The Haves and the Have Nots is an American stage play which premiered in 2011. Part comedy and part drama, it was created, produced, written, and directed by Tyler Perry. The original stage production starring Palmer Williams Jr. as Floyd, the butler and chef to a wealthy family, and Patrice Lovely as their housekeeper, Hattie, toured 46 cities.
The live performance released on DVD on July 9, 2013 was recorded live in Atlanta at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in June 2012. The DVD, which includes interviews with cast members, was released alongside Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor.
Contents
Plot
The wealthy Willis family is preoccupied with superficial things until their housekeeper Hattie, whose family is struggling financially and faces eviction, asks for help. It appears her prayers have been answered when her daughter Rose and son-in-law Frank come to work at the Willis estate, but things come to a head when Mrs. Willis tries to buy Frank's affections.
Cast
Palmer Williams Jr. as Floyd
Patrice Lovely as Hattie
Tony Hightower as Frank
Jeffery Lewis as Wallie
Kislyck Halsey as Rose
Maurice Lauchner as Lewis
Alexis Jones as Diane
Cassi Davis (Sub For Patrice In 2011)
Band
Ronnie Garrett – Musical Director/Bass Guitar
Derek Scott – Guitar
Marcus Williams – Drums
Michael Burton – Saxophone
Saunders Sermon – Trombone
Natalie Ragins – Keyboards
Melvin Jones – Trumpet
Rashad Henderson – Background Vocals
Greg Kirkland – Background Vocals
Lindsey Fields – Background Vocals
Musical numbers
All songs written and/or produced by Tyler Perry and Elvin D. Ross.
"He's Able" – Rose
"Watch Your Man" – Floyd
"Did You Know?" – Diane
"Falling Apart" – Hattie, Rose, Wallie and Frank
"You Gotta Go" – Louis
"Jesus, I Call Upon Your Name" – Hattie
"I Thank You" – Wallie
"I Need You" – Frank
"Winter Will Come (Pray In The Holy Ghost)" – Entire Cast except Diane
TV series adaptation
The play was very loosely adapted into The Haves and the Have Nots on Opray Winfrey's OWN television channel. Apart from featuring the lives of a wealthy family and their hired help, the series significantly differed from the play. The series featured entirely new fictional characters, situations and cast.
The television series quickly became one of OWN's most popular programs, pioneering scripted entertainment for that network. The show ran for 8 seasons from May 28, 2013 to July 20, 2021, on the Oprah Winfrey Network.