Madea's Class Reunion

Madea's Class Reunion is a 2003 play, directed, written by, and starring Tyler Perry. The live performance that was released on DVD was taped in Detroit.

Plot

Tyler Perry's outrageous and tough granny character, Madea, is traveling to the Pandora Hotel, the venue for her 50-year class reunion. Running afoul of the law, Madea still manages to teach valuable lessons amidst the comedy and chaos, addressing the importance of forgiveness and the value of friendship. In addition to Madea, the insane bellboy/bartender, "Dr." Willie Leroy Jones (new character played by Perry), is causing ruckus in the already rowdy hotel before she even arrives. Willie is suffering from an unknown number of Mental illnesses claiming at times to be on lithium, Prozac, and Zanex, and is likely criminally insane as he mentions a probation officer

Madea, her daughter Cora, and her colorful crazy neighbor and classmate, Mr. Brown (whose wife from the previous play, Mattie, died from Alzheimer's complications and was cremated) help married couple Corey and Trina Jeffrey (Terrell Carter, Pamela Taylor) come to terms with infidelity. A woman Stephanie (Cheryl "Pepsii" Riley) hurt by years of sexual and chemical torment must give up prostituting herself with her abusive husband (D'Wayne Gardner), and reconcile with her tired elderly mother Emma (Chandra Currelly-Young) who was fired by the evil manager of the Pandora, Anne (Chantel Christopher), who is having an affair with her son's father (Anselmo Gordon) who is married to Cora's friend Diana (Judy Peterson), who is too reliant on her man.

While all of this takes place Madea enters with her usual flair and quickly cuts through all the lies and secrets and forces everyone to see their situations in a new light giving aid and advice to all. They save the Jeffrey's marriage through the timely interruption of a would be affair with Anne by forcing the woman away and reminding the husband that he stilled loved his wife. Madea convinces Stephanie to break free of her husband and in so doing gain her independence, her self respect, and a measure of revenge for all the years of abuse. In so doing Stephanie also reconciles with her mother healing their bond. Throughout Madea battles Anne and during a visit to the spa with Diana reveals the relationship between Anne and Diana's husband. Diana confronts Anne and is shocked to learned she has given the man a child and in response she kicks her husband out of her life and turns her life over to God.

In the finale we learn that Emma, a long time employee of the hotel, had spoken to the owner about her previous termination by Anne only to be reminded that her previous purchase of stocks in the company to keep it afloat during a financial crisis had blossomed proving her with an impressive fortune. Citing her cruel treatment of employees and her less than satisfying contact with customers Emma fires Anne much to everyone's delight. Before leaving Madea reveals that Mr. Brown is actually Cora's father much to Cora's then despair. Everyone is shown repairing their relationships as the play ends with a powerful and grateful appeal from the cast to Christ for his aid and his goodness.

Cast

• Madea and Dr. Willie Leroy Jones - Tyler Perry
• Emma - Chandra Currelley
• Stephanie - Cheryl Pepsii Riley
• Brown - David Mann
• Diana - Judy Peterson
• Cora - Tamela J. Mann
• Corey - Terrell Carter
• Trina - Pam Taylor
• Ann - Chantell Christopher
• Horace -D'Wayne Gardner
• Clarence -Anselmo Gordon
• Victor - Ahmad Jamal McGhee

Musical numbers

1. "For Everything There's a Reason" - performed by Tamela Mann
2. "Gospel Medley" - performed by David Mann,Chandra Currelley,and Tamela Mann
3. "One More Chance" - performed by Pam Taylor
4. "I Need It" - performed by Chandra Currelley
5. "Could You Handle It?" - performed by Terrell Carter
6. "Taking My Life Back" - performed by Cheryl Pepsii Riley
7. "My Man" - performed by Judy Peterson
8. "It's You" - performed by Judy Peterson
9. "You Can Make It" - performed by Judy Peterson, Tamela Mann, Cheryl Pepsii Riley, Chandra Currelley, Pam Taylor, and Terrell Carter

External links

Madea's Class Reunion at the Internet Movie Database