It’s gonna be one Helen of a night.
Hundreds of impeccably dressed Helen Ropers are bar hopping across the metro area this month as part of a sentimental, nationwide tribute to the beloved “Three’s Company” sit-com character.
You can’t miss them: each of the boozed-up revelers will be wearing colorful caftans, gaudy jewelry and curly red wigs in imitation of the eccentric landlady made famous by actress Audra Lindley in the 1970s and 80s comedy.
“There’s good energy, good vibes, and just joy of being together and celebrating something so nostalgic,” Angela White, 56, who’s bringing the party to White Plains this Saturday, told The Post.
White expects as many as 100 people to show up for the second-annual Mrs. Roper Romp in White Plains, which not-so-coincidentally comes four days after the famed actress’s birthday.
The party is just one of hundreds that have popped up across the country as part of a decade-long phenomenon that honors Helen Roper, the iconic landlady known for bugging her tenants and wearing outrageous outfits who graced television screens from 1977 to 1984.
The romps have exploded in recent years, but originated in the gay community — the original Mrs. Roper Romp can be pinpointed to New Orleans’ 2013 celebration known as Southern Decadence, which saw dozens of Helens march in the parade.
Now, the trend typically comes in the form of a pub crawl, but the party is nothing like the rowdy likes of Santacon
Last year, White scrounged up about 20 Helen look-a-likes and stormed through four major bars — which had Mrs. Roper-themed drinks on the deck, played “Three’s Company” on their televisions and blared 80s music from their speakers to celebrate.
The crowd spent the day reveling in a series of “Three’s Company” games like trivia and “name that tune” and even ran a fashion show — which boiled down to a trippy, rotating door of Helen after Helen.
“We got some really funny reactions from people,” recalled White, of Elmsford.
“They just thought we were a hoot because we were in these caftans and curly red wigs and holding these face fans. We had all the faces of “Three’s Company” and were dancing around with them, people thought it was really, really funny.”
The outlandish and silly event is also an incredible show of community in White Plains — and local businesses were eager to roll out the “paisley carpet” for the group of Helens.
“Colorful caftans? An homage to an icon of the 70’s? A fun way to celebrate the free-spirited independent thinking of Mrs. Roper while supporting many of our independent hospitality businesses at the same time? Yes, please!” Jennifer Furioli, executive director of the city’s Business Improvement District, told The Post.
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“This is what downtowns should be: vibrant, fun, playful…just like Mrs. Roper…and we’re happy to play a part!
The Mrs. Roper Romps typically come in the form of bar crawls, but have expanded to include events like Paint and Sip, including one slated for Absecon, New Jersey Saturday.
Dozens of ornately dressed Helens will enjoy a meal together before picking up the paintbrush to replicate the infamous front door from “Three’s Company” — which Helen was known to blow through without invitation regularly.
The booze is optional, but the caftan is not.
“I have a lot of people that come and don’t want to drink. I have one [recovering addict] who loves these but won’t go to them because they’re in a bar. That’s what makes this one a little bit different different,” said event organizer and art teacher Vonnie Clark, 74.
“This is a really great thing. Everybody gets really into this and it’s a lot of fun.”
The event will be the third Mrs. Roper Romp Clark has participated in, including one from over the summer that drew upwards of 50 people.
White has no idea how many costumed fans to expect this weekend, but says interest has boomed as the Mrs. Roper Romps become more popular across the nation and especially on social media.
A cornerstone of the Mrs. Roper Romps across the country is inclusivity, said White — who encouraged any person regardless of age, gender or race to join the party and pay tribute to the iconic character.
“The nice thing about Roper groups across the country and even internationally, the people are just down to earth, want to have a nice time, no drama, inclusive, just fun-loving people that want to get together and honor this nostalgic time period.
I”f you come alone you don’t have to worry — you’re going to make new friends, you won’t get left behind.”
