Madea's Big Happy Family

Last updated
Madea's Big Happy Family
Written by Tyler Perry
Characters Madea, Aunt Bam, Shirley, Joyce, Monroe, Byron, Donnie, Kimberly, Harold, Tammy, Rose, Jason, Karen, Dr. Wallace
Date premieredJanuary 4, 2010
Place premiered El Paso
Original languageEnglish
SubjectFamily, Death
GenreComedy-Drama
Tyler Perry Plays chronology
Laugh to Keep from Crying A Madea Christmas

Madea's Big Happy Family is a 2010 American stage play created, produced, written, and directed by Tyler Perry. It stars Tyler Perry as Mabel "Madea" Simmons and Cassi Davis as Aunt Bam. The play also marks the debut appearance of Aunt Bam played by Davis. Perry began writing the show after the death of his mother Willie Maxine Perry on December 8, 2009. The main character of Shirley is based on her. The live performance released on DVD on November 23, 2010 was recorded live in Atlanta at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in July 2010.

Contents

Plot

Shirley (Chandra Currelley-Young), accompanied by Aunt Bam (Cassi Davis), visits Dr. Frank Wallace (Omarr Dixon). Dr. Wallace tells Shirley that her cancer is active and she might have 4–6 weeks left. Later, Aunt Bam tells Shirley that she invited Madea to come over and help her when she tells her children the news. The scene later switches to the house where Joyce (Cheryl Pepsii Riley) shows up and informs Shirley that she called everybody, later Aunt Bam complains about the fact that she still doesn't have a man. Soon enough, Madea (Tyler Perry) arrives, ready to help Shirley.

When Tammy (Crissy Collins) shows up, Madea informs her that she's very angry with her and her husband Harold (Danny Clay): she gave them $275 to fix her car and it didn't start. Byron (Jeffery Lewis) and his girlfriend Rose (Chontelle Moore) arrive, and Aunt Bam tells Rose she wants her $20, which Rose borrowed about a year ago. Rose says it's petty to ask for such a small amount of money back, then reveals that she dropped $900 on eyeshadow and shoes. Madea convinces Aunt Bam to chase after Rose. Kimberly (Támar Davis) arrives demanding to know why her sisters summoned her to the house, but they don't know themselves. When Donnie (Zuri Craig) comes, he tries to kiss Aunt Bam and Madea, who warns him that she got H1N1 from his last kiss. When Madea quizzes him, he says he's 17 and in the 6th grade, to which she responds that at least he's in school and his children will know he's right down the hall from their classrooms. Harold arrives and Madea repeats what she told Tammy, and now that they're both here she tells them both that if her car isn't fixed when she's ready to leave, they'll have to run like hell. Kimberly's husband, Jason (Rico Ball) rushes in to announce that Uncle Monroe (Palmer Williams Jr.) has arrived; everyone hides their stuff because he's a crack cocaine-addicted kleptomaniac. Uncle Monroe has barely stepped inside when he thinks he smells drugs in the kitchen, which makes him hurry.

Karen (Brandi Milton) stalks in demanding to see Byron, which sparks Rose's jealousy. Karen threatens Byron that if he doesn't pay her some child support, 'the popo's gon' be knockin' at yo' do'!', backed up by Aunt Bam. Madea orders Karen to leave, they're having a family moment. Byron, Karen (and her baby), and Rose leave, Kimberly demands to know why she was called, and Jason chides her for her attitude, which angers her more and she storms out. When Harold points out how Kimberly's behavior is similar to Tammy's, Tammy tells him to shut up and he turns away in shame. Uncle Monroe calls a Man Meeting in the kitchen. He talks Harold into standing up for himself, but when Tammy comes in, he pretends the men are having a Bible study.

Madea notices Byron sagging and tells him to pull up his pants. Shirley looks upset and Donnie and Byron sing her a gospel song. Meanwhile, Donnie finds out from Aunt Bam that Kimberly is his real mother. Madea leaves the house and tries to start her car, but unfortunately for Tammy and Harold, her car wouldn't start. So she gets her gun and starts chasing after Harold and Tammy.

The next day, Shirley's cancer starts taking effect and she assures Joyce that she is all right and that she knows she's close to Heaven. Joyce thanks her for giving her the life they both wanted by Shirley giving her Jesus (You Gave Me Jesus) since Aunt Bam spills that Shirley is sick. That night, Joyce gets a new makeover for the date with Frank that Aunt Bam set up. Then Frank tells her that her mother is in the hospital. Then Shirley tells all her children that she wants them to do the right thing, although she will be gone forever. Shirley dies, and her spirit goes up to Heaven ("Heaven Waits for Me") and this makes everyone sad (as they strongly cry for her loss) and scared of what will happen in their futures without her (calling out to the Lord).

When everyone comes home from the funeral, they gather in the living room. Madea gives everyone advice on what they should do. Karen stops by to express her condolences to Byron, but soon they began to argue. Frustrated, Madea tells Karen to stop worrying about Byron and Rose, stop using her baby to make Byron's life miserable, and keep moving forward. Rose tells Byron it's time to go, but Madea snatches Byron's shirt, re-seating him. When Rose tells Madea she should let her "man" grow up and be a man, Madea uses Uncle Monroe's "Yah, trick!"-choke-move on her. She follows up by lecturing them that the elderly should be treated with respect and dignity, after all, they marched for their freedom. She finally lets them leave and moves on to Harold and Tammy: Tammy shouldn't talk to Harold so harshly, but Harold needs to toughen up. Then she talks to Joyce about how God works through people's prayers. Lastly, Madea reveals that Kimberly was raped by an uncle on her father's side at 12 years old. She then tells her that she has love and needs get past the pain and show it more. Kimberly goes upstairs with Jason and sincerely apologizes for all she's done ("You Are My Man").

Madea goes "off-script" to talk about things that are happening in "the world today." Later, Madea gathers everyone and they all join in singing old songs. Finally, upstairs, Harold asks Tammy to sit down and when she doesn't comply, he yells at her. Harold then resolves the issue between their relationship with a song ("If Only For One Night").

Tour dates

Scheduled shows
DateCityVenue
January 4, 2010 El Paso UTEP Don Haskins Center
January 5, 2010 Phoenix Dodge Theatre
January 6, 2010 San Diego San Diego Sports Arena
January 9, 2010 Seattle KeyArena
January 10, 2010 Portland Veterans Memorial Coliseum
January 12, 2010 Fresno Selland Arena
January 13, 2010 Sacramento ARCO Arena
January 14, 2010 Oakland Paramount Theatre
January 15, 2010
January 16, 2010
January 19, 2010 Hollywood Kodak Theatre
January 20, 2010
January 21, 2010
January 22, 2010
January 23, 2010
January 24, 2010
January 27, 2010 New York The Theater at Madison Square Garden
January 28, 2010
January 29, 2010
January 30, 2010
January 31, 2010
February 2, 2010 Florence Florence Civic Center
February 3, 2010 Raleigh RBC Center
February 4, 2010
February 5, 2010
February 6, 2010 Fayetteville Crown Coliseum
February 7, 2010 Charlotte Bojangles Coliseum
February 9, 2010 Macon Macon Centreplex
February 10, 2010 Charleston North Charleston Coliseum
February 11, 2010
February 12, 2010 Columbia Colonial Life Arena
February 13, 2010
February 14, 2010 Columbus Columbus Civic Center
February 16, 2010 Jacksonville Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena
February 17, 2010
February 18, 2010 Chattanooga Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium
February 19, 2010 Winston-Salem Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum
February 20, 2010
February 21, 2010 Richmond Richmond Coliseum
February 23, 2010 Albany Albany Civic Center
February 24, 2010 Nashville Nashville Municipal Auditorium
February 25, 2010
February 27, 2010 Memphis Orpheum Theatre
February 28, 2010
March 2, 2010 Chicago Arie Crown Theater
March 3, 2010
March 4, 2010
March 5, 2010
March 6, 2010
March 9, 2010 Minneapolis Target Center
March 10, 2010 Omaha Qwest Center
March 11, 2010 Wichita Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center
March 12, 2010 Grand Prairie Nokia Theatre
March 13, 2010
March 14, 2010
March 16, 2010 Milwaukee U.S. Cellular Arena
March 18, 2010 Bridgeport Arena at Harbor Yard
March 19, 2010 Hartford Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts
March 20, 2010
March 21, 2010
March 24, 2010 Augusta James Brown Arena
March 25, 2010 Greenville Bi-Lo Center
March 26, 2010
March 27, 2010 Birmingham BJCC Arena
March 28, 2010 Mobile Mobile Civic Center
April 6, 2010 Dayton Ervin J. Nutter Center
April 7, 2010 Cincinnati Cintas Center
April 8, 2010 Louisville Freedom Hall
April 13, 2010 Savannah Savannah Civic Center
April 14, 2010
April 15, 2010 Atlanta The Fabulous Fox Theatre
April 16, 2010
April 17, 2010
April 18, 2010
April 20, 2010 Norfolk Constant Convention Center
April 21, 2010
April 23, 2010 St. Louis Chaifetz Arena
April 24, 2010
April 25, 2010 Kansas City Sprint Center
April 27, 2010 Buffalo HSBC Arena
April 29, 2010 Philadelphia Liacouras Center
April 30, 2010
May 1, 2010
May 2, 2010
May 4, 2010 Columbus Nationwide Arena
May 5, 2010 Toledo Lucas County Arena
May 6, 2010 Detroit Fox Theatre
May 7, 2010
May 8, 2010
May 9, 2010
July 16, 2010 Atlanta Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center
July 17, 2010
September 15, 2010 New Orleans New Orleans Arena
September 16, 2010
September 17, 2010
September 18, 2010 Houston Toyota Center
September 19, 2010
September 21, 2010 Roanoke Berglund Center
September 23, 2010 Pittsburgh Petersen Events Center
September 24, 2010 Washington, D.C. Verizon Center
September 25, 2010
September 26, 2010
September 28, 2010 Pensacola Pensacola Civic Center
September 29, 2010 Tallahassee Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center
September 30, 2010 Tampa USF Dome
October 1, 2010 Miami American Airlines Arena
October 2, 2010
October 3, 2010
October 5, 2010 Syracuse War Memorial at Oncenter
October 6, 2010 Rochester Blue Cross Arena
October 7, 2010 Bridgeport Arena at Harbor Yard
October 8, 2010 Baltimore 1st Mariner Arena
October 9, 2010
October 10, 2010
October 12, 2010 Newark Prudential Center
October 13, 2010
October 14, 2010 Uniondale Nassau Coliseum
October 15, 2010 New York The Theater at Madison Square Garden
October 16, 2010
October 17, 2010

Cancellations and rescheduled shows

DateCityVenue
October 19, 2010 Orlando Amway Center
October 20, 2010 Augusta James Brown Arena
October 21, 2010 Greensboro Greensboro Coliseum Complex
October 22, 2010 Richmond Richmond Coliseum
October 23, 2010
October 24, 2010 Norfolk Constant Convocation Center
October 26, 2010 Saginaw Dow Event Center
October 27, 2010 Dayton Nutter Center
October 28, 2010 Grand Rapids Van Andel Arena
October 29, 2010 Peoria Peoria Civic Center
October 30, 2010 Milwaukee U.S. Cellular Arena
October 31, 2010 Indianapolis Conseco Bridgehouse
November 2, 2010 Bossier City CenturyTel Center
November 3, 2010 Austin Frank Erwin Center
November 4, 2010 Baton Rouge Baton Rouge River Center
November 6, 2010 Mobile Mobile Civic Center
November 7, 2010 Jackson Mississippi Coliseum
November 9, 2010 Huntsville Von Braun Center
November 10, 2010 North Little Rock Verizon Arena
November 11, 2010
November 13, 2010 Southaven DeSoto Civic Center
November 14, 2010 Birmingham BJJC Arena
November 16, 2010 Moline iWireless Center
November 17, 2010 Fort Wayne Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
November 18, 2010 Louisville KFC Yum! Center
November 20, 2010 Detroit Joe Louis Arena
November 21, 2010 Cleveland Quicken Loans Arena
November 24, 2010 Tulsa BOK Center
November 26, 2010 Oklahoma City Ford Center
November 27, 2010 Grand Prairie Verizon Theatre
November 28, 2010

Cast

The Band

Musical Numbers

All songs written and/or produced by Tyler Perry and Elvin D. Ross.

  1. "Tonight Is the Night" – Aunt Bam
  2. "Can't Hide Love" – Madea & Company
  3. "Turn Off the Lights" – Monroe & Company
  4. "(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right" – Tammy
  5. "I'm Going Down" – Joyce
  6. "'Cause I Love You" – Byron & Company

Film adaptation

A film adaptation of the play was released on April 22, 2011.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madea</span> Fictional character created and portrayed by Tyler Perry

Mabel "Madea" Earlene Simmons is a character created and portrayed by Tyler Perry. She is portrayed as a tough, street-smart elderly African-American woman.

<i>Madeas Family Reunion</i> 2006 American film

Madea's Family Reunion is a 2006 American comedy-drama film and an adaptation of the stage production of the same name written by Tyler Perry. The film is a sequel to Diary of a Mad Black Woman. It was written, directed by, and starring Perry with the rest of the cast consisting of Blair Underwood, Lynn Whitfield, Boris Kodjoe, Henry Simmons, Lisa Arrindell, Maya Angelou, Rochelle Aytes, Jenifer Lewis, Tangi Miller, Keke Palmer, and Cicely Tyson. The film tells the story of Madea preparing for an upcoming family reunion while dealing with the dramas before and during it. It was released on February 24, 2006, nearly one year following its predecessor, Diary of a Mad Black Woman. The independent film was produced by Lionsgate.

Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All by Myself is a 1999 American stage play written, directed, and produced by and starring Tyler Perry. The play marks the first official appearance of the well-known fictional character Madea, whom Perry portrays. Although the original production was not recorded, the live performance released on DVD and VHS was recorded in Washington, D.C., at the Lincoln Theatre in August 2002.

Meet the Browns is a 2004 American stage play written, produced and directed by Tyler Perry. It stars David & Tamela Mann as Mr. Brown & Cora, as they head off to see Brown's side of the family. The play is a spin off of 2003's Madea's Class Reunion, where it's revealed at the ending that Brown is Cora's long-lost father. The live performance released on VHS and DVD on October 27, 2004 was recorded live in Cleveland at the Palace Theatre in October 2004.

Taral Hicks is an American actress and R&B singer. Hicks is best known for her acting in such films as 1993's American crime drama film A Bronx Tale and her 1997 debut R&B studio album This Time which featured a cover of Deniece Williams' "Silly" that peaked at No. 4 on Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles.

Madea Goes to Jail is a 2005 American stage play that was written, produced, and directed by Tyler Perry in 2005. It stars Tyler Perry as Mabel "Madea" Simmons and Cassi Davis as Ella Kincaid. The live performance released on DVD on June 27, 2006 was recorded live in Atlanta at the Fabulous Fox Theatre in October 2005. The DVD was released alongside Why Did I Get Married? and Madea's Family Reunion.

<i>Tyler Perrys House of Payne</i> American sitcom

Tyler Perry's House of Payne, also known as simply House of Payne, is an American sitcom television series created and produced by Tyler Perry that premiered in syndication on June 21, 2006.

Tyler Perry's Diary of a Mad Black Woman is a 2001 American stage play written, directed and produced by Tyler Perry. The production starred Tyler Perry as Daddy Charles & Madea and Marva King as Helen Simmons-McCarter. The live performance released on DVD and VHS was recorded live in Atlanta at the Atlanta Civic Center in May 2001.

<i>Madea Goes to Jail</i> 2009 parodic comedy drama directed by Tyler Perry

Madea Goes to Jail is a 2009 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Tyler Perry, which was based on his 2006 play, and starring Perry, Derek Luke, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Ion Overman, RonReaco Lee, Sofía Vergara, Vanessa Ferlito, and Viola Davis. The film tells the story of Madea going to prison for her uncontrollable anger management problems as she befriends a young incarcerated prostitute whom an assistant district attorney has known since college. The film was released on February 20, 2009. It is the fourth film in the Madea cinematic universe as it follows up from the cameo appearance of Madea in the previous film Meet the Browns and it features Cora and Mr. Brown from that film.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cassi Davis</span> American actress (born 1964)

Cassi Davis-Patton is an American actress best known for her role as Ella Payne on Tyler Perry's House of Payne and its spin-off series The Paynes. She is also known as Aunt Bam in the Madea franchise since 2010. She has starred in several other productions under the direction of Tyler Perry.

<i>I Can Do Bad All by Myself</i> (film) 2009 American film

I Can Do Bad All by Myself is a 2009 American romantic musical comedy-drama film which was released on September 11, 2009. The film was directed, produced, and written by Tyler Perry, who also makes an appearance in the film as his signature character Madea. The rest of the cast consists of Taraji P. Henson, Adam Rodriguez, Brian White, Mary J. Blige, Gladys Knight, and Marvin L. Winans. Although the film and play share the same title, the film is not an adaptation of Perry's play of the same name; the two works have different storylines as this film tells the story of an alcoholic lounge singer who is persuaded to take the custody of her niece and nephews by Madea after she catches them breaking into her house and their grandmother has gone missing. Both are named for a lyric in the Changing Faces song "G.H.E.T.T.O.U.T.". It is the fifth film in the Madea franchise.

<i>Madeas Big Happy Family</i> (film) 2011 American film

Madea's Big Happy Family is a 2011 American comedy-drama film based on Tyler Perry's 2010 play of the same name. It is the 11th film in the Tyler Perry film franchise and the sixth in the Madea cinematic universe. Tyler Perry reprised Madea and Joe, and the other cast members include Loretta Devine, Bow Wow, David Mann, Cassi Davis, Tamela Mann, Lauren London, Isaiah Mustafa, Natalie Desselle, Rodney Perry, and Shannon Kane. It tells the story of Madea finding out that her niece is dying from cancer. Madea gathers her niece's children and their family members together to deal with the news while contending with the different issues between them.

A Madea Christmas is a 2011 American stage play created, produced, written, and directed by Tyler Perry. It stars Tyler Perry as Mabel "Madea" Simmons and Cassi Davis as Aunt Bam. The play also marks the debut appearance of Hattie Mae Love, played by Patrice Lovely. The live performance released on DVD on November 22, 2011 was recorded live in Atlanta at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in May 2011. This was Perry's first production that wasn't available on tour and had only 2 premiere performances.

Aunt Bam's Place is a 2011 American stage play created, produced, written, and directed by Tyler Perry. It stars Cassi Davis as Aunt Bam and Melonie Daniels as Gloria. The live performance released on DVD on June 12, 2012 was recorded live in Atlanta at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in August 2011. This production wasn't available on tour and had only 2 premiere performances.

<i>Madeas Tough Love</i> 2015 American film

Tyler Perry's Madea's Tough Love is a 2015 American live action-animated comedy film directed by Frank Marino, written by Matt Fleckenstein produced by Tyler Perry, Matt Moore, and Ozzie Areu, and starring the voices of Perry, Cassi Davis, Rolonda Watts, Avery Kidd Waddell, Philip Anthony-Rodriguez, Georg Stanford Brown, Kevin Michael Richardson, Mari Williams, Indigo, Caitlyn Taylor Love, Maya Kay, Kate Higgins, and Bootsy Collins. The film tells the story of Madea being sentenced to community service at a youth center as she comes across a devious plot to destroy it. It was released on January 20, 2015. While the film is mainly animated and serves as Tyler Perry Studios' first live action-animated film, the beginning and ending scenes however are live-action like the other Madea films.

<i>Boo! A Madea Halloween</i> 2016 American film

Boo! A Madea Halloween is a 2016 American comedy horror film directed, written, starring and co-produced by Tyler Perry. The idea for the film originated from a fictitious Madea Halloween movie that was mentioned in Chris Rock's 2014 film Top Five. It is the eighth film in the Madea series and the second to not be adapted from a stage play as it tells the story of Madea being enlisted by her nephew Brian to watch over his daughter Tiffany as she deals with different horrors and a frat party around the corner. The film stars Perry, Cassi Davis, Patrice Lovely, Yousef Erakat, Lexy Panterra, Andre Hall, Liza Koshy, Diamond White, Brock O'Hurn, and Bella Thorne.

<i>Boo 2! A Madea Halloween</i> 2017 film by Tyler Perry

Boo 2! A Madea Halloween is a 2017 American comedy horror film written, produced, directed by and starring Tyler Perry and also starring Cassi Davis, Patrice Lovely, Yousef Erakat, Diamond White, Lexy Panterra, Andre Hall, Brock O'Hurn, and Tito Ortiz. It is the tenth film in the Madea cinematic universe, the sequel to Boo! A Madea Halloween (2016), and the third Madea film not adapted from a stage play as it tells the story of Madea going to retrieve a now 18-year-old Tiffany from a lake that is said to be stalked by a serial killer. The film was released by Lionsgate on October 20, 2017, and grossed $48 million.

<i>A Madea Family Funeral</i> 2019 American comedy film directed by Tyler Perry

A Madea Family Funeral is a 2019 American comedy film written, directed, and produced by Tyler Perry. It is the eleventh installment of the Madea cinematic universe, and stars Perry in several roles, including as the titular character, as well as Cassi Davis and Patrice Lovely. The plot follows Madea and her friends as they must set up an unexpected funeral during a family get-together in Maxine, Georgia.

<i>A Madea Homecoming</i> 2022 American film by Tyler Perry

A Madea Homecoming is a 2022 American comedy film produced, written, and directed by Tyler Perry and his second film to be released by Netflix. Besides Perry, the film stars Cassi Davis-Patton, David Mann, Tamela Mann, Gabrielle Dennis, and Brendan O'Carroll. It is the twelfth film in the Madea cinematic universe. The film tells the story of Madea partaking in her great-grandson's college graduation party as hidden secrets emerge and surprise visitors show up. It was released on February 25, 2022. It is adapted from Perry's stage play Madea's Farewell Play, the first Madea film to be adapted from a stage play since A Madea Christmas. The film is also a crossover between the Madea franchise and the Irish sitcom Mrs. Brown's Boys.

Madea's Destination Wedding is an upcoming American comedy film produced, written, and directed by Tyler Perry and his fourth film to be released by Netflix. Perry reprises his role as Mabel "Madea" Simmons. It is the thirteenth film in the Madea cinematic universe.