By Bill Sokolic
Does Helen Roper trigger a memory?
Didn’t think so.
How about Audra Lindley? Ring a bell?
Not a chance huh?
You’re probably not alone.
Mention “Three’s Company” and that might jog your brain cells a bit, maybe enough to know the name Helen Roper if not Audra Lindley, the actress who played the caftan robed character on the show.
The point of this quickie quiz on a relatively minor late 70s sitcom character is that Helen Roper has become the subject of a bar crawl. The Roper Romp rolls into Atlantic City on Aug. 3, visiting several places along the Boardwalk, with more than a few participants donning caftan and curly-frizzy hair (or a wig to capture Mrs. Roper’s style.)
If you’re scratching your head over an event named after Helen, we don’t blame you. But ever since it debuted in New Orleans in 2013, the Roper Romp has done its own slow crawl beyond the Big Easy.
“After having attended one in another location, I felt like this would be so fabulous for Atlantic City,” says Connie Bragg, event producer. “I pitched the concept and got a couple crazy looks that turned to ‘okays’ and it built from there. It was so well received by the venues, I hated having to say, ‘sorry, we’re booked up’ to other venues wanting to be a part of the AC Boardwalk Mrs. Roper Romp. Our venues have been beyond exceptional partners.”
The romp begins at 2 p.m. the Patio Bar at Hooters in the Tropicana. Buy Helen’s Hooch Margaritas for $10. Come 3:15 move onto Firewater’s Saloon at the Trop for another $10 drink special and an “Oh Stanley” contest. Stanley was Helen’s husband in the show, played by Philadelphia native and Temple University grad.
Do the Regal Beagle Boardwalk Strut to Bally’s at 4 p.m. for a stop at either Bally’s Beach Bar for a $5 cover and music or The Yards, with no cover and games.
Go to Boardwalk Hall at 5 p.m. for the Miss America Best Dressed Helen crowning. Stroll on over to the Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall beginning at 5:15 for food and drink specials and 70s and 80s music.
Close out the night back the Tropicana at 9 p.m. for an encore celebration at Boogie Nights with the fourth group photo of the day. And more 70s and 80s tunes. It is Boogie Nights after all. Free admission to those in costume. If you’re still there at midnight, take part in the Roper Romp Off Contest.
“The Mrs. Roper Romp and Boogie Nights are a match made in retro heaven,” said David Pena, owner and creator of Boogie Nights dance club. “At Boogie Nights we strive to create an atmosphere that is campy, nostalgic and encourages over-the-top costumes and kitschy fun. The Mrs. Roper Romp is the perfect example of the type of entertainment and camaraderie that we embrace here at Boogie Nights. Connie’s vision for this Mrs. Roper Romp on the boardwalk is a reminder of what makes Atlantic City so unique. We can’t wait to be the official encore celebration for this iconic event.”
Says Bragg: “We were so lucky that Boogie Nights was interested in participating-such a great fit.”
Bragg credits the impact Helen had on the generation that grew up then. GenX’ers, who connect to “Three’s Company” as a connection to their childhood.
“They are now mostly around the age of Helen’s character in the sitcom,” Bragg said. “This event pays homage to Helen and other characters from the show that were such a major influence on the generation. Though her character was depicted as sometimes ditzy and known for her attire, she was fun, energetic, loving, and accepting of people’s differences as encountered on the show. She provided an example of how to be graceful while fun in sometimes uncomfortable situations.”
Lest we forget, Helen and Stanley got their own spinoff – “The Ropers” – which ran for more than a year.
“Helen’s character was the epitome of a classic housewife, in a stereotypical role for women. Yet, she was a care-free, confident, independent force and provided an example of the expanding possibilities for not only women, but mainstream thinking during a changing time in our country. I think we all have a little Helen in us who’s a little bit silly, is fun to be around with and over what people think of appearances who advocates for everyone to be treated equally so we can all have fun,” she says.
In addition to Atlantic City and New Orleans, the Roper Romps have taken place in North Jersey, Indiana, and Rhode Island, among more than 100 locations this summer alone.
Photos courtesy of Janine Suggs of the Northern New Jersey Roper Romp.
