordway, Park Square, and Hennepin Arts. She was named Best Musical Director from Star Tribune Tribune in 2006 & 2008, Best Music Director from Lavender in 2010, and Theatre Artist of the Year from Lavender in 2012. She was the 2013-2014 recipient of the esteemed Playwright’s Center McKnight Theatre Artist Fellowship.
Cristina Luzárraga, Playwright | Additional Lyrics
Cristina Luzárraga is a playwright and teacher passionate about helping people of all ages express themselves creatively. As a writer, she has been recognized as both a McKnight and Jerome Fellow at the Playwrights’ Center, a finalist for the Princess Grace Award and the Jerome Hill Artist Fellowship, and winner of the Screencraft Stage Play Award. She is also an alum of EST’s Youngblood and Clubbed Thumb’s Early Career Writers Group. She has taught playwriting at Ohio University, Towson University, Macalester College, and the University of Minnesota.
Book It!
Ready to Request a Perusal or License the Show?
Licensing for I Am Betty is managed by Bourgoin Productions.
