Tyler Perry's 'Madea's Big Happy Family'

By now, you probably know Hollywood heavyweight Tyler Perry’s rags-to-riches story of how he once lived in his car and is now the producer of an Oscar-nominated film, "Precious." Well, he’s also living proof that you can go home again, as he ably does playing the title character in "Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Big Happy Family." Perry, according to Time magazine’s Richard Zoglin, “may well be the most popular unsung playwright in America.” Every stage play comes with lessons for life, some great songs from outstanding singers, big laughs — and sold-out crowds. And Perry’s character Madea is there to orchestrate it all, as she has in "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" through "Madea Goes to Jail," which were made into feature films. Director, producer, writer, actor: Through his work, Perry has tapped into the commonality that exists throughout all families and put it onstage. Again.

-- Dawn Burkes