"Tyler Perry's The Marriage Counselor" play comes to the Paramount Theatre

"Tyler Perry's The Marriage Counselor" plays at Seattle's Paramount Theatre March 20-22.

By Michael Cidoni
The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Tyler Perry wants Madea dead.

That may come as a surprise, given the big-hearted but foul-tempered, pistol-packin' granny has emerged as director-writer-producer-actor Perry's signature character — and, now, his cash cow.

"Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail" topped the U.S. box office for two weeks last month, and made $41 million in its first three days of release, then quickly surpassed the overall take of his previously top-grossing film, "Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion" (2006). It's now at $83 million and counting.

Still, Perry confesses: "I would love to see Madea die a slow death in the next film."

The reason? It takes a lot of effort to turn the 6-foot-5-inch Perry into big momma Madea. She's "a whole lot of fun to watch. But to do it is a nightmare," Perry says.

"It's all one suit that I'm zipped into, so it's all heavy. The hips are heavy. And the more I sweat, the heavier it gets. ... "

Come summer, the 39-year-old Perry — whose Atlanta-based media empire includes films, books, videos, theatrical productions and TV shows — will be back on the big screen making a cameo appearance in director J.J. Abrams' "Star Trek."

Perry's empire sends entertainment around the country, such as "Tyler Perry's The Marriage Counselor," the touring play with a three-day stand at Seattle's Paramount Theatre today through Sunday. Perry found his initial success in touring black-themed plays through Southern theaters, the so-called "chitlin circuit."

Next is Perry's own period drama "A Jazz Man's Blues." Then, more Madea, with "Madea's Class Reunion."

Perry said that it's clear that fans want more of her. "As long as they want to see her, she'll stay around. But, I'm telling you, if they ever stop coming, she's going to die a quick death. 'Madea's Funeral.' That's what you look forward to."