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Thursday, March 28, 2024

David and Tamela Mann

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Circle City theater enthusiasts extended a warm and familial welcome to the capricious and clever comedy of David Mann and the triumphant vocals of his wife Tamela recently at the Madame Walker Theatre Center.

Best known for their roles as Brown and Cora in Tyler Perry dramatics, the couple brought an exclusive, sidesplitting, foot-stomping, hand-clapping production that woke up Naptown.

Entering stage left with his sui generis version of ā€œWhen the Saints Go Marching in,ā€ David brought the crowd to tears, positioning himself as a ā€œrun-a-wayā€ model and even offered to take off his shirt and just wear his suspenders.

The loud green patterned pants, yellow shirt, white suspendered character is loosely based on the actorā€™s grandfather, seniors David met at the nursing home, ā€œand just out of my deranged mind,ā€ he says of his witty birth child.

However outrageous and shocking in his theatrics David still manages to keep it clean and within the limits of holiness. ā€œThereā€™s just so much funny stuff that goes on that you donā€™t have to curse and talk nasty,ā€ he says, of the character that even had the ability to discern the weave wearers in the crowd by the sign of increased itching.

Hilariously funny, Davidā€™s act was not without serious tones and testimonials. ā€œThey tried to give me daā€™ sugar,ā€ he said of his bout with the disease, which affects 2.7 million African-Americans each year (American Diabetes Association). ā€œBut the God I serve is bigger than diabetes.ā€

After three months working out his faith in a gym and changing his diet David returned to the doctor where his healing was confirmed. ā€œWell, I donā€™t know what you did,ā€ said his Indian doctor, ā€œbut you donā€™t have diabetes any more.ā€

His healing is apparent, seeing that a slimmer Brownā€™s breakinā€™, poppinā€™, lockinā€™ moves busted the face of a youthful and skilled female competitor as they battled to the ā€œThis Is Yo Granddaddyā€ remix.

Giving way to his ā€œbest halfā€ of 20 years, the gracious and beautiful Tamela Mann made her way to the historic stage, rendering melodies from her sophomore project the ā€œLive Experience.ā€ Gazing into the heavens, her angelic voice, changing the atmosphere, proclaimed that there is ā€œSafety in His Arms.ā€ Not forgetting her roots in the Church of God in Christ Tamelaā€™s brilliantly arresting a capella rendition of Smokie Norfulā€™s ā€œI Need You Nowā€ turned into ā€œI Need Thee, Oh I Need Thee,ā€ right before her triumphant closure with ā€œYou Deserve My Praise.ā€

Tamelaā€™s songs are but testimonies of the many things the Lord has done for her and David. ā€œYou look at us now, but you donā€™t know our then,ā€ she said. Akin to David, Tamela has wrestled with health issues, only hers was a direct assault on her gift. Prior to recording this most recent project the enemy attacked her vocal chords. After a visit to the ear, nose and throat specialist, the husband and wife duo determined to press on even if it meant that David would have to edit any faux pas in studio.

But God, ā€œthe anointing showed up. She sang and we didnā€™t have to fix nothing,ā€ said her loving and supportive husband. ā€œIā€™ve heard her sing for over 20 years and still the anointing is as fresh now as it was then.ā€

Yet the glory of God revealed is even greater in their lives when coupled together. The Manns belted out the final melody together but not before taking a moment to encourage married couples in the crowd.

ā€œWeā€™ve been married for 20 years without separations,ā€ said Tamela.

ā€œThere was a time when I tried to leave but my truck wouldnā€™t start,ā€ said David, bubbling over with laughter.

Indivisible and in total agreement, the dynamic duo just completed filming the initial episodes of ā€œMeet the Brownsā€ the television show. ā€œI really thank God for Tyler,ā€ says Tamela of the mogul who she and David have traversed the industry with since 1999. Continuing to flow together in the Spirit, ā€œMeet the Brownsā€ the television show airs on TBS beginning Jan. 7 after ā€œHouse of Payne.ā€ The Manns also star in ā€œMadea Goes to Jail.ā€ The movie hits theaters Feb. 20.

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