When a Langley resident and her sister began writing a poetry book about a large pair of colored undergarments more than three years ago, they had no idea it would turn into a national phenomenon.

But an enthusiastic response by a multi-million member group of women called “The Red Hat Society” sent the sisters rolling on a 38-state comedic tour of the nation.

Now Suzanne Kelman is bringing her show back home, and she’s donating the profits to Whidbey Children’s Theater.

Added bonuses to the show include a silent auction featuring spa-related items, catering from The Casual Gourmet, a flowing chocolate fountain, strawberries and sparkling beverages.

Most of the comedy Kelman will be performing is based on the book she and her sister wrote called “Big Purple Undies.”

“We took all of the funny stories we knew about our lives, and about other people’s lives, and we put them into a poetry book,” Kelman said.

The real-life situations are sometimes awkward, but always one-of-kind.

One story is about a newly-divorced single woman who goes out onto the dance floor, and her dance partner accidently sends the woman’s dentures flying out of her mouth.

Another story is about a woman who wears a hormone patch to bed.

“In the middle of the night it comes off and sticks to her husband’s bottom, and he goes to work with it on,” Kelman said. “True story.”

The title “Big Purple Undies” is sparked by the story of a woman who wanted a man.

She came up with a plan that involved going out and buying a large pair of men’s purple underwear.

“She set them on the end of her bed and prayed that God would fill them with a man,” Kelman said. “And she ended up meeting a man.”

Now that the Whidbey Island woman has more than 200 comedy shows under her belt, she has added stories to her routine about the women she’s met while touring the country.

Kelman presents her comedy with side-splitting monologues, song, dance and audience participation.

“And we fire underpants into the audience,” she said. “People better come with a crash helmet or a big basket to catch them.”

Men are invited to come to the show, but better be ready to stand out in the crowd or become part of the routine.

“I don’t have any control about what happens to them once they get here,” Kelman said.

Kelman’s biggest fans are “Red Hat” ladies, a group of women with a mission to go out and have fun together.

The group’s founder is Sue Ellen Cooper. She was inspired by a poem called “Warning” by Jenny Joseph, which depicts an older woman in purple clothing with a red hat.

“She decided that they weren’t going to grow old gracefully, they were going to grow old ungracefully,” Kelman said. “And they were going to wear red hats and purple outfits and go out and have fun.”

One red hat lady found the book “Big Purple Undies” and related it the group’s fondness of purple clothing. She enjoyed it tremendously, and shared it with all of her friends.

“It was because we had purple, and they love purple, and the next thing we knew we were all over the place,” Kelman said. “If it had been called ‘Big Orange Undies’ we may not have had the following that we have.”

Kelman said that all women, Red Hat Society members or not, should enjoy the show.

“The most important thing is that they laugh,” Kelman said.

The comedian said that although she is not out to save the world, her show definitely has value.

Just two weeks ago, after a show in a Canada, a lady told Kelman that she had lost her husband a year before, and that she had laughed for the first time since, during Kelman’s show.

“That’s why I love doing what I do,” Kelman said. “I think if somebody has been through a hard time and they really just need to get out and laugh, it is the best medicine.”

Plus, Kelman said she thinks it’s really cool to do something just for women.

“We are so busy,” she said.

The show gives women a chance to go out, have fun and have a good laugh.

“They just love it,” Kelman said.

A silent auction is being coupled with the “Big Purple Undies” comedy show.

Whidbey Children’s Theater board member Mary Knight is one of the auction’s organizers.

“The silent auction is going to be amazing because we have generous donations from many different businesses on the island,” Knight said.

Many of the items are spa-related. They include massages, pedicures, facials and an entire year’s membership to “Curves,” a women’s fitness club. Other items include handmade soaps, a spa day for two and hand-blown vases and glassware.

“It’s amazing to me how generous people have been,” Knight said.

The organizers said this event is great for a girls’ night out and is a cool mother-daughter occasion.

“Leave the sensible shoes — the sensible life — at home and come and have fun,” Kelman said. “It’s going to be a riot.”