Perry fans already know what’s up with Madea. Portrayed by Perry, the great-grandmother named Mabel Simmons, Madea, has starred in several stage plays and films, including “Madea’s Class Reunion,” “Madea’s Family Reunion” and “Madea Goes To Jail.”

When it comes to his Madea productions, Perry is a one-man dynamo, not only appearing as the title character but also writing the plays and movies that made his alter ego a star. In fact, Perry’s appearance as Admiral Richard Barnett in J.J. Abrams “Star Trek” re-imagining marked the first-time the actor / playwright / screenwriter / actor ever appeared in a film not of his own making.

“Madea’s Big Happy Family” begins in El Paso at the Don Haskins Center Jan. 4, followed by Phoenix at the Dodge Theatre Jan. 5 and the San Diego Sports Arena Jan. 6.

Other stops include Seattle (Jan. 9), Portland, Ore. (Jan. 10), Fresno, Calif. (Jan 12), Oakland (Jan. 14-16), Los Angeles (Jan. 19-24) and New York City (Jan. 27-31). Other cities on the production’s touring itinerary include Sacramento, Raleigh, Charlotte, Jacksonville, Winston-Salem, Nashville, Omaha, Minneapolis, Chicago, St. Louis and Cincinnati. Last stop is a three-night run at Detroit’s Fox Theatre May 6-9.

In a posting on his Web site, Perry said “Madea’s Big Happy Family” is his “biggest and best play ever.”

“I’ve done some things in this show that have never been seen in a play before,” Tyler wrote. “The show is hilarious! I mean, it’s so funny that we can’t get through rehearsals. We’re trying to get it all out now. And the music! The music is off the chain. So come on out, I’d love to see you there. It’s bigger and better than anything I’ve ever done. I’m excited about it, I really am. Can you tell?”

Click here for Tyler Perry’s official Web site.