Just three weeks after the passing of his mother, Tyler Perry is planning on hitting the road with a new play.

After five years of refraining from the stage, and after producing and starring in several films featuring Madea, Tyler Perry is bringing his signature character back to the theater in a new production set to tour in 2010.

The entertainment mogul posted a message on his Web site Saturday that said he had taken some time off in the past few months “so I could spend my mother’s final days at her side.”

Perry says he will begin touring with his new play, “Madea’s Big Happy Family,” on Jan. 4 in El Paso, Texas. The first leg then goes on to Phoenix, San Diego, Seattle and Portland, Oregon, reports the Associated Press. Other locations and dates will be announced.

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Actor and producer Tyler Perry’s mother, Willie Maxine Perry, has died at age 64. There were no other immediate details about her death.

Late Tuesday morning, he sent out posts on his FaceBook and Twitter pages directing fans and followers to his Web site saying, “I just sent out an email that I’d like to share with you. Please check it out.”

“Willie Maxine Perry. February 12, 1945 to December 8, 2009. Thank you for all your prayers,” a message on Perry’s Web site said Tuesday.

Perry, 40, credited his mother, a preschool teacher in New Orleans, as the inspiration for his most popular character, Madea.

According to the FaceBook page “Please Pray for Mother Maxine Perry — Tyler’s Mom,” she has been sick since late August, although no details about an ailment were mentioned.

Our condolences.

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BP Member GLCIII

GLCIII asks, “Is he (Tyler Perry) reinforcing stereotypes? And even if he is, how do you weigh that against the good he’s doing?” In the news forum Is Madea bad for Black America members are debating this very question. Find out what other members are saying here.