A Madea Farewell Tale

Sunday,
February 16, was one of the greatest experiences of my life.
I visited the James Brown Arena, for the first time, where I saw Madea’s Farewell tour.

The cast of the tour depicted a family dynamic.

A mother celebrating her son’s college graduation with family while dealing with the grief of being a newly divorced wife.

I ran myself ragged while covering several events.

However, by that afternoon I was taking a photo by the illustrious gold Madea Cadillac.

I attended the show with my cousins Benjamin Gadson, of Choseneyephotography & his sweet mother an educator Charmaine Gadson.

Once we entered the arena
I noticed the different vendors with books, name tags, posters, and t-shirts.

Once inside the theater, the play began.

Immediately I noticed Cassi Davis and Tamela Mann who played Aunt Bam and Cora, respectively.

Davis has always been candid, funny and authentic in her portrayal.
Aunt Bamb is a reflection of the powerful and honest character of many African American grandmothers. She brings this energy onto the stage with a believable yet touching passion.

Mann has always been kind, considerate of others and a great singer on and off the stage.

At one point, Mann really touched me and so many in the arena.

She sang her hit song, “God Provides,”
I didn’t want to but I couldn’t help myself, I began to cry.
She ministered to everyone in the room through song and then began to speak life and positivity to everyone.
She said you will get the job, the promotion, all will be well, your bills will get paid and etc.
She blessed us and set the tone for the remainder of the show.

Seeing them both live has inspired me to pursue my own creative exploits:
singing, acting and comedy skits.

Once David Mann, who stars as Brown appeared on stage I knew he would insert his unique personality.

He’s a multifaceted individual with an eccentric fashion sense and a marked ability in song and dance.

He caught my attention when he sang a cover of a Keith Sweat classic.

Ironically, Sunday morning as I was heading to church I was listening to Ravaughn’s,
“Bestfriend,” and “Better be Good” song.
When I saw her on stage I smiled to myself.

All of the cast members some new faces to me were perfectly handpicked by Perry.
Alexis Hollins, Jacobi, Blameitonkway, Anthony Lewis, Walter Fauntleroy all added their own flare through song and acting to this project.

This play allowed me to be near people I admire.

Perry who plays as Madea was as authentic and striking as ever.

Tyler Perry inspires me for his visual storytelling prowess and mind for theater.

His altruism gives hope to those inspiring to do more with their lives.

I grew up watching Perry at my grandmother’s house as my family and I would gather on Saturday afternoons for dinner.

His plays were an opportunity for family communion.

I saw one of his plays with my parents and sister back in 6th grade in Columbia, SC.

In 2012 I graduated high school as Valedictorian and was gifted with a visa gift card by a cousin.

I took the gift card and treated my grandmother and aunt to see Madea’s Witness Protection in the theaters.

As always we had a great time.

As a young tv buff, I often watched one of my media role models, Oprah Winfrey, with my mom.

One day I saw Tyler Perry on her show talking about his humble beginnings and life struggles.

He discussed how writing about these comedic and dramatic characters that lived in his mind gave him a safe space
which led to his own success and self-healing.

Oprah Winfrey also inspires me.
She has occupied many roles: tv broadcaster, interview talk show host, network owner, philanthropist, and actress.
Personally, I don’t think she gets just credit for her acting.

Perry and Winfrey taught me through their journeys to dream big and that my goals can come to fruition if I work.

I’m grateful for this experience as we face the coronavirus
and have to remain quarantined until this passes.
I needed this moment.

Madea was so interactive with the audience and we sang songs with the cast.
We were notified that the final show would be going on DVD.

Once it was over Perry
thanked everyone again for the years of support. He said that there are dreamers in the room and to keep moving forward. He commended the active fathers and talked about how necessary that relationship is. He said it is because of the trials and triumphs of the Madea plays that opened up the doors of other opportunities for him and his other exploits.

It was just all-around a triumphant and funny moment.

In the end, as we headed back to our cars we saw Tamela Mann in a white SUV and she pulled her window down and we told her we loved her and she said the same.

I was happy because I always wanted to visit the James Brown Arena and I was able to do this in February black history month.

Brown who is originally from Barnwell, SC which is 30 minutes from my hometown has been an important factor in the entertainment world.

Leaving the arena, I felt empowered, as I walked out a switch went off within me and a still voice said get ready your moment is near.

This is an experience I will never forget.