A Party with Pizzazz!

Fortunately or unfortunately, it's a rite of passage most females go through at some point in our lives - and one we do so begrudgingly.  No, we're not talking about hormonal changes or the like, but instead, we're talking about Tupperware parties.  That's right – Tupperware.  These "parties" always start out seeming like a good idea when we first accept the invite until the actual day of the party hits.  That's when we realize that we've somehow agreed to give up four hours of our evening or afternoon to attend a "party" where irreverent objects billed as the "best stuff to have in our kitchens" are practically shoved down our throats.  If we can walk out of one of these without spending $50, we consider ourselves a success.  And this sales model doesn't stop at Tupperware; new breeds of this beast are cropping up all the time – Candlelight parties, Pampered Chef parties – they're all a slice of female evolution that has yet to fade out.  And then there's Dixie, the Tupperware sales woman from Alabama who's throwing New York City a party so she can claim her stake as the #1 saleswoman in the country. 

Dixie's Tupperware Party, playing at the Ars Nova now through June 17, offers a new spin on theater, even Off-Broadway theater.  It has a Tina N' Tony's Wedding feeling since the audiences becomes very involved in the show and offers the same kind of over the top quirkiness which results in belly-aching laughs.  It's a pure theatrical sales pitch and it's a hoot!

Dixie Longate, the hostess of the evening, is a fast-talking sales woman from Mobile, Alabama who visits New York City to throw a "good ol' fashioned" Tupperware party filled with outrageous tales, giveaways and a table full of Tupperware.  The storyline woven throughout the party is that while Dixie was on her way to becoming #1 in sales in the country, she unexpectedly landed in the #2 spot, usurped by a sales rep who only sold via the Internet.  This unexpected twist of fate has Dixie doubting her sales capability until the ghost of Brownie Weiss, the first lady of Tupperware, encourages Dixie to move forward with her dream to take the title of #1 in sales.  It is with this new found faith that she begins to dazzle New York City with her products and her one of a kind selling skills.

And dazzle she does.  Dixie is a memorable character to say the least.  She's a cross between every family's token "crazy aunt" and the female version of Jeff Foxworthy.  She does her best to prepare the audience for the party – she cordially interacts with the crowd before the "party" officially begins, ensures that every chair has a 2007 Tupperware Summer Catalog on it and does her best to liquor up guests before the selling begins.  Her sales pitch is endearing and her enthusiasm contagious.  She lovingly refers to her potential buyers as "hookers" and addresses any homosexuals in the crowd as "mo's."  She presents herself as a southern belle, but has no problem throwing that image off-kilter with sexual innuendoes, off-colored jokes and plenty of "f-bombs" throughout the show.  She holds onto old-school values by embracing the power of human connection and believes actual parties with other people are more fun then the solitary experience of buying online.  She offers a very Price Is Right modeling vibe as she presents the products accompanied by Napoleon Dynamite-like background music.  She's hysterical to listen to, coaxes people out of their shell without effort and is an absolute mess – yet somehow this all works. 

The production of Dixie's Tupperware Party shines from start to finish.  The solo performance of Dixie is outstanding - the actor's name is not revealed in the program or press materials to add to the illusion of audiences truly attending a party rather than a show.  In addition to her exceptional interaction with the audience, she also conducts a ten minute Q&A session were her improv skills are displayed.  She impressively interprets any question through her perspective and offers a somewhat biting, crude and funny answer that wins applause and laughter from the crowd every time.  The set design includes great use of Tupperware which showcases the products' various geometric patterns and colors as a background, underscoring the overall quirky theme.  The use of technology in the show is another unique production element.  A film screen of sorts flashes images of the different products Dixie is selling accompanied with the product number and a melodically appropriate "ding" as she reveals the new product to the guests.  When the ghost of Brownie Weiss speaks to Dixie, no typical Halloween images are used.  Instead, a silk screened portrait of Brownie which adorns the wall literally speaks to Dixie, borrowing from the famous Conan O'Brien skits, to have Brownie's lips move as she speaks encouraging words to Dixie. 

Dixie's Tupperware Party is silly and fun, sprinkled with just the right amount of adult humor.  The entire production is meticulously thought out in every way to make a ticket to a show seem more like an actual invite to a real Tupperware party.  With plenty of audience interaction, Dixie's Tupperware Party is more like an event that you want to take your friends to and let loose. There's no complicated storyline nor dramatic interpretations the audience is required to make.  No, Dixie's Tupperware Party is quite the opposite.  The production is genius because of its simplicity and even more intelligent since it somehow manages to re-establish Tupperware parties as fun.  With Dixie as your host, there's no way it could be otherwise. 

Dixie's Tupperware Party is playing at the Ars Nova Thursdays through Sundays until June 17.  For ticket information, please call 212-868-4444 or visit www.SmartTix.com.

Photo of Kris Andersson as Dixie Longate by Carol Rosegg

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