Two-time Kevin Kline winner Lavonne Byers bought herself her first Betty Boop item many years ago - a lunchbox that, she realized instantly, had terrific purse potential. But since then, they've all been gifts: the magnets, the pajamas, the framed set of postage stamps, the Christmas ornaments, the cartoon DVDs. Chez Byers, it's all Boop all the time.

Two of the actress's favorites have to be the Boop evening bag that was a gift from another leading lady of the St. Louis stage, Donna Parroné, and the keychain that flaunts Betty in a Mae West outfit. Byers portrayed West in a memorable production of "Dirty Blonde" here six years ago. Byers is one of the stars of the new show at the St. Louis Actors' Studio, an offbeat comedy called "Love Song."

"Betty Boop is cute and sexy without being threatening, and she thinks things through. She's ready for every occasion. She's always got the right outfit."