After five years away from the road, Tyler Perry is ready to return to his roots and bring another Madea stage play on tour. Saturday Dec. 26th Perry used his website to announce that his next project “Madeas Big Happy Family” will be ready to launch in January.

The first leg of the tour begins Jan. 4 in El Paso, Tex., and continues through May 9 in cities across the United States. In the statement, posted on tylerperry.com, Mr. Perry said he was excited to be getting back to work, after taking time off to be with his sick mother, who died on Dec. 8. About his return to the theater, Mr. Perry said, “In the movies, I’m limited, but on stage … FREEEEDDOMMMM!!! LOL.” He also promises it’s his “BIGGEST and BEST PLAY EVER!” and says the show is so hilarious the actors can’t get through rehearsals and the music is “off the chain.”