Breaking news: Tyler Perry coming to Savannah

'Madea's Big Happy Family' April 13 and 14 at the Civic Center

The one and only Tyler Perry is coming to Savannah April 13 and 14, in the cast of his own Madea's Big Happy Family. Tickets for the Savannah Civic Center production are on sale now.

Perry, of course, has been playing Mabel "Madea" Simmons onstage and in a string of very successful films for a few years now.

This week, the author, actor and producer wrote on his Web site: "I gotta tell you, I have missed you. There is nothing like a live performance and if you've never seen a Madea play, then you haven't seen Madea at all. It is an experience, just ask someone who's seen it.

"It's been five years since I've been on the road, and the timing just happened to fall right into place. I needed to get away from Hollywood for a second ... clear my head. There is no better way to do that than to come out and see your faces and be reminded of where this all started."

Perry finishes the message with this: "I can't wait to see you! This play is going to be amazing!"

There are 8 p.m. performances both days; tickets are $50, $60 and $75 at www.etix.com.

All bets are on Precious: Based on the Novel Push By Sapphire, which Perry executive-produced with Oprah Winfrey, to win big at the Academy Awards in March.