# Diary of a Mad Black Woman (play)

Tyler Perry's Diary of a Mad Black Woman is a 2001 American stage play written, directed and produced by Tyler Perry. The production starred Tyler Perry as Daddy Charles & Madea and Marva King as Helen Simmons-McCarter. The live performance released on DVD and VHS was recorded live in Atlanta at the Atlanta Civic Center in May 2001.

## Synopsis

Helen McCarter (King) is a loving wife to her successful millionaire husband and attorney, Charles McCarter (Blake). For twenty years, they have lived in a mansion on the inner part of the city. It appears that Helen is living the perfect life, but things are not as they seem, seeing as how Helen and Charles' marriage seems to be slowly falling apart. Charles' father, an elderly mail clerk by the name of Daddy Charles (Perry), talks to Helen, realizing that she is not as happy as she seems. He knows that Helen loves Charles, exclaiming to his son later in the play, "I dunno why she loves you, but she loves you to death." Helen also confides in her friend, Brenda (Robinson), an attorney who also works at Charles' firm, and her mother, Myrtle (Mann), who also thinks that Helen's marriage is still going well. Helen also reveals that Charles has also been abusing her physically after trying to cover up a bruise she received with a story claiming to have " hit herself in the eye with a cabinet door."
As their anniversary approaches, the McCarters continue to argue more and more. Finally, on the night of the anniversary, Charles admits to Helen that he has not been happy for quite sometime, and also tells her that he wants a divorce, revealing that he has been having an affair with another woman, who is Helen's friend Brenda. After humiliating Helen, Charles leaves her, telling her she can have the house and $2,000 a month.
The next day, Madea comes to visit Helen, trying to encourage her. However, when Brenda comes over, things start to escalate. When Brenda taunts Helen about the break-up, Helen grabs a gun in an attempt to "accidentally" kill Brenda. Myrtle arrives just in time to tell her daughter about Charles' car accident and keep her from killing Brenda. As Helen snatches the wig from the horrified Brenda, Madea attempts to shoot the mistress. Following this incident, Helen and Myrtle have a heated argument about the situation, leading Myrtle to almost wash her hands of her daughter. But, upon realizing that Helen really placed the blame on Charles, Brenda, and (lamentably) God, Myrtle turns back and urges her to direct her anger at the devil and reevaluate her faith in Christ.
Meanwhile, Helen receives a package from a delivery man named Orlando (Moore). Helen scolds him for what seems as though trying to flirt with her. Madea then recognizes Orlando in a magazine as a successful and wealthy business owner. Helen apologizes to Orlando, but Orlando blocks her advance, claiming that she is only doing so because she found out that he was rich. Helen finally tells him of her troubles and the two become friends. Brenda returns once more, this time bringing the paralyzed Charles to Helen, claiming that she cannot take care of him anymore and that she is not a care giver. Brenda then leaves quickly as Helen was trying to pull her wig off again, like she did when Myrtle told her about Charles, but not before being shot by Madea, who exclaims, "I got her, girl. Let me get the hell out!" Helen talks to Charles and laughs at the fact that he is now suffering. She leaves him sitting in the living room for days without feeding and bathing him. Charles begins to apologize and begs to just be left to die, but Helen refuses and tells him that she wants him to suffer for everything that he did to her. Later, Madea, who has been captured by the police later in the play for attempted murder, and Myrtle come over to tell Helen that Madea and Daddy Charles, who was sent to a home, had been working together and delivering letters from Charles job to Helen and make her see that she is now the acting owner of the company and quickly fires someone over the phone (probably Brenda), much to Myrtle's chagrin.
Over time, Helen begins a relationship with Orlando. And soon, Charles reveals that he is no longer paralyzed. Helen signs the divorce papers and prepares to leave with Orlando. As she is about to leave, she realizes that she is still in love with Charles, returns and makes Charles promise to never hurt her again, and the two begin anew.

## Tour dates

Scheduled shows :
| Date | City | Venue |
| January 16, 2001 | New Orleans | Saenger Theatre |
| January 17, 2001 | New Orleans | Saenger Theatre |
| January 18, 2001 | New Orleans | Saenger Theatre |
| January 19, 2001 | New Orleans | Saenger Theatre |
| January 20, 2001 | New Orleans | Saenger Theatre |
| January 21, 2001 | New Orleans | Saenger Theatre |
| January 23, 2001 | Washington, D.C. | Warner Theatre |
| January 24, 2001 | Washington, D.C. | Warner Theatre |
| January 25, 2001 | Washington, D.C. | Warner Theatre |
| January 26, 2001 | Washington, D.C. | Warner Theatre |
| January 27, 2001 | Washington, D.C. | Warner Theatre |
| January 28, 2001 | Washington, D.C. | Warner Theatre |
| February 1, 2001 | Columbia | Township Auditorium |
| February 2, 2001 | Columbia | Township Auditorium |
| February 3, 2001 | Columbia | Township Auditorium |
| February 4, 2001 | Columbia | Township Auditorium |
| February 8, 2001 | New Orleans | Saenger Theatre |
| February 9, 2001 | New Orleans | Saenger Theatre |
| February 10, 2001 | New Orleans | Saenger Theatre |
| February 11, 2001 | New Orleans | Saenger Theatre |
| February 15, 2001 | Memphis | Orpheum Theatre |
| February 16, 2001 | Memphis | Orpheum Theatre |
| February 17, 2001 | Memphis | Orpheum Theatre |
| February 18, 2001 | Memphis | Orpheum Theatre |
| February 20, 2001 | Chicago | New Regal Theater |
| February 21, 2001 | Chicago | New Regal Theater |
| February 22, 2001 | Chicago | New Regal Theater |
| February 23, 2001 | Chicago | New Regal Theater |
| February 24, 2001 | Chicago | New Regal Theater |
| February 25, 2001 | Chicago | New Regal Theater |
| February 27, 2001 | Chicago | New Regal Theater |
| February 28, 2001 | Chicago | New Regal Theater |
| March 1, 2001 | Chicago | New Regal Theater |
| March 2, 2001 | Chicago | New Regal Theater |
| March 3, 2001 | Chicago | New Regal Theater |
| March 4, 2001 | Chicago | New Regal Theater |
| March 12, 2001 | Washington, D.C. | Warner Theatre |
| March 13, 2001 | Washington, D.C. | Warner Theatre |
| March 14, 2001 | Washington, D.C. | Warner Theatre |
| March 15, 2001 | Washington, D.C. | Warner Theatre |
| March 16, 2001 | Washington, D.C. | Warner Theatre |
| March 17, 2001 | Washington, D.C. | Warner Theatre |
| March 18, 2001 | Washington, D.C. | Warner Theatre |
| March 22, 2001 | Indianapolis | Murat Theatre |
| March 23, 2001 | Indianapolis | Murat Theatre |
| March 24, 2001 | Indianapolis | Murat Theatre |
| March 25, 2001 | Indianapolis | Murat Theatre |
| May 1, 2001 | Jacksonville | Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts |
| May 2, 2001 | Jacksonville | Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts |
| May 3, 2001 | Jacksonville | Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts |
| May 4, 2001 | Jacksonville | Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts |
| May 5, 2001 | Jacksonville | Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts |
| May 6, 2001 | Jacksonville | Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts |
| May 8, 2001 | Atlanta | Atlanta Civic Center |
| May 9, 2001 | Atlanta | Atlanta Civic Center |
| May 10, 2001 | Atlanta | Atlanta Civic Center |
| May 11, 2001 | Atlanta | Atlanta Civic Center |
| May 12, 2001 | Atlanta | Atlanta Civic Center |
| May 13, 2001 | Atlanta | Atlanta Civic Center |
| June 7, 2001 | Oakland | Paramount Theatre |
| June 8, 2001 | Oakland | Paramount Theatre |
| June 9, 2001 | Oakland | Paramount Theatre |
| June 10, 2001 | Oakland | Paramount Theatre |
| July 12, 2001 | Los Angeles | Wiltern Theatre |
| July 13, 2001 | Los Angeles | Wiltern Theatre |
| July 14, 2001 | Los Angeles | Wiltern Theatre |
| July 15, 2001 | Los Angeles | Wiltern Theatre |
| July 24, 2001 | Washington, D.C. | Warner Theatre |
| July 25, 2001 | Washington, D.C. | Warner Theatre |
| July 26, 2001 | Washington, D.C. | Warner Theatre |
| July 27, 2001 | Washington, D.C. | Warner Theatre |
| July 28, 2001 | Washington, D.C. | Warner Theatre |
| July 29, 2001 | Washington, D.C. | Warner Theatre |
| July 31, 2001 | Chicago | New Regal Theater |
| August 1, 2001 | Chicago | New Regal Theater |
| August 2, 2001 | Chicago | New Regal Theater |
| August 3, 2001 | Chicago | New Regal Theater |
| August 4, 2001 | Chicago | New Regal Theater |
| August 5, 2001 | Chicago | New Regal Theater |
| September 4, 2001 | Detroit | Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts |
| September 5, 2001 | Detroit | Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts |
| September 6, 2001 | Detroit | Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts |
| September 7, 2001 | Detroit | Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts |
| September 8, 2001 | Detroit | Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts |
| September 9, 2001 | Detroit | Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts |
| September 18, 2001 | Philadelphia | Merriam Theater |
| September 19, 2001 | Philadelphia | Merriam Theater |
| September 20, 2001 | Philadelphia | Merriam Theater |
| September 21, 2001 | Philadelphia | Merriam Theater |
| September 22, 2001 | Philadelphia | Merriam Theater |
| September 23, 2001 | Philadelphia | Merriam Theater |
| October 23, 2001 | New York City | Beacon Theatre |
| October 24, 2001 | New York City | Beacon Theatre |
| October 25, 2001 | New York City | Beacon Theatre |
| October 26, 2001 | New York City | Beacon Theatre |
| October 27, 2001 | New York City | Beacon Theatre |
| October 28, 2001 | New York City | Beacon Theatre |
| November 1, 2001 | Augusta | Bell Auditorium |
| November 2, 2001 | Augusta | Bell Auditorium |
| November 3, 2001 | Augusta | Bell Auditorium |
| November 4, 2001 | Augusta | Bell Auditorium |
| November 6, 2001 | Dallas | Bruton Theatre |
| November 7, 2001 | Dallas | Bruton Theatre |
| November 8, 2001 | Dallas | Bruton Theatre |
| November 9, 2001 | Dallas | Bruton Theatre |
| November 10, 2001 | Dallas | Bruton Theatre |
| November 11, 2001 | Dallas | Bruton Theatre |
| November 14, 2001 | Cleveland | Allen Theatre |
| November 15, 2001 | Cleveland | Allen Theatre |
| November 16, 2001 | Cleveland | Allen Theatre |
| November 17, 2001 | Cleveland | Allen Theatre |
| November 18, 2001 | Cleveland | Allen Theatre |
| November 23, 2001 | Memphis | Orpheum Theatre |
| November 24, 2001 | Memphis | Orpheum Theatre |
| November 25, 2001 | Memphis | Orpheum Theatre |
| November 27, 2001 | Baltimore | Lyric Opera House |
| November 28, 2001 | Baltimore | Lyric Opera House |
| November 29, 2001 | Baltimore | Lyric Opera House |
| November 30, 2001 | Baltimore | Lyric Opera House |
| December 1, 2001 | Baltimore | Lyric Opera House |
| December 2, 2001 | Baltimore | Lyric Opera House |

## Cast
### Filmed Cast

* Tyler Perry as Daddy Charles and Madea
* Marva King as Helen Simmons-McCarter
* Curtis Blake as Charles McCarter
* Cordell Moore as Orlando
* Tamela Mann as Myrtle Miller
* Tunja Robinson as Brenda
* Regina McCrary as Angelo
* Ty London as Willie

### Live Tour Cast

* Tyler Perry as Daddy Charles and Madea
* Marva King as Helen Simmons-McCarter
** D'Atra Hicks (2001)
** Kitra Williams-White
* Curtis Blake as Charles McCarter
* Dexter Hamlett as Orlando
** Samson Logan (2001)
* Regina Gibbs as Myrtle Miller
** Tamela Mann (2001)
* Tunja Robinson as Brenda
* Regina McCrary as Angelo
* Ty London as Willie

## The Band

* Elvin Ross - Musical Director
* Mike Frazier - Bass
* Eric Morgan - Drums
* John Forbes - Keyboards
* Jim Gorst - Sound
* Davie Holmbo - Sound

## Musical Numbers

All songs written and/or produced by Tyler Perry and Elvin D. Ross.

### Act One

* "Overture" - Band
* "Dear Diary I" - Helen
* "Only Believe" - Myrtle
* "A Man's Gotta Do" - Charles
* "Getting Old Blues" - Willie, Angelo, and Daddy Charles
* "Dear Diary II" - Helen
* "Cold" - Helen

### Act Two

* "Can't Turn Around" - Myrtle
* "Dear Diary III" - Helen
* "Ain't It Funny" - Helen
* "Dear Diary IV" - Helen
* "Father Can You Hear Me" - Helen, Charles, Myrtle, and Company

## Trivia

* Kitra Williams-White understudied the role of Helen, and also sang her parts on the play's soundtrack.
* The character, Myrtle, was originally introduced offscreen in the previous play, I Can Do Bad All By Myself. She calls and prays for Madea while she is sick.
* D'Atra Hicks and Tamela Mann would replace Marva King and Regina Gibbs, respectively, as Helen and Myrtle early on in the show's run.
* Samson Logan would also assume the role of Orlando later on in the show's run.
* On certain nights, the show would end with Helen leaving Charles for good.

## Controversy

In early 2008, playwright Donna West filed suit against Perry, contending that he stole material from her 1991 play, Fantasy of a Black Woman. Veronica Lewis, Perry's attorney, said there was no need for her client to appropriate the work of others.
On December 9, 2008, the case was tried before Judge Leonard Davis in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The jury returned an 8–0 verdict in favor of Perry.

## Film adaptation

The stage play was adapted into a motion picture by Lions Gate Entertainment and BET Pictures, and opened on February 25, 2005. The film version of Diary of a Mad Black Woman stars Kimberly Elise, Steve Harris, Shemar Moore, Cicely Tyson and Tyler Perry. In the movie, Helen and Charles have been married for eighteen years, rather than twenty years as in the play.