Tyler Perry’s The Marriage Counselor - Theater Review

Cast Members:
Palmer E. Williams Jr. (Floyd), Alltrinna Grayson (T. T.), Anthony Grant (Roger), Tamar Davis (Judith), Johnny Gilmore (Tank), Brandi Milton (Patrice), Myra Beasley (Michelle), Donny Sykes (Oscar), Timon Kyle Durrett (Ronald), Stephanie Ferrett (Becky) and Nicole Jackson (Lisa). Running time: 2 hours 30 minutes.
Venue: New Beacon Theater, 2125 Broadway
Open: Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Closes: Sunday, May 3, 2009
Performances: Sun at 8pm; Sat & Sun at 3pm; no perfs Apr 13-27
Running Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes – 1 intermission
Tickets: $34-$64 – 212-307-4111 ORDER TICKETS ONLINE

In his most recent and 10th play in his illustrious career, Tyler Perry brings us “The Marriage Counselor” . Is it what it sounds like; a marriage counselor that has the ability to counsel others, but misses the trouble in her own? Yes, but it’s not predictable. The Covenant of marriage and all that it encompasses has the ability to transform lives forever, for the good, if we live it the way God intended and for the bad if we don’t. We see this in “The Marriage Counselor” .

A seemingly close family displaced by hurricane Katrina find themselves living together and enduring the trials and tribulations that families normally face, but sometimes try to hide from or avoid.

Roger Jackson (Anthony Grant) is an extremely hard working accountant who loves the Lord and enjoys (almost to a fault) taking care of his wife Judith. Judith (Tamar Davis) is a marriage counselor, his father Floyd Stanley Jackson (Palmer E. Williams Jr.) the family comedian grows his “economic stimulus” weed in the backyard and his Christian mother-in-law Tee-Tee (Alltrinna Grayson) makes hand-made blankets. Everyone is committed to the stability of the family.

Roger and Judith’s interactions always seem to concern money and spending time together. He’s at work trying to make more and she seems to be spending money they just don’t have. Floyd and Tee-Tee are a modern version of George and Florence of “The Jeffersons” . They can’t seem to be in the same room without hurling insults and wisecracks at one another. Without exhausting the audience or themselves, each scene they’re in together, they steal. As a family they really do try to form a united front when it comes to living as a loving family unit, but they often miss the mark.