''Laugh to Keep from Crying'' is an 2009 American stage play created, produced, written and directed by Tyler Perry. The show first opened in the fall of 2009. The play is set at an inner-city building in a predominantly African-American neighborhood. It stars Cheryl Pepsii Riley as Carol, Palmer Williams Jr. as Floyd and

Chandra Currelley-Young Chandra Currelley-Young (born August 30, 1961) is an American actress and singer. Currelley has done extensive work with director and writer Tyler Perry, and has played many roles in his various productions and several stage plays. In all of h ...

as Belinda. The live performance released on DVD (August 30, 2011) was recorded live in Atlanta at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre on July 13 - 14, 2010.

Plot

The story revolves around a small group of people living in an inner-city building in a predominantly African-American neighborhood. Carol ( Cheryl Pepsii Riley) is a single mother raising two teenagers: Tony (Donny Sykes), who is studious and participates in gospel choir; and Lisa ( Tamar Davis), who is rebellious and refuses to attend church. She works long hours during the day, and is best friends with Belinda (

), their neighbor across the hall. Carol and Belinda disapprove of Niecey (

D'Atra Hicks D'Atra Hicks (born Deitra Cherelle Hicks; December 27, 1967) is an American actress and singer. Hicks is best known for her role as Jackie Simmons in Tyler Perry's 2002 stage play ''Madea's Family Reunion''. Hicks has also performed as Nurse Tru ...

), their upstairs neighbor who is a

prostitute Prostitution is the business or practice of engaging in sexual activity in exchange for payment. The definition of "sexual activity" varies, and is often defined as an activity requiring physical contact (e.g., sexual intercourse, non-penet ...

. Peter (

Wess Morgan Joel Wesley Morgan (born September 5, 1973), who goes by the stage name Wess Morgan, is an American gospel musician, and pastor. He started his music career, in 2006, with the release of ''Look at Me Now'' by Oak Tree Records. His second album, ...

) and Anna (Stephanie Ferrett) are a white couple who have moved into the building to save money while Peter attends law school. Anna's recently widowed mother, Jane (Rachel Richards) visits. Floyd ( Palmer Williams Jr.) is the superintendent. Carol meets a police officer named Donnie (Anthony Dalton) then Niecy's pimp Eddie, (Celestin Cornielle) who is bad to everybody involved.

Shows

Cast

* Cheryl Pepsii Riley as Carol *

as Belinda * Palmer Williams Jr. as Floyd *

as Niecy * Tamar Davis as Lisa *Donny Sykes as Tony *Stephanie Ferrett as Anna *Chris Cauley as Peter **

(filmed version) *Rachel Richards as Jane *Theo Williamson as Donnie **Anthony Dalton (filmed version) *Greg Stewart as Eddie **Celestin Cornielle (filmed version)

The Band

* Ronnie Garrett - Musical Director & Bass Guitar * Derek Scott - Guitar * Marcus Williams - Drums * Michael Burton - Saxophone & Keyboards * Natalie Ragins - Keyboards & Organ * Lindsay Fields - Background Vocals * Latayvia Cherry - Background Vocals * Jeffrey Lewis - Background Vocals * Zuri Craig - Background Vocals * Crystal "Chrissy" Collins - Background Vocals

Musical numbers

''All songs written and/or produced by Tyler Perry and Elvin D. Ross.'' # " Wake Up Everybody" – Company # "We Can Work It Out" – Floyd & Niecy # "You Gave Me Hope" – Peter # "Lord, I Give It All to You" – Carol # "Church Medley" ## "I Will Trust in the Lord" – Carol ## "We've Come This Far By Faith" – Tony ## "He Will Fix It" – Belinda & Niecy # "I Better Get All My Rent" – Floyd # "Laugh to Keep from Crying" – Belinda # "

Ooh Child "O-o-h Child" is a 1970 single, written by Stan Vincent, recorded by Chicago soul family group the Five Stairsteps and released on the Buddah label. The Five Stairsteps had previous peripheral success recording in Chicago with Curtis Mayfield ...

" – Company # "I Need Thee" – Tony # "No More (I Wanna Be Redeemed)" – Niecy # "I'm Sorry, So Sorry" – Lisa # "Block Party Medley" ## " Shame" – Belinda ## "

Square Biz "Square Biz" is a 1981 song by American R&B singer, Teena Marie. Bass player and frequent collaborator Allen McGrier is credited as the co-writer along with Marie. The song was released as a single from the album ''It Must Be Magic'', and became on ...

" – Anna ## " Best of My Love" – Niecy ## " I'll Take You There" – Jane ## " Outstanding" – Peter ## " Ain't Nobody" – Carol ## " I Like" – Tony # " I Want You Back" – Lisa

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Laugh To Keep From Crying Plays by Tyler Perry African-American plays 2009 plays