Laugh to Keep from Crying


Laugh to Keep from Crying is a 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 as Belinda. The live performance released on DVD on August 30, 2011 was recorded live in Atlanta at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in July 2010.

Plot

The story revolves around a small group of people living in an inner-city building in a predominantly African-American neighborhood. Carol is a single mother raising two teenagers: Tony, who is studious and participates in gospel choir; and Lisa, 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, their upstairs neighbor who is a prostitute. Peter and Anna are a white couple who have moved into the building to save money while Peter attends law school. Anna's recently widowed mother, Jane visits. Floyd is the superintendent. Carol meets a police officer named Donnie then Niecy's pimp Eddie, who is bad to everybody involved.

Tour Dates

DateCityVenue
July 13, 2010AtlantaCobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
July 14, 2010AtlantaCobb Energy Performing Arts Centre

Cast

The Band

Musical numbers

All songs written and/or produced by Tyler Perry and Elvin D. Ross.
  1. "Wake Up Everybody" – Company
  2. "We Can Work It Out" – Floyd & Niecy
  3. "You Gave Me Hope" – Peter
  4. "Lord, I Give It All to You" – Carol
  5. "Church Medley"
  6. # "I Will Trust in the Lord" – Carol
  7. # "We've Come This Far By Faith" – Tony
  8. # "He Will Fix It" – Belinda & Niecy
  9. "I Better Get All My Rent" – Floyd
  10. "Laugh to Keep from Crying" – Belinda
  11. "Ooh Child" – Company
  12. "I Need Thee" – Tony
  13. "No More " – Niecy
  14. "I'm Sorry, So Sorry" – Lisa
  15. "Block Party Medley"
  16. # "Shame" – Belinda
  17. # "Square Biz" – Anna
  18. # "Best of My Love" – Niecy
  19. # "I'll Take You There" – Jane
  20. # "Outstanding" – Peter
  21. # "Ain't Nobody" – Carol
  22. # "I Like" – Tony
  23. "I Want You Back" – Lisa