December 18, 1997

When you think of a fashion show what naturally comes to mind? Flashing lights, high price outfits and tall lanky models? PaPow Productions has taken that idea and turned it on its proverbial ear. PaPow was first conceived two years ago when John DiDonna and Jodi Thomas meet at a party at Theatre Downtown. From this meeting PaPow has constantly grown and changed into what is part fashion, part theater and part freak show. With seven shows under their belts and a growing audience, they push the limits of what you might expect at a "fashion show". Where a standard fashion show might last twenty minutes or so, it is not uncommon for a PaPow show to last an hour or two and have a plot line and lots of nipple tape, stimulating both the audience's minds and emotions for an evening of spectacle and fashion.

John and Jodi both cast and train the models to meet the PaPow image. They look for a bitchiness, cooler-than-you demeanor, strength, and fuck it attitude. Jodi once received flack for a PaPow model not looking like a standard model. Her response to this was, "It's for everyday people - however outrageous they want to be, whatever quirks they have - but it's for anybody, and anybody who wants to do it, can do it. John added, "It's in the mind, not the body." And the only thing they will turn someone away for at auditions is a bad attitude.

Are they concerned about how the public may react to some of their shows? According to Jodi, "If you don't like what we're doing, fine, don't come. If you like it, fine we like to have you. We just want people to enjoy it. We don't mind offending people, but we don't set out to do that. We are just exploring - it's very sexual, but it's not real sex, it's not even supposed to be. When it goes too far, we pull it back...to keep the balance. We just want to keep pushing and pushing to new areas. If some criticism is vaulted, we'll take it."

Both Jodi and John write, direct, produce - they've done shows from cat walks to full theatrical presentations. With spring and fall shows already in the works, and a show at the Firestone planned for January, PaPow has grown to the point of having to preplan most shows far in advance to meet a growing demand. If you have some free time in January, I recommend you take the time out and see what this group of model, designers and directors are doing.

Eric Von Stephan is an engineer aspiring eventually to make a living pursuing his real love, drama. He makes a mean gumbo, and he works as a director and more at Theatre Downtown. Other Articles I've Written