There will be more than “Three’s Company” at Whittier’s first Roper Romp this Saturday, July 11. More than 100 people have responded to the invite, instigated by Donna Walsh, Rosalinda Montalvo, and Delia Noriega, of Whittier.
“Several years ago, I saw a TV spot on a ‘Roper Romp’ pub crawl in San Diego with hundreds of women dressed as Mrs. Roper from ‘Three’s Company,’ in red curly wigs, chunky jewelry, and brightly colored caftans,” Walsh said. “I thought it was hilarious.”
Walsh joined the Facebook group “The International Order of Mrs. Ropers’ but hasn’t been able to attend a romp yet.
“I bought a muumuu and bright jewelry to march with the L.A. chapter in last year’s Pasadena Doo-Dah parade, but it was cancelled. I decided that the best way to make it to a Roper Romp was to organize one in my hometown,” she said.
The inaugural event honoring Helen Roper, the wise-cracking landlady played by the late actress Audra Lindley on the show, will be a pub crawl to benefit the Women and Children’s Crisis Center in Whittier.
All those up for a bit of whimsy, and 1970s fun, can gather at 4 p.m. at Sage and work their oversized sunglasses and caftans down Greenleaf Avenue in Uptown Whittier.
Walsh connected with two other local “Helens,” Rosalinda Montalvo and Delia Noriega, to organize the lighthearted fundraiser.
Men are welcome to show up as Helen’s long-suffering husband Stanley (“Oh, Stanley!”) or the “bachelor at large” Mr. Furley, played by Don Knotts. Of course, all the Jacks, Chrissys, Janets and Larrys are welcome, too.
“We hope the day will be a success and bring some traffic to the uptown businesses,” Walsh said.
“Three’s Company” originally ran from 1977 to 1984 and starred John Ritter, Suzanne Somers, and Joyce DeWitt. Younger viewers are getting to know them and the secondary cast on syndication, including Helen Roper, her husband Stanley, and Mr. Furley, who replaced them as landlords in later seasons.
The crawl schedule includes stops from 4 to 6 p.m. ay Sage, 6511 Greenleaf Ave,; 6 to 11:45 p.m. at Whittier Brewing Co., 13002 Philadelphia St.; and 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Flashbackz Lounge and Grill, 7013 Greenleaf Ave.
Providence Bakehouse Bistro inside Whittier Brewing Co. is offering a 15% discount to folks dressed in “Three’s Company” attire.
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/866975326467566/