When Tyler Perry announced he was finally hanging up the wig and the oversized floral dresses, fans didn't just want a movie. They wanted that raw, live-audience energy that started it all back in 1999. Madea's Farewell Play Tour wasn't just another show; it was a victory lap. Honestly, the madea farewell play cast felt more like a family reunion than a professional production.
You’ve probably seen the BET+ version or caught a glimpse of the clips on TikTok. But who exactly was on that stage for the final curtain call? It wasn't just the "Mount Rushmore" of the Perry universe. Sure, you had the heavy hitters like David and Tamela Mann, but the ensemble featured a mix of longtime staples and some fresh faces that brought a different vibe to the stage.
The Legends Who Had to Be There
It wouldn't be a farewell without the core group. Tyler Perry, obviously, pulled double duty as Madea and Uncle Joe. Seeing him switch between the two in a live setting is still one of those "how does he do that?" moments.
Then you have Cassi Davis Patton. She returned as Aunt Bam. If Madea is the hammer, Bam is the comic relief that keeps the tension from getting too heavy. Cassi has been with Tyler since the early days of House of Payne, and her chemistry with Perry is basically telepathic at this point.
And of course, the Manns.
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- Tamela Mann as Cora Jean Simmons-Brown.
- David Mann as Mr. Leroy Brown.
David Mann’s wardrobe in this play was... a lot. We’re talking neon shapes and patterns that should legally require sunglasses. But when Tamela opens her mouth to sing, the comedy stops and the room turns into a cathedral. That’s the "secret sauce" of a Perry play. You laugh until your stomach hurts, then you're hit with a gospel powerhouse performance that makes you want to repent for everything you did in 2010.
Breaking Down the Full Madea Farewell Play Cast
Beyond the "Big Four," the cast for the 2019-2020 tour included some incredible talent that helped flesh out the family drama. The plot centers around a graduation party for Malik, and that’s where the rest of the crew comes in.
The Family and Friends:
- Alexis Hollins as Darlene Samuels: She’s the mother figure dealing with the brunt of the family’s financial and emotional stress.
- Jacobi Brown as Malik Samuels: The grandson graduating from medical school. He’s the "reason for the season" in this specific script.
- Kwaylon Rogers (BlameitonKway) as Tiffany "TiTi" Samuels: This was a huge deal for internet fans. Kwaylon brought his viral character TiTi to the stage, and the interaction between TiTi and Madea was pure chaos.
- Walter Fauntleroy as Omar: Bringing some grounded acting to the mix.
- RaVaughn Nichelle Brown as Sylvia: Every Perry play needs a bit of a "villain" or a source of friction, and Sylvia fits the bill.
- Anthony Lewis as Devin: Malik’s best friend.
- Kendrick Mays as William Samuels.
- Ashlee Brie Gillum as Robin.
Why This Specific Lineup Worked
Most people get it wrong when they think Tyler Perry plays are just about Madea. They’re actually variety shows disguised as sitcoms.
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You need the vocalists. You need the physical comedians. The madea farewell play cast was curated to hit every one of those notes. For instance, having someone like Kwaylon Rogers was a smart move to bridge the gap between the older "theatre-going" generation and the younger "social media" crowd. It felt current. It didn't feel like a museum piece.
The production was long—over two hours. That requires a certain level of stamina that stage actors have but film actors sometimes struggle with. The banter between Mr. Brown and Aunt Bam is often improvised, or at least feels like it. If the cast doesn't have that "ride or die" connection, the whole thing falls flat. This group had it.
The Reality of the "Final" Goodbye
There was a lot of talk about this being the absolute end. Tyler was "tired of the hair, tired of the stockings." But as we saw with A Madea Homecoming on Netflix later on, the character is hard to kill.
Still, the stage version is the purest form of the character. The cast of the farewell tour handled the "ending" with a lot of grace. They knew they were part of a cultural era. When the show wrapped its filming for BET+ at the end of the tour, you could see the genuine emotion. It wasn't just acting. These people have spent twenty years growing up together on tour buses and in dressing rooms.
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What to Watch Next if You Miss the Cast
If you’re looking to see this specific group again, you’re in luck. While the play tour ended, the "Perry-verse" is small.
- Tyler Perry's Assisted Living: You'll find David and Tamela Mann here, continuing the saga of Mr. Brown and Cora.
- House of Payne: Cassi Davis remains a fixture here.
- The Movies: Almost everyone in the main cast has popped up in the film versions at some point, though the play versions of the characters are often much more "dialed up."
If you haven't seen the recorded version of the play, check it out on BET+. It’s the best way to see the chemistry between the madea farewell play cast without having to pay for a front-row ticket. Pay attention to the background actors during the "dinner" scenes; their reactions to Madea’s ad-libs are often funnier than the jokes themselves.
To dive deeper into the history of these performers, look for the "Behind the Scenes" specials often included with the DVD releases of the earlier plays. Many of these actors, like Tamela Mann, started as background singers for Kirk Franklin before Tyler Perry ever put them in a script. Understanding that musical background explains why the plays always turn into concerts by the second act. You can also follow Kwaylon Rogers or David Mann on Instagram to see that their real-life personalities aren't actually that far off from what you see on the stage.
Practical Next Step: To see the cast in action, search for "Madea's Farewell Play" on the BET+ app or Amazon Prime Video. If you want the live experience, watch the "Behind the Curtain" featurettes to see how they handle the intense costume changes and improvised moments that never made it into the final script.