RI's first 'Mrs. Roper Romp' made national news. Now Newport's will be double the size.

NEWPORT – Is it the hair? The jewelry? The caftans? The sassiness?

Whatever it is – probably a combination of all above – the 1970s and '80s television character of Helen Roper from "Three's Company" has for the last decade inspired increasing numbers of fans, old and new, to dress like her and gather for ridiculously silly, fun times. It's called Mrs. Roper Romp.

Nancy Rafi of Wickford is the Roper Romp queen of Rhode Island. She quickly organized Aug. 26's Roper Romp, in Providence, at Ogie's Trailer Park. Far from Roper-ed out, Rafi has another Romp scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 30, in Newport.

Providence Romp was a test run

With a major assist from friend Jo-Anna Cassino, Rafi tested the waters with the Providence Romp, limiting the tickets to 75 and the gathering to the one location, Ogie's.

For Round 2 on Sept. 30, she's doubled the field to 150 and has two locations for her participants to eat and drink and laugh and sing and celebrate all things Helen Roper. The host businesses are Caleb & Broad and Tavern on Broadway, located at opposite ends of Broadway. The bizarre master plan should result in a two-way stream of Helen Ropers strolling Broadway. Give that some thought.

The Providence event sold out in two days. The Newport event has also sold out. Rafi charges just $5 per ticket, with money going to charities. She will not object to properly attired party crashers, especially if they contribute to the charity jar.

“I'm flabbergasted so many people are willing to participate,” said Rafi, whose Facebook page lists her as Head Witch at RI Witches Guild.

Lulu Locks, 47, of Cranston has been friends with Rafi for about 15 years and the two have collaborated on events. Rafi does the organizing; Locks is great at the microphone. Locks attended the Providence Romp and will be dressed up and helping on Sept. 30.

“It was a gas,” Locks said of the Providence Romp. “Everyone was happy. It didn't matter if you're a guy, a girl, gay or straight. We're all there to have a good time.”

Who was Helen Roper?

Locks also happens to be a collector of caftans. She estimates her collection at 30 and said the Romp is a great chance to present her caftans “to people who appreciate it.”

The caftan-wearing Helen Roper was a supporting character on popular ABC sitcom “Three's Company.” Portrayed by the late Audra Lindley, she and husband Stanley Roper (Norman Fell) played the landlords of the Santa Monica, Calif., property where Jack Tripper (John Ritter) lived with two young women, Janet Wood (Joyce DeWitt) and Chrissy Snow (Suzanne Summers). Snow left after Season 5 and was replaced by fellow blonde Terri Alden (Priscilla Barnes).

Helen Roper could be counted to to have her curly hair teased high, to wear colorful caftan dresses and cheap jewelry (including big beads), and to never shy away from coolly firing digs at her husband. More than a few of those verbal shots went right over Stanley's head. “She was sassy,” Rafi said.

The origins of the Roper Romp

Rafi is a new player in the Mrs. Roper Romp universe. She said the Romp was started about 10 years ago in New Orleans, by a man named Bud Moore. “It was just a crazy celebration. People being silly,” Rafi, 65, said. “Forty friends dressing up like Mrs. Roper, gathering at a local watering hole.”

Now, she said, it's become a national phenomenon, with more than 100 Mrs. Roper Romps held this summer alone.

The Romp at Ogie's wound up receiving national attention. A full-page story/photo layout about it owned the Sept. 3 back page of the New York Times Arts Section. Rafi said TikTok post from the Romp featuring a gentleman dressed as Mr. Furley (the Ropers' successor as landlord, character played by Don Knotts) has garnered 10 million hits.

And, Rafi said, one of Lindley' 's granddaughter told the New York Times that her grandmother would have very much appreciated the Mrs. Roper Romp.

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What to know about the Newport Roper Romp

The Romp field in Providence was not all female and don't expect it to be so on Sept. 30. Rafi said about a third of the participants are male. “I know I'm on to something when my husband is willing to dress like Mrs. Roper,” she said.

Lisa Patterson, 47, of Bristol, is another longtime friend of Rafi. She said they met at the Rhode Island chapter of the Women's March and have been friends since.

Having missed the Providence Roper Romp due to a previous engagement, Patterson is very pumped for Newport.

“I have my caftan and wig,” she said. “I raided my mom's jewelry box. I already wear glasses. Now I just need the house shoes and I'll be set.”

She said she watched "Three's Company" in reruns and is excited about “hanging out with good people.”

The Newport Romp, Rafi said, will start with a gathering at Equality Park on Broadway at about 1 p.m. and will also include a 1970s TV trivia contest, a Most Beautiful Mrs. Ropers contest and, weather permitting, a limbo contest (T-shirt wearing beneath the caftan encouraged) in Perotti Park around 4 p.m.

“We have to celebrate the sass of Mrs. Roper.” Patterson said.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Mrs. Roper Romp costume party in Newport to celebrate TV character