Those planning on being in downtown Bethel on Oct. 22, shouldn’t be surprised if they see a crowd of people dressed as Helen Roper from “Three’s Company.”
Bethel residents, Randi Ferris and Genée West, are organizing their first “Roper Romp” that Sunday in collaboration with Bethel coffee shop, Molten Java. Attendees are invited to stroll down Greenwood Avenue in curly red-haired wigs and elegant caftans while enjoying themed drinks at local businesses.
“We’re calling it the Helen-ween,” West said.
Helen Roper — also known as Mrs. Roper in the show — is a character played by Audra Lindley (1918-97) on the 1970s and ’80s sitcom,”Three’s Company,” which centers around three single roommates who live together in an apartment complex owned by Roper and her husband, Stanley. Lindley and Norman Fell, who played Stanley, left the ABC series in 1979 for their own 1980 sitcom, “The Ropers.”
Roper is sarcastic and flirtatious, and she’s praised by fans for her confidence and style.
“Mrs. Roper is a symbol of female cool and being exactly who you are,” Marissa Amundsen, a supervisor at Molten Java, said.
The Romp will begin at 11:30 a.m. at Molten Java and there will be a group photo at noon. Molten Java will serve drinks titled “Oh, Stanley!” and “Kaftan Koo!” Notch8 will serve the “Moo-Moo,” the “Dirty Helen” will be offered at Broken Symmetry and Edison Kitchen will have the “Red-Headed Roper” on its menu.
Organizers are also asking attendees to bring nonperishable food donations for the Bethel Community Food Pantry and to drop them off at Molten Java. Suggested items include cereal, coffee, soup, canned tuna, rice and pasta.
West, who began the Support Local-Bethel Facebook group, wanted to give back to community members through the event.
“Instead of asking for (attendees) to pay for tickets, showing up with a box of cereal isn’t going to break anybody’s bank. And if they could do it, that would be awesome, especially with Thanksgiving and the holidays coming up,” she said.
Bethel’s gathering isn’t the only “Roper Romp” taking place this fall. Celebrations of Helen Roper occur in dozens of cities across the U.S. and Canada every year. The first one took place a decade ago during Southern Decadence, an annual gay party weekend in New Orleans, according to The New York Times.
There is even a Facebook group dedicated to the character called International Order of Mrs. Ropers, in which people plan and coordinate Roper Romps. Ferris is one of the group’s 8,600 followers.
“I started wearing caftans during lockdown. It was something that started as a joke, but once I slipped one on and realized how comfortable it was, I was hooked,” she said via text. “When I saw videos of people embracing the whole caftan culture on social media, I tested the waters on the Support Local Bethel page to see if anyone was interested in a Roper Romp and sure enough there were lots of people who were ready to embrace their inner Mrs. Roper!”
Both Ferris and West watched “Three’s Company” growing up. When Ferris was a kid, she wanted to be like Chrissy, played by Suzanne Somers, and saw Roper as “some kooky old lady with funny clothes.” Looking back years later, she realizes she is more similar to Roper.
“She just puts it all out there, and now that I’m 50 I can appreciate her so much more,” she said.
The event will be relaxed and attendees aren’t expected to visit all of the businesses, Ferris said.
West said “quite a few” friends and acquaintances have expressed their interest in the event and have ordered caftans. If the gathering is a success, West may plan another Roper Romp next year or change the theme.
“I have no idea if it will be five of us or fifty of us,” West said.
“It will just be a bunch of Mrs. Ropers running around Bethel for a little while on a Sunday afternoon,” she added.
