Previewing Tyler Perry’s Atlanta-bound play
If you’re planning to see Tyler Perry’s new play when it comes to Atlanta in April, you need to be on time.
Be. On. Time.
“Sit the hell down!” Perry barked at late arrivals Tuesday night, breaking from character seconds after his entrance during the play’s stop in Macon. “Seven o’clock is seven o’clock, people! People have spent their hard-earned money to be here, and you can’t be on time.”
He was just getting started.
“Front and center. That tells me you got your ticket early, but you’re late getting here!” he bellowed at some poor unfortunate soul with cursedly good seats, pulling the prop gun from Madea’s handbag for emphasis. In a final swipe at tardiness he singled out a man who had the double bad luck to be both late and bald.
“Your head is shining like aluminum foil,” Perry shouted. “Sit the hell down!”
Moments later he tossed a box of tissues to an usher and directed that they be passed to a couple of women sitting a few rows from the stage.
“Take the gum out of your mouth,” he instructed. “You and your momma. I know that’s your momma cause y’all look alike. That’s just rude. I can’t remember the lines as it is and y’all are sitting there popping gum. And I want my tissues back!”
So began the first Georgia tour stop for “Madea’s Big Happy Family,” Perry’s first play in five years.
Written as a tribute to his late mother, the plot is simple, without a drop of subtlety. That leaves plenty of room for lots of Perry improv, to the delight of fans who have been waiting years to see him live.
The play begins as family matriarch Shirley, played by Chandra Currelley, learns the cancer she’s been fighting has become more aggressive, leaving her only a matter of weeks. With the help of Madea and sassy Aunt Bam, played by Cassi Davis, Shirley assembles her family, from dutiful daughter Joyce, played by Cheryl “Pepsii” Riley to the sticky fingered Uncle Monroe, played by Palmer Williams Jr.
A devout Christian, Shirley wants them all together so she can say goodbye on a strong note of faith but first, of course, everyone must work out their drama. The action is interspersed with powerful vocal performances and the second act meanders into a medley of old-school R&B songs.
The after-funeral scene is where Perry/Madea really gets revved up, dispensing advice on love, forgiveness and responsibility. It’s hard to detect how much is scripted. Reviews following performances in other cities suggest the show is never quite the same two nights in a row, and that Perry seems to be workshopping and performing at the same time. The seemingly spontaneous “Pants on the Ground” riff that turned up during Tuesday night’s sold-out performance at the Macon Coliseum got a mention in the Raleigh News & Observer following the play’s stop there earlier this month, for example.
“Since I’m ad-libbing,” Perry said at one point, and then launched into a mini-sermon on how people should deal with the aftermath of taking out interest-only mortgages and then suffering when the economy tanked, which he’s done elsewhere, too.
“You’ve been worrying, going to church praying about it,” Perry said. “God has sent me here with your answer: Move!”
Perry’s representatives say he has not given interviews since the December passing of his mother, Willie Maxine Perry, but more than half of Tuesday’s three-hour performance felt like a direct dialogue with the audience. At the end of the show he came onstage in a black suit and spoke for several minutes about dealing with her death, the power of faith and the importance of philanthropy. He has announced a $1 million pledge to Haiti and said he’ll travel there personally once media attention wanes. He’s accepting fans’ donations through his Web site as well.
“If you want to make your dreams come true, make someone else’s dream come true,” he said. “There is one thing you never get punished for. Giving.”
Madea’s Big Happy Family
8 p.m. April 15 and 16, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. April 17 and 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. April 18 at the Fox Theatre. (Be on time!)
Tickets from $41.55 to $142.75
accessAtlanta Partner Sites
Sections
Advertise on accessAtlanta.com »
Reach the audience you want by advertising on accessAtlanta.com
Join the Access Atlanta Network »
Advertisers and Publishers, expand your reach by joining the Access Atlanta Network.
Tell us what you think about the site
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement | About our ads
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
67 comments Add your comment
Wait......
February 11th, 2010
9:24 am
Why all the animosity for those with a differing opinion? It’s amazing those who chose to invoke god’s name and ideals in this discussion also hurled insults and threats. Is this how your god wants it? That being the case, maybe you can see why I have no respect for your god.
Arealblkwmn
February 11th, 2010
8:17 pm
Lots of us are suffering from Tyler Perry OVERLOAD, his movies all have the same plot,there is ALWAYS a wedding at the end, no matter how unlikely the bride and groom are to be matched in REAL life. I make a really good salary but I would NEVER pay 142.00 to see ANYONE, let alone a character that has been done to DEATH!!
Mo Louis
February 11th, 2010
8:48 pm
It is interesting that people like Tyler Perry, Oprah Winfrey and others seem to always come up with these obese characters who are down on their luck. I have Black friends who are absolutely sick and tired of these type characters. I have never seen Madera but after looking at the photo of her I understand my friends concern. It is a valid one and these characters need to go away. I don’t understand why some Blacks support these shows.
Mj
February 12th, 2010
2:15 am
I would like to say this. THis is the vision of Mr. Perry. ANd though you all may not like the play you should focus on the number of Jobs he has given people. Actors and actresses who would not get a Hollywood break for one reason or another. In addition the the fact that he is a charitable man. I hate when we get so political tht we can’t see tht heis an entertainer just like all the others and his craft is his craft. Look at it like this you may cook cakes well, ther are millions who think there cake isthe best but somthing about yours has to stand out to take you to the top. ANd more then anything you have to be given a chance. So before you downplay what another mans dream is think of if it was your dream being derated. Final note there are people like the characters all over the world and so many who can directly identify with Madea. Don’t let your edication status in life or conservative views disable you ! The plays are for thos who are interested if not shut up and go do the things tht interest you. and don’t waste your time hating. At the end of the day the effort you put into spitting hatred and negativity could be used to pray for the world or giving instead of judgeing. These are my opinions, and it is what it is. And just in case you decide to disect my grammer on this note its just another example of how you need to really get over yourself and get to the route of your unhappiness ! Tyler keep doing you and when I see you around town as I often do keep that good spirit but slow down to driving all fast is not good ! (lol)
Signed
Happy with me and growing daily !
Mj
February 12th, 2010
2:22 am
Note to Arealblkwoman how are you on TP overload are you being forced to watch his movis and shows? ( Just asking sistah) reason is 85% of black business fail because BLACKPEOPLE don’t support them I.E. Think like this prices are higher for things like this because we don’t support. Therefore inorder to breakeven in most cases we have higher prices. Im not just referreing to TP overall I mean. Get into your culture and stop letting others dictate to you how life is . There are people who live this life. I am from a line of professional people but trust mewhen we get together we don’t discuss how many degrees we all have. Keep it real sister ! you have a Madea in your family as well ……
Rosalind
February 12th, 2010
2:53 am
@ Tee – Thank you for clarifying that Tyler was in character. Unfortunately, the article didn’t make that clear, and while I had hoped that was the case, I wasn’t going to assume. Yes, something like that is expected of Madea (just as long as it isn’t taken too far). But, as far as getting a kick out of being singled out to be chastised, I can’t even imagine that. I’d be embarrassed to the point of mortification, and have to leave (probably in tears), because the whole experience would be ruined for me. Not everyone wants or likes to have all eyes on them, even for a couple of minutes.
Kimy
February 12th, 2010
5:15 am
I feel he was right to call them out. I was one of those people who came early but had to move my feet to let them to their seats.Eveything he said needed to be said. I thought it but could not say it. Thanks Tyler you could have not said it better. I enjoyed the play in Macon please come to see us again and I will continue to be on time.
NetteinATL
February 12th, 2010
9:14 am
First of all, Tyler Perry is an extremely blessed and talented young man. His plays, television broadcasts, and movies are all a direct result of the blessing that God placed in his life because he had trust, belief, and faith in himself, as well as the tenacity to work extra hard to reach his goals—-when we ALL know that Hollywood would not have supported him or his ideas. Thanks for your comments “MJ”, Mr. Perry’s work may not suit all, but there are a multitude of us who love and support him faithfully. His company has employed persons who NEVER will make it in Hollywood, and it is not because they lack talent or beauty. If not for Tyler Perry, a lot of families would be hungry–so let’s focus on what is real. Personally, I adore Madea. I think she is hilarious and her character is a timeless comedy. It was television like the Flip Wilson show that allowed the world to see that we, as blacks, are a diverse and naturally creative people. So many other great talents (like Martin Lawrence) also created that type of character to bring flavor to their work. “Real” black people can relate to her (Madea and like characters) and appreciate her. However “Arealblkwmn” is obviously single based on her comments and is likely suffering from the “I’m-over-30/40-and-not-married-yet-syndrome”, so you are not really “real”. I hope you don’t have an opportunity to express your talent on a worldwide stage “Ms. Real” and have to endure negative and unjust “overloaded” comments and hear how they’d NEVER pay a particular dollar amount to see you———-but you’re probably not talented anyway so that thought can be fairly and sufficiently be dismissed. Keep up the wonderful work Tyler and keep these wonderful men and women blessed with employment. Those of us that are willing to buy your merchandise, support your plays, and show up to the movie theatre on opening nights know the importance of it all. Continue to be blessed!
Tena
February 12th, 2010
5:09 pm
You go Tyler, all the people who are hating on you wish they had half the brains you have, and not to mention the money. Tyler Perry is a working man that put others to work. What you haters need to complain about are these sorry, good for nothing, no working, robbing people, black men. When one black man does well, and all you can do is complain.
Get a life!!!
Crystal
February 12th, 2010
5:15 pm
Thank you Tyler. I theaters would publish a list of rules or etiquette on the programs. When I was younger, the Cleveland Play House would shut the doors when you arrived late, and re-open during a scene change or intermission. Here in Georgia, they don’t care. People show up in blue jeans, popping gum, and talking on their cell phones. I don’t even go anymore, because I get so annoyed.
Shirley Q Liquor
February 13th, 2010
3:00 pm
Why is it that when I dressed up in drag to play a black older “mama”, I was attacked by the “leaders” of the black community for being racist. Now TP comes along, steals my act, and peoples can’t get enough of him! Whats up with that?? Anyways, to folks that want to see the original follow this link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_3iAJ-wkuM&feature=PlayList&p=ACC5E8275DC481D7&index=33&playnext=2&playnext_from=PL
Tyler Perry
February 13th, 2010
3:19 pm
Tyler’s Number 1 Fan – reading your post gave me the shivers. It read like the Taliban wrote it.
Will Curry
February 13th, 2010
3:28 pm
Shirley,
If you have to ask those questions, then perhaps you need to rethink your motivation for performing in the first place. You should know that if you as a white man endeavors to put on a dress and perform in black face what the consequences would be. My thoughts were that you were being irreverent(which is a good thing) and as a result making a comment that race is ultimately a non-issue. However, by asking THAT question THAT way demonstrates to me as a black man that you have little to no understanding regarding the full aspects of race in this country. It appears that I had it backwards. Those people that attacked you get it. You, on the other hand, apparently don’t.
Tyler Perry
February 13th, 2010
3:54 pm
Will – perhaps you are right and I just don’t get it. What I get is that when race is an issue that race will always be an issue. Will TP stop playing this character if women protest that he can’t play a woman since he isn’t one? Race is only an issue for those that think about race, or who want to take advantage of another by playing the race card.
I guess Chappell needs to stop playing white characters, too! I’d hate for that to happen as those sketches are too damn funny. But hey, we can’t have it both ways now can we?
Macondifference
February 22nd, 2010
8:14 pm
I was there… OMG! He was on point.
Rasha Entertainment » Tyler Perry Scold Latecomers During Play
February 26th, 2010
5:30 am
[...] VIA: AccessAtlanta [...]
karen abbattiello
April 8th, 2010
7:09 pm
My mom and i wwent to your play last night in cinti ohio we thought the play was great and the music was outstanding. We have seen all of your movies we are going to see why did we get married too this coming week we are really looking forward to seeing it keep up the great work you do. WE LOVE YOU SO VERY MUCH
KAREN AND MOM