Tyler Perry brings stage play 'Madea’s Big Happy Family' to DVD

Love him or loathe him, Tyler Perry is virtually unique in today's cinematic landscape for his frequent cross-border trips between the worlds of film and theater. How many name brand moviemakers can say they've taken time out from their lucrative screen careers to tour the country in stage productions as actor, director and writer?

Perry's appeal has always been less artistically exalted than unapologetically populist in nature. His latest stage outing, "Madea's Big Happy Family," which played at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood in January as part of a national tour, will be out on DVD and Blu-ray on Nov. 23.

Earlier this year, Lionsgate -- Perry's frequent distributor -- announced that the filmmaker will be turning the same play into a movie that is scheduled to be released in 2011. Perry has adapted a number of his stage plays for the screen, including "Diary of a Mad Black Woman," "Madea Goes to Jail," "Meet the Browns" and "I Can Do Bad All By Myself."

"Madea's Big Happy Family" played for 125 performances in cities including L.A., New York and Atlanta. (Perry had to cancel parts of the tour this year due to exhaustion.) The comedy-drama tells the story of Miss Shirley (Chandra Currelley-Young), an aging single mother who has just received a diagnosis of terminal cancer. With the help of Madea (Perry), she assembles her grown children (and their significant others) for one final reunion, during which loyalties are tested and unpleasant truths are spilled.

Perry's latest movie release, "For Colored Girls," grossed an estimated $20.1 million this weekend. Adapted from the play by Ntozake Shange, the movie earned positive reviews from the L.A. Times and New York Times -- a rarity for the writer-director whose work has long been dismissed by critics.

-- David Ng

Photo (top): the DVD cover for "Madea's Big Happy Family." Credit: Lionsgate

Photo (middle): Tyler Perry, right, with the cast of the stage production of "Madea's Big Happy Family." Credit: Lionsgate

Photo (bottom): Tyler Perry. Credit: Ben Gabbe / Getty Images

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Comments

[Trina g Rucker]

I thought that "For Colored Girls" was one of the best movies Mr. Tyler Perry has done yet. He has still amazed me of coming up with more and more related situtations to fit the community of all race especially his own ethnic race. He really shined on this movie....Thank you! TgR.

[Jean Tyler]

Mr Perry,when Noah built the ark, they called him crazy when David used stones they called him crazy when Abraham and Sarah said they were going to be parents @100 and 90 years old they called them crazy and what about Moses and that rod @the red sea? My point is be obedient to the Voice that guides you, last time I read my Bible it stated (many are called but few are chosen) We all know you have been chosen to spread truth .keep spreading the good news!

[Scarlett]

SO excited for this movie..I 'am white by the way and enjoy Tyler Perry , and will buy it..

[erlene fedrick]

Tyler is a master mind he touches subject s and real life situations that most of us are afraid to come forth to discuss because face it everyone tries to judge but u dnt know whats going on behind closed doors and we need to think or step in the next persons shoes and then u will not be so eager to judge and Tyler gives it to us the eye opener I Love Him we all Love U Tyler

[Jasline]

Man I loved your new play. It was funny.

[bianca evans]

i really loved the movie it really touched me and my family because my auntie just died from breast cancer...

[jamaicagreen]

i love tyler all his movies they all funny and sad but they got powerful messages