The wise-mouthed, working-class, gospel-singing characters that have catapulted Tyler Perry from struggling dramatist to top-grossing writer, producer and director are coming to Pittsburgh in "Tyler Perry's Laugh to Keep From Crying." The play, Perry's 11th stage production, is touring the country, stopping Saturday at the Petersen Events Center in Oakland.

The two-act play examines the difficulties of surviving and thriving in an inner-city neighborhood. The diverse, 11-member cast, mostly made up of veterans from other Perry works, grapples with such issues as providing for a family and planning for the future in a rocky economy. Through all the chaos and uncertainty, the neighborhood maintains a spirit of hope and a sense of humor.

"I like the [play's] activity. It doesn't really lull. You have to really pay attention," says cast member Palmer Williams Jr.

Williams stars as Floyd, the flirtatious landlord of Grandview Apartments, where the play is set. Williams has played characters named Floyd in other Perry productions, including the play "Tyler Perry's The Marriage Counselor" and the television sitcom "Tyler Perry's House of Payne" on TBS.

Perry is "always constantly growing as an artist and a writer. ... People are demanding more so he's giving them more," he said. "He spared no expense in making sure his fans get what they expect and more."

In his latest play, Perry is giving audiences his usual dose of comedic relief.

"Mr. Perry's given me the freedom to ad-lib. ... I have to discipline myself not to make the cast members laugh," Williams said.

Despite the play's humor, Perry doesn't hold back when shedding light on more sensitive subjects such as unemployment and prostitution. This is what Perry's fan base has come to expect. Since 1992, Perry has built his brand on using witty, flamboyant characters, like smart-talking grandma Madea, to explore serious topics such as violence, sexual abuse and poverty, which Perry was no stranger to growing up in a rough African-American neighborhood in New Orleans.

And audiences have paid attention even though Perry's work isn't widely publicized in mainstream media.

"It's the Internet and the word of mouth and knowing that he's coming to town" that attract attention, Williams said. "The word circulates. It's almost like a grassroots approach."

However word is getting out, it's working. Perry's eight films have raked in more than $400 million. His latest movie, "I Can Do Bad All by Myself," which opened in September, debuted at No. 1. With such box office success, Perry opened a 31-acre television and film studio last October.

One of Perry's most recent projects is executive producing, with Oprah Winfrey, the film "Precious," which will open the Three Rivers Film Festival on Friday.

Williams attributes Perry's success to his work touching on emotions and struggles people from various backgrounds can relate to and draw inspiration from.

What Williams may find motivating, others in the African-American community have found stereotypical and insulting. Director Spike Lee sounded off on this topic last spring on "Our World with Black Enterprise," classifying Perry's work as "coonery and buffoonery."

Perry responded during a CBS "60 Minutes" interview that aired Oct. 25.

"I would love to read that to my fan base," Perry said. "Let me tell you what Madea, Brown, all these characters are bait. Disarming, charming, make-you-laugh bait, so I can slap Madea in something and talk about God, love, faith, forgiveness, family, any of those things, you know."

Williams said the war of words between Lee and Perry was "squashed before [the interview] even aired" and that they've since made amends.

"I'm irritated with that whole little thing going on there, but at the same time people should be very careful about what they say, especially when they are in a [similar] genre ... we really can't afford to go and tear each other down."

Williams hopes more people will focus on the themes that are common to much of Perry's work, including his latest play. Those themes? Patience and hope.

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