Some of Kyle Philippi’s friends perform while a surprised DoorDash driver looks on.Photo:Kyle Philippi
Kyle Philippi
All aboard!
In avideo posted to his TikTok, Kyle Philippi and a group of friends and family gather together to put on an over-the-top musical performance to the iconic “The Polar Express” song from the classic children’s Christmas movie of the same name.
But for Philippi, 37, and friends, this isn’t just another attempt to create a viral, trending moment — it’s a chance to perform some acts of kindness for unsuspecting DoorDash drivers.
Kyle Philippi (left) sets off a confetti cannon during one performance.Kyle Philippi
In the video, the group can be seen waiting in the front entryway of Philippi’s home as a DoorDash delivery driver approaches the door to deliver food. When she rings the doorbell, the group breaks out into a choreographed song and dance number complete with live music, costumes and DIY set pieces.
“To help someone who is a DoorDasher … was just something that would be fun, and would bless someone,” Philippi tells PEOPLE. In addition to performing for the drivers, the group also tips them $100 each.
The crew performing “Be Our Guest” from ‘Beauty and the Beast’.Kyle Philippi
Over the last year, Philippi and crew have put on 11 productions for DoorDashers — beginning on New Year’s Day of 2024 with a recreation of “The Circle of Life” fromThe Lion King. “It started a lot more low-key, but it has built and built," he says.
The process for each production is nothing short of theatrical: “We pick a song, and then about five days later, we do it,” Philippi says. The team orders costumes, builds sets — thanks to a friend, Justin, a budding set designer — and gathers their musically gifted friends to learn songs. Philippi says of his contribution to the productions: “I just bring the chaos.”
A performance of “Remember Me” from the Disney movie ‘Coco’.Kyle Philippi
Reactions from the drivers have ranged from disbelief to delight: “One guy showed up with just his top button of his shirt buttoned, and he just started dancing with us; he spilled our drinks everywhere. But we didn’t care; it was such a vibe," Philippi recalls.But his favorite reactions have been from drivers telling the group how much their support means.
“The girl from the other night was like, ‘I was just trying to make 20 bucks for Christmas plans, and now I don’t have to DoorDash the rest of the week now because you guys gave $100,’ " he says.
The same woman also made a point to come back and knock on the door to ask Philippi for his TikTok handle, a moment captured on a video camera doorbell and shown at the end of the “Polar Express” video. Other drivers have publicly recognized Philippi and approached him to thank him — weeks or months after their performance.
Kyle Philippi.Kyle Philippi
The performances have become the norm for Philippi’s friends, family — and their kids. “I mean, this year we’ve done 11 songs, so [the kids are] just like, ‘Oh, we’re having another night where we sing to a delivery driver, okay, cool.’ "
Some of Philippi’s favorite performances have included aFourth of July rendition ofBeauty and the Beast’s“Be Our Guest,”which, fittingly, featured fireworks. Philippi jokes that it had to be done over the holiday so his HOA wouldn’t “kill him.” Another favorite was a performance of “Remember Me” from the Disney movieCoco,featuring a giant foam bell that “crushed” Philippi — a nod to one of the movie’s scenes.
The group has plans to expand their productions, which are currently funded out-of-pocket. They hope to get restaurant sponsors to help them build bigger, more professional sets and be able to tip the drivers even more.
source: people.com
