As Black History Month draws to a close, a Black man who has made quite a bit of history himself will return to the Pittsburgh stage, after six years. And fans across Western Pennsylvania, and the tri-state area are making plans to see one of “the hardest working men in show business” —up-close and in person.
Tyler Perry—writer, producer, actor, entrepreneur, and founder of Tyler Perry Studios, brings his latest signature-brand, stage play, “Madea on the Run,” to the Benedum Center for three shows—Friday, Feb. 26 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 27 at 2 p.m., and 7 p.m.
Since March 2015, Perry and his team of actors have played to sold-out crowds across the U.S.—during limited weekend performances; and due to the number of requests received from other cities, Perry decided to extend the schedule.
The tour focuses on re-connecting with the fans who have supported his stage plays, TV shows, and movies.
“I am back out there now because I’ve…missed the audience,” Perry said, after performing at King’s Theatre, in Brooklyn, NY. “So it’s certainly not about money, at this point. It’s about going back and saying, ‘Hey, how are you? I’m still here.’”
“And, I think if a lot of other artists had done that their careers could have gone differently—had they stayed in touch. There are people who have just been amazingly talented, but they left the audience.”
Washington County resident, John Campbell, a Perry aficionada, did not hesitate to buy tickets so that he could take his mother, Karen, to the play.
“I support Mr. Perry because he is a testament to what hard work and perseverance will do,” Campbell said. “His stories have heart and soul, while incorporating life’s lessons and God’s love. He lets you know that the human spirit can survive and thrive, if your thirst is great enough, and you believe in yourself.”
City of Pittsburgh resident Kebra Weaver says she appreciates “Perry’s creative genius” and notes: “I’m excited about MADEA’s exploits and her conflict resolution strategies.” She and her husband have also bought their tickets to attend.
The stage play features Perry, who plays Mabel Simmons, a.k.a. MADEA—the 60-something, full-figured, street-smart matriarch who is hiding out from local authorities, while staying with close friend, Betty Ann Murphy, a.k.a. Aunt BAM, played by Cassi Davis, “House of Payne.” MADEA pretends to be a “Florence Nightingale” to BAM who is recovering from hip surgery. While at home with her good friend, MADEA helps BAM’s family deal with life’s problems—Perry delivering an uplifting, inspirational, positive message as only he can—mixing comedy, music, and Biblical principles.
Besides headliners Perry and Davis, the cast includes the talented Rhonda Davis, Tony Hightower, David Stewart Jr., Maurice Lauchner, LaToya London, Tasha Page-Lockhart, Claudette Ortiz, and Dorsey Levens, former NFL player.
Playing to a broad spectrum of ages and cultural backgrounds, “Tyler Perry’s Madea on the Run” presents an entertainment experience appealing to Christians and non-Christians alike “who just want to have a good time and laugh,” said Perry. “It’s fun for me. The connection I get with the audience is better than I get in film or television ‘cause I see them…from the stage. That’s my research.”
The prolific writer/producer/actor spends his weekdays creating new storylines and directing filming at the Tyler Perry Studios, located in southwest Atlanta, which Perry founded in 2006, and officially unveiled in 2008, as a 200,000 square foot studio.
Expanding over 60 acres, the development houses five sound stages dedicated to Black actors who have influenced Perry’s career, a post-production area, back lot named 34th Street, private screening room, 400-seat theater, commissary, chapel, gymnasium, and designated spaces for hosting events.
Currently, Perry is writing and directing the overwhelmingly successful drama: “The Haves and the Have Nots,” a weekly TV series aired on the Oprah Winfrey Network, OWN launched in 2011, while working on his latest movie: “Boo! A Madea Halloween”—set for October 2016 release and to be distributed by Lionsgate.
Besides “The Haves and the Have Nots,” Perry has helped bolster OWN’s ratings with other original productions, including: “If Loving You is Wrong,” “Love Thy Neighbor,” and “For Better or For Worse.”
“I saw a lot of what (Oprah) was dealing with, and I knew that I could help her and…would have time to build more of my brand, if I didn’t do it right away,” Perry said. “So, this was…a push…to…help her and to bring whatever I could to (OWN)—and allow it to be all that it’s become.”
Last fall, the 46 year-old entrepreneur announced he had recently purchased the historic, Fort McPherson U.S. Army Base, which closed in 2011, for the future home of the Tyler Perry Studios. The new site includes 330 acres not far from the present studios.
“I am so excited about it because of the number of jobs it’s going to bring, number one, and number two, that a network has to be a part of that,” Perry said. “So, as far as career goals, right now, this studio is the next five years. My utter focus (is) to get it from where it is now to (become) a major player, and taking from that, then we’ll go into the network.”
Perry has also set aside time to work on a new book entitled: “Higher is Waiting.”
His first book, “Don’t Make a Black Woman Take Off Her Earrings: Madea’s Uninhibited Commentaries on Life and Love,” was published in 2006 and made the New York Times Best Seller list.
The new book “is about inspiration and…the things that have happened in life. It’s a little bit of business; a little bit of soul-searching; a little bit of family,” Perry said. “It’s a little bit of everything—kind of like a soup of all different things that can help lift and encourage you.”
If you ask any one of his fans, it sounds a lot like what draws them to Perry—a man whose “rags to riches” story has enabled him to write, produce, and act in a way that encourages and uplifts millions – with a touch of humor.
(Tickets for “Tyler Perry’s Madea on the Run” are available at the Theater Square Box Office; Dorsey’s Records, 7614 Frankstown Ave., or 412-731-6607; or group sales: 412-242-4167. Online purchases: www.trustarts.org. Charge by phone: 412-456-6666. Ticket prices may vary by performance and seating location, ranging from $46.25 to $71.25, plus applicable service charges.)
(Editor’s Note: Part of this article is based upon an interview with Tyler Perry conducted by WBLS-NYC Media Personality, on Jan. 8).
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