BWW Reviews: DIXIE'S TUPPERWARE PARTY is Sensationally Hilarious and Heartwarming

The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts has two stages, but most people are only familiar with Sarofim Hall. Nestled on the corner of Rusk and Bagby is the gorgeous and intimate Zilkha Hall, which seats 500. The space was originally planned as a black box theater, and Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) current Artistic Director, Bruce Lumpkin, has great plans for TUTS to utilize the space as such. For TUTS' first venture at Zilkha Hall, the company is presenting the hilarious and heartwarming Off-Broadway sensation DIXIE'S TUPPERWARE PARTY.

DIXIE'S TUPPERWARE PARTY introduces audiences to America's #1 Personal Seller of Tupperware, Dixie Longate who is a fast-talking social butterfly from Mobile, Alabama. The uproarious one-act play is written by Los Angeles-based writer Kris Andersson and features sincerely uplifting moments in addition to being hysterical. Dixie Longate's personality is truly unforgettable, but the empowering messages Kris Andersson has her layer into the party and show are what makes this a remarkable and enriching evening of theatre.

Direction by Patrick Richwood pristinely blends invigorating comedy with genuinely heartfelt emotionality, ensuring that Dixie Longate and her Tupperware party will be forever emblazoned on the audiences' hearts. Additionally, Patrick Richwood keeps Dixie Longate in motion the entire production. She moves around the stage and the through the audience, explaining both the traditional and her creative uses for Tupperware's products.

Starring as herself, Dixie Longate does what she does best. She wondrously charms the audience with her infectious personality, fascinating and sharp wit, riotously funny facial expressions, and sensational and sometimes off-color brand of humor. Her zany personality fills the entire auditorium, leaving the audience mesmerized and spellbound for the whole performance. Moreover, Dixie Longate excels as a spectacularly deft comedienne. Whether landing astonishingly clever puns or adroitly playing with words, Dixie Longate earns innumerable hearty guffaws and peals of laughter as she pitches her plastic products to the audience. In the midst of all the laughs, Dixie Longate takes a few moments to move our hearts with superbly crafted and inspirational messages of female empowerment. Additionally, she speaks to our souls with touching and immaculate explorations of everyone's self-worth and potential to do something better than good with his or her own life.

Lighting Design by Richard Winkler is simplistic and effective. He lights the stage with warm, natural lights for a majority of the show. There are a few moments when color washes of reds and blues are superbly used to enhance the mood. Likewise, he also skillfully lights the audience, ensuring that Dixie Longate can be seen by all when she interacts with the audience.

Sound Design by Christopher K. Bond is great. Every word and sound made by Dixie Longate is heard perfectly by everyone. Pre-show music selection adeptly suits the character as well, and gets the audience into the right mood for DIXIE'S TUPPERWARE PARTY.

David H. Lawrence's Hair Design is tremendous. Dixie Longate's red locks are full of enviable body and magnificently curled.

The Projection Design is incredible too. It is simplistic in nature, being projected on a hanging screen; however, it guarantees that every member of the audience can see the amusing videos used in the show.

DIXIE'S TUPPERWARE PARTY, complete with resplendent writing, phenomenal direction, and stellar acting, fully engages audiences by truly drawing every person into the party for the entire performance. Then, it sends its splendidly satiated audiences out into the world with joyful hearts and beaming smiles. And, yes, when you attend DIXIE'S TUPPERWARE PARTY you will honestly be attending a REAL Tupperware Party, so bring your cash or credit cards and be ready to place your orders.

TUTS' presentation of the truly fantastic, funny, and unforgettable DIXIE'S TUPPERWARE PARTY runs through June 16, 2013 in The Hobby Center for the Performing Art's Zilkha Hall at 800 Bagby Street, Houston. Due to mature content, the show is not recommend for patrons under the age of 16. For more information and tickets please visit http://www.tuts.com or call (713) 558 - TUTS (8887).

All photos by Bradford Rogne. Courtesy of Theatre Under the Stars.

Dixie Longate.

Dixie Longate.

Dixie Longate.

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