Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Farewell Play Tour
Tyler Perry has wanted to kill off his cinematic alter ego Madea for years. He now has the opportunity to do it in style with the March release of the 10th film of the franchise, Madea’s Family Funeral, and a final stage tour, Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Farewell Play Tour, that he launched on Jan. 18.
Perry has never become tired of the outspoken, outlandish grandmother figure beloved by millions of moviegoers, but he could do without the rigors of donning makeup and costume then sweating through a day of directing. Perry said on a November 2016 broadcast of NBC’s Today that “The minute people stop coming, that broad is dead,” but there’s no sign of audience interest waning. With his responsibilities mounting thanks to a new studio built on a confederate army base in Atlanta, it was time to retire her.
The only way to say goodbye to Madea properly is onstage, where she was created. Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Farewell Play Tour, starring franchise veterans Tamela Mann, David Mann and Cassi Davis, is Perry’s 21st stage play. It was in theater that the Louisiana native found himself as a young man, after Oprah Winfrey inspired him to write. After nearly a decade of honing his skill, Perry scored his first stage success with I Know I’ve Been Changed in 1998, which he took on tour for two years following its breakthrough at Atlanta’s House of Blues.
Mabel M. Simmons, a geriatric force of nature better known as Madea, made her first appearance in Perry’s 1999 play I Can Do Bad All by Myself. Madea, short for “my dear,” is a composite character based on the author’s strong-willed but spiritual female relatives. She resonated as a familiar persona with audiences, and after three more stage productions she made her first film appearance in Perry’s 2005 film-directing debut, Diary of a Mad Black Woman.
Perry, who played Colin Powell in holiday theatrical release Vice, weathered criticism for perpetuating stereotypes, but the films’ enduring popularity is his strongest defense. Watching Madea films has become a holiday tradition, and Perry wisely reinvested the profits his films made back into the community. He intends to employ up to 4,000 people at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, where Black Panther was the first production to use its new stages. Madea made that possible, so Perry is making it possible for audiences to say goodbye one more time, most appropriately, in a live setting. –Matt Kelemen
Planet Hollywood Resort, 5 p.m. Jan. 27, starting at $50 plus tax and fee. 800.745.3000 Ticketmaster
The Right Moves
Gather the girls and enroll in “X” Burlesque University. The afternoon class is taught by one of the fabulous showgirls of the revue “X” Burlesque. The group will get an education in all things sexy—dance routines, showgirl makeup application and more—and, at the end, everyone receives a diploma, makeup kit and a souvenir photo. –Kiko Miyasato
Flamingo, 3 p.m. Sat., $44.95 plus tax and fee, 18+. 702.777.2782
Enjoy the View
Foundation Room Mandalay
With the aroma of incense in the air, and a big bronze Buddha greeting you once you step off the elevator more than 50 floors, up, the Foundation Room is decorated in upscale bohemian fashion. Out on the spacious deck, enjoy the hard-to-beat views of the neon-lit Strip. Ladies, take note of Bubbles for Beauties, a hosted champagne and vodka bar every Friday and Saturday night, 10 p.m. to midnight. –Kiko Miyasato
Mandalay Bay, opens 10 p.m. daily. 702.632.7631
Shop in Style
Miracle Mile shops
With more than 200 specialty boutiques that wind around 1.2 miles of retail space, Miracle Mile Shops offers a heavenly journey through the latest in fashions. Cover yourself in head-to-toe style from brands including Lucky Brand, Original Penguin, Supreme, Guess, H&M Urban Outfitters, Alex + Ani, Fossil, Pandora, Foot Locker and Aldo. –Kiko Miyasato
Planet Hollywood Resort, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Sun.-Thurs., 10 a.m.-midnight Fri.-Sat. 702.866.0704
