Dixie Longate is hosting a Tupperware party and you are invited. This 2008 Drama Desk Award nominated show is full of southern charm. Read on as Longate pops her top in an exclusive interview.
Windy City Times: Howdy, Dixie! Where are you originally from?
Dixie Longate: I grew up in Mobile, Ala. I was in prison and one of the conditions of my parole was to that I had to leave the state. I stayed in California for a while and that is where I started doing Tupperware parties. It blew up after that, who knew?
Windy City Times: Now you put on a whole show about it. Is their audience participation?
Dixie Longate: Everyone gets a nametag. Then we do a raffle and do a few games. I do call some people to help me throughout the show. I want people to get up, play and get their hands dirty. It's a party!
Windy City Times: How long is the show?
Dixie Longate: It is about 100 minutes straight through, no intermission. When I am on a roll then I don't stop.
Windy City Times: Do you have a favorite piece of Tupperware recently?
Dixie Longate: The can opener is amazing. It is like Jesus came and sat in my hand. We also have these bowls that collapse down and pop up to stick things in that I like too. I love the Jell-O shot caddy.
Windy City Times: That would be good for Gay Pride.
Dixie Longate: Pride? Hell, that's good for church! Sunday morning if you want to get through that sermon, then have a shot first.
Windy City Times: You are appearing on Halsted Street [ although it's in Lincoln Park instead of Boystown ] . I am sure you will have gay people in the audience.
Dixie Longate: You are with that homosectional newspaper aren't you? Well, they have been very good to me. Those gays travel in packs and smell so good. I hope they come to visit me at the party.
Windy City Times: Are you trying to bring this all to a younger generation? Because some people don't know what Tupperware is.
Dixie Longate: It blows my mind that people of a certain age think Tupperware is the stuff that you get in the grocery store. They don't get that it is an actual brand name. That it is sold through parties. That their moms may have made money in the past throwing these parties. I am here to make sure people know.
Tupperware started at the end of World War II, when women didn't seem to have a purpose and couldn't find a job. All of a sudden, Tupperware came along. They could make three or four dollars throwing a Tupperware party, back then that was a huge amount of money. That is a little element of the show that I can talk about. There is a huge history to it for women. For me it is a love letter. It is very nice let people look at the legacy. For kids today I want to introduce it to them.
Windy City Times: What do you think of Ziploc?
Dixie Longate: If you are going to be a whore and buy Ziploc cause you think it's cheaper, well, it only works one time then you have to buy it again. If you keep throwing it away then it is not actually less expensive. It's convenient because it's right there but it's disposable. Not only is it killing all the babies because they are putting it in a landfill but you are throwing money down the toilet.
Windy City Times: So Tupperware parties are the places to be these days?
Dixie Longate: Yes, you are going to have a good time because it is a party. Then you are going to buy stuff and keep it forever. Your grandmama and your mama still have Tupperware, don't they?
Windy City Times: Yes, they do.
Dixie Longate: It's because it lasts forever. Then you have ladies that take their Sharpie and write their name on it, "Don't you take my Jell-O bowl, you damn whore!" So people don't realize that they think they are paying for it in the long run with Ziploc.
Windy City Times: Well, it is made of thick plastic.
Dixie Longate: I know it's good. I like something that is nice and thick and not flimsy. This stuff in the grocery store is designed to be thrown away. You have a lifetime warranty with Tupperware so if anything happens to it, I will replace it for free. If your grandma has a favorite piece and it busted 60 years later,I will replace with whatever she needs.
Windy City Times: Wow!
Dixie Longate: Yes! Try doing that with your Ziploc crap!
The Southern belle will be staying at the Royal George Theatre Cabaret, 1641 N. Halsted, through May 15. For more information about how you can attend the party log onto www.dixiestupperwareparty.com or www.theroyalgeorgetheater.com .
