Madea's Big Happy Family
Encyclopedia
Madea's Big Happy Family is a 2010 American musical
play created, written, produced, and directed by Tyler Perry
. It stars Tyler Perry as Mabel "Madea" Simmons, Cassi Davis
as Aunt Bam, Palmer Williams, Jr. as Uncle Monroe, and Chandra Currelley-Young as Shirley.
Perry began writing "Big Happy Family" after the death of his mother in December 2009. The main character of Shirley is based on her.
), visits Dr. Frank Wallace (Omarr Dixon). Aunt Bam flirts with Dr. Wallace. Shirley politely asks Aunt Bam to leave. Dr. Wallace tells Shirley that her cancer has returned and she might have 4-6 weeks left. He tells her he wishes he had her faith. She thanks him, then leaves with Aunt Bam. Later, Aunt Bam tells Shirley that she invited Madea to come over and help her when she tells her children the news. 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 (Jefferey 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 crazy. 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 kleptomania
c. 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 look upset and Donnie and Byron sing her a gospel song. Meanwhile, Donnie finds out from Aunt Bam that Kimberly is his real mother: she had him when she was 12 years old after having been raped. Madea leaves the house and tried to start her car, but guess what...! 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 he 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 goes up to Heaven ("Heaven Waits for Me") and this makes everyone sad and scared of what will happen in their futures without her.
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 condoleneces to Byron, but soon they began to argue. Frustrated, Madeam 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 she tells Kimberly she has love and needs to show it more. Kimberly goes upstairs with Jason and sincerely apologizes to Jason.
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.
of the same name
was released on April 22, 2011.
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
play created, written, produced, and directed by Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry is an American actor, director, playwright, entrepreneur, screenwriter, producer, author, and songwriter. Perry wrote and produced many stage plays during the 1990s and early 2000s. In 2005, he released his first film, Diary of a Mad Black Woman...
. It stars Tyler Perry as Mabel "Madea" Simmons, Cassi Davis
Cassi Davis
Cassandra "Cassi" Davis is an American actress. She is mostly known for her role as Ella Payne in Tyler Perry's House of Payne. Davis has done extensive work with director and writer Tyler Perry, and has played many roles in his various productions...
as Aunt Bam, Palmer Williams, Jr. as Uncle Monroe, and Chandra Currelley-Young as Shirley.
Perry began writing "Big Happy Family" after the death of his mother in December 2009. The main character of Shirley is based on her.
Plot
Shirley (Chandra Curelly), accompanied by Aunt Bam (Cassi DavisCassi Davis
Cassandra "Cassi" Davis is an American actress. She is mostly known for her role as Ella Payne in Tyler Perry's House of Payne. Davis has done extensive work with director and writer Tyler Perry, and has played many roles in his various productions...
), visits Dr. Frank Wallace (Omarr Dixon). Aunt Bam flirts with Dr. Wallace. Shirley politely asks Aunt Bam to leave. Dr. Wallace tells Shirley that her cancer has returned and she might have 4-6 weeks left. He tells her he wishes he had her faith. She thanks him, then leaves with Aunt Bam. Later, Aunt Bam tells Shirley that she invited Madea to come over and help her when she tells her children the news. Soon enough, Madea (Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry is an American actor, director, playwright, entrepreneur, screenwriter, producer, author, and songwriter. Perry wrote and produced many stage plays during the 1990s and early 2000s. In 2005, he released his first film, Diary of a Mad Black Woman...
) 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 (Jefferey 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
Támar
Támar is an American R&B singer who came to prominence through the artist, Prince. She sang the co-lead vocals on his Grammy-nominated song "Beautiful, Loved and Blessed" from his 2006 album, 3121 and on backup vocals throughout the album...
) 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 crazy. 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
Crack cocaine
Crack cocaine is the freebase form of cocaine that can be smoked. It may also be termed rock, hard, iron, cavvy, base, or just crack; it is the most addictive form of cocaine. Crack rocks offer a short but intense high to smokers...
-addicted kleptomania
Kleptomania
Kleptomania is an irresistible urge to steal items of trivial value. People with this disorder are compelled to steal things, generally, but not limited to, objects of little or no significant value, such as pens, paper clips, paper and tape...
c. 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 look upset and Donnie and Byron sing her a gospel song. Meanwhile, Donnie finds out from Aunt Bam that Kimberly is his real mother: she had him when she was 12 years old after having been raped. Madea leaves the house and tried to start her car, but guess what...! 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 he 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 goes up to Heaven ("Heaven Waits for Me") and this makes everyone sad and scared of what will happen in their futures without her.
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 condoleneces to Byron, but soon they began to argue. Frustrated, Madeam 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 she tells Kimberly she has love and needs to show it more. Kimberly goes upstairs with Jason and sincerely apologizes to Jason.
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.
Cast
- Tyler PerryTyler PerryTyler Perry is an American actor, director, playwright, entrepreneur, screenwriter, producer, author, and songwriter. Perry wrote and produced many stage plays during the 1990s and early 2000s. In 2005, he released his first film, Diary of a Mad Black Woman...
as Mabel "Madea" Simmons - Cassi DavisCassi DavisCassandra "Cassi" Davis is an American actress. She is mostly known for her role as Ella Payne in Tyler Perry's House of Payne. Davis has done extensive work with director and writer Tyler Perry, and has played many roles in his various productions...
as Aunt Bam - Palmer Williams, Jr as Monroe
- Chandra Currelley-YoungChandra Currelley-YoungChandra Currelley-Young is an American actress. Currelley has done extensive work with director and writer Tyler Perry, and has played many roles in his various productions. She also has appeared in several stage plays.-Life and career:...
as Shirley - Cheryl Pepsii RileyCheryl Pepsii RileyCheryl "Pepsii" Riley-Grace is an American R&B/gospel singer and actress, best known for her 1988 ballad, "Thanks for My Child."-Life and career:Cheryl Riley was born in Brooklyn, New York...
as Joyce - Crissy Collins as Tammy
- Támar DavisTámarTámar is an American R&B singer who came to prominence through the artist, Prince. She sang the co-lead vocals on his Grammy-nominated song "Beautiful, Loved and Blessed" from his 2006 album, 3121 and on backup vocals throughout the album...
as Kimberly - Jeffery Lewis as Byron
- Zuri Craig as Donnie
- Brandi Milton as Karen
- Chontelle Moore as Rose
- Danny ClayDanny ClayDanny Bruce Clay is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He bats and throws right-handed....
as Harold Jones - Rico Ball as Jason
- Omarr Dixon as Dr. Wallace
Film adaptation
A film adaptationFilm adaptation
Film adaptation is the transfer of a written work to a feature film. It is a type of derivative work.A common form of film adaptation is the use of a novel as the basis of a feature film, but film adaptation includes the use of non-fiction , autobiography, comic book, scripture, plays, and even...
of the same name
Madea's Big Happy Family (film)
Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family is a 2011 comedy-drama film based on Tyler Perry's 2010 play of the same name and the eleventh film in the Tyler Perry film franchise, and the fifth in the Madea franchise.-Plot:...
was released on April 22, 2011.
Past productions
- Támar DavisTámarTámar is an American R&B singer who came to prominence through the artist, Prince. She sang the co-lead vocals on his Grammy-nominated song "Beautiful, Loved and Blessed" from his 2006 album, 3121 and on backup vocals throughout the album...
and Brandi Milton were in The Marriage CounselorThe Marriage CounselorThe Marriage Counselor is a 2008 play directed by, written by, and produced by American playwright Tyler Perry. 'The Marriage Counselor' is Perry's 10th play....
. Támar also starred in Laugh to Keep from CryingLaugh to Keep from CryingLaugh to Keep from Crying is a play written and directed by American playwright Tyler Perry. The show first opened in the fall of 2009. The play is a mixture of comedy, drama, and music, set at a inner-city building in a predominantly African-American neighborhood.-Plot:The story revolves around a... - Crissy Collins was in Madea Goes to Jail
- Chandra Currelley YoungChandraIn Hinduism, Chandra is a lunar deity and a Graha. Chandra is also identified with the Vedic Lunar deity Soma . The Soma name refers particularly to the juice of sap in the plants and thus makes the Moon the lord of plants and vegetation. He is described as young, beautiful, fair; two-armed and...
and Cheryl Pepsii RileyCherylCheryl is a female given name. It can refer to:Athletes:* Cheryl Ford, professional basketball player in the Women's National Basketball Association * Cheryl Miller, former college basketball player and WNBA coach...
star in numerous Tyler Perry plays and the film Diary of a Mad Black WomanDiary of a Mad Black WomanDiary of a Mad Black Woman is a 2005 romantic comedy-drama film written by and starring Tyler Perry, which was inspired by the play of the same name. It is the first film in the Tyler Perry "Madea" film franchise. Directed by Darren Grant, the film was released in the US on February 25, 2005...
. - Palmer E. WilliamsPalmer-People:*Palmer , a medieval European pilgrim to the Holy Land*Palmer , a surname -Places:Antarctica*Palmer Archipelago, group of islands off the northwestern coast of the Antarctic Peninsula...
was in The Marriage CounselorThe Marriage CounselorThe Marriage Counselor is a 2008 play directed by, written by, and produced by American playwright Tyler Perry. 'The Marriage Counselor' is Perry's 10th play....
and is currently in Tyler Perry's House of PayneTyler Perry's House of PayneTyler Perry's House of Payne is an American comedy-drama television series created and produced by playwright, director, and producer Tyler Perry. The show revolves around a multi-generational family living under one roof in Atlanta, Georgia led by patriarch Curtis Payne and his wife Ella...
. Williams also starred in Laugh to Keep from CryingLaugh to Keep from CryingLaugh to Keep from Crying is a play written and directed by American playwright Tyler Perry. The show first opened in the fall of 2009. The play is a mixture of comedy, drama, and music, set at a inner-city building in a predominantly African-American neighborhood.-Plot:The story revolves around a... - Also Cassi DavisCassiThe Cassi are one of five tribes encountered by Julius Caesar during his second expedition to Britain in 55 BC when he crossed the Thames at Kew, and who became his allies after the Trinovantes joined him...
was in Madea Goes to Jail, What's Done in the DarkWhat's Done in the DarkWhat's Done in the Dark is a play written and directed by American playwright Tyler Perry. The show first opened in September 2006. The play is a mixture of comedy, drama, and music, set in a hospital emergency room, and focuses on two nurses, one of whom is a single mother and the other of whom is...
and currently in the sitcom Tyler Perry's House of PayneTyler Perry's House of PayneTyler Perry's House of Payne is an American comedy-drama television series created and produced by playwright, director, and producer Tyler Perry. The show revolves around a multi-generational family living under one roof in Atlanta, Georgia led by patriarch Curtis Payne and his wife Ella...
, also she reprises her role in the filmMadea's Big Happy Family (film)Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family is a 2011 comedy-drama film based on Tyler Perry's 2010 play of the same name and the eleventh film in the Tyler Perry film franchise, and the fifth in the Madea franchise.-Plot:...