Greetings,
So I'm doing another play review and another one by Tyler Perry. This is most likely because, outside of Broadway, I don't think people do the play thing very often anymore. And they don't DVD them either. But Mr. Perry does, so when it comes to reviewing them, he is probably always going to be my go to guy. I have already done a review of The Marriage Counselor, but this one has something which that one did not - Madea, of course. So let's get down to business.
Alright, in case you can't figure this out from the title, Madea's Class Reunion is about Madea's class reunion, her fiftieth to be exact. Actually, though we do see the reunion in the play, it's more of a foundation on which a lot subplots are built. The whole show takes place at a hotel, and Madea doesn't really show up until well into the play. Mostly because Tyler Perry spends this time playing a bartender/bellhop named Willie, who obviously does not keep his job for long. That's not a spoiler, because, even though he can do it in the movies, Tyler Perry cannot play multiple characters on stage. Well, I certainly couldn't, and it makes me feel better to think that other people can't either. Moving on. Of course, the hotel has other employees. First, we get Madea's daughter, Cora, played by the wonderful Tamela Mann, as well as Emma played by Chandra Currelley, also fabulous. And, not to worry. These two great ladies most assuredly do their singing thing. Church, anyone! Then, there's the hotel manager, Ann, played by Chantell Christopher. Here's the thing about Chantell Christopher. She has been in a few of these Tyler Perry productions, and she always plays the . . . well, let's be nice and say the antagonist. And why does she always get these parts even though I am sure she is a lovely person in real life? Well, that's an easy question to answer. Because she's awesome at it! Yeah, she really nails playing the grown up mean girl, and I love her for that.
Next, let's discuss the guests. There's a woman name Stephanie, played by Cheryl "Pepsii" Riley, who just happens to be Emma's daughter and is running from her abusive husband. Then, there's Diana who is visiting the hotel with her husband, and she just happens to be friends with Cora. Also, Diana and her husband just happen to have a connection to Ann. Wow, this thing has coincidences on the level of Les Miserables, but I can let it be, since it is kind of necessary. There's also a side plot involving a couple going through some tough times. It's pretty good and we get some great singing out of it, but it doesn't connect much to the other stories. And, finally, we get, the man himself, Mr. Brown, played by Miss Tamela's real life husband, David Mann. I really can't even put into my own words how much I enjoy Mr. Brown, so I will simply repeat one of his lines, which happens to be what I want to utter each time he comes into view. And that is, "Let the church say, YEAH!!" Or something. And that's all I have to say about that.
Now I can't really get much into the whole plot more than I already have, but that's mostly because, as I said, there are many subplots that create the whole picture. It's not exactly complicated, but there would be too much to say, because telling one thing would just lead to my telling you the next, until I explained that whole story. I don't want to do that, since that would be spoiling it. Still, that's not what's important.
The bottom line question is this. Is it good? Well, of course, I would say yes, because I love Tyler Perry. If you don't like him, they you will probably not be a huge fan of this. However, I have met several people who have only seen his movies, so I guess this review would mostly be for them. Especially since this is one of his plays that has not made it to the big screen - yet. So, if you are a fan of his and have not seen this, I say check it out. It's funny where it should be and serious where it should be, which is something I've always thought Tyler Perry has done well, and it has a good message. Yeah, God bless Mr. Perry for including a reference to one of my favorite Bible verses, Psalms 105:15, especially since it's in regards to a woman dealing with a less than supportive employer. Oh, mercy, can I relate to that? Anyway, I found this production just plain entertaining. For what more can one ask.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
