An Evening with Blair Underwood - A Soldier's Wife Book Talk & Madea's Family Reunion

Name: An Evening with Blair Underwood - A Soldier's Wife Book Talk & Madea's Family Reunion
Genre: Drama
Released: 2026-04-17
Duration: 2 h 30 min
Cast: Tyler Perry, Rochelle Aytes, Lisa Arrindell

Meet and Greet start at 6pm In this moving biography and memoir, Blair Underwood, acclaimed star of film, stage, and television, pays homage to his mother, sharing her well-lived life, and key lessons learned as a fashion designer, mother, and soldier’s wife. A Cappella Books welcomes Underwood to The Plaza Theatre in honor of his new book, "A Soldier's Wife: My Mother, the Marvelous Mrs. Marilyn A. Underwood" on Friday April 17th, at 7 PM. He’ll appear in conversation with Tanya Sam, founder of Tanya Time, a national book club focused on building community through shared reading experiences. Each ticket will include a presigned copy of "A Soldier's Wife." VIP tickets include a pre-event meet and greet and a signing line with Blair Underwood from 6-7 PM. Following the conversation, The Plaza will host a screening of one of Underwood’s most popular films, "Madea's Family Reunion." A note on the THREE types of tickets available for this event: VIP TICKET: Includes a copy of "A Soldier's Wife," admission to our pre-show meet and greet and personal book signing with Blair Underwood, and preferred seating for the book talk and film screening. BOOK TALK TICKET: Includes a presigned copy of "A Soldier's Wife," and admission for the 7 PM book talk. MOVIE TICKET: Admission to the 8 PM screening of "Madea's Family Reunion," which includes an intro by Blair Underwood. If you would like to attend the book talk and screening, you may purchase those tickets individually.  Please note: Although tickets are non-refundable, if you cannot attend the book talk, your ticket still entitles you to a signed copy of the book. A Cappella Books will hold your book for one month from the event date. You may pick it up in-store or call us to request shipping. About the Book Born in Buffalo, New York, Marilyn Ann Scales Underwood dreamed of becoming a fashion designer. Moving to New York City to study at the Traphagen School of Fashion, she became an assistant designer and eventually returned to her hometown where she began her career as the first Black female executive at Barmon Brothers Company. Independent and content with being single, she wasn’t interested in marriage until she met Lieutenant Frank Underwood. Blair Underwood honors his mother with this remarkable work, bringing into sharp focus her life as a soldier's wife, mother, and successful entrepreneur, drawn from his memories, her letters, and interviews with family and friends. Told thematically, organized around essential pillars, Underwood gently peels back the layers of his mother’s life and character to reveal highly, triumphant, and sometimes-scary moments told in Marilyn’s warm and witty voice that connects with readers. Painting a wonderfully rich and deeply human portrait of a woman whose indelible mark is felt by all privileged to know her. About the Author Blair Underwood is a Tony and two-time Golden Globe nominee, and an Emmy, Grammy, Peabody, and eight-time NAACP Image Award–winning actor, director, and producer. Underwood has starred in numerous film, television, and stage productions, including “Sex and the City,” “Set It Off,” “Madea’s Family Reunion,” “Longlegs,” “L.A. Law,” and “Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C. J. Walker.” He lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. About the Conversation Partner  Tanya Sam is an entrepreneur, angel investor, media personality, and passionate champion of storytelling and community. She is the co-founder of Elizabeth & Minnie Publishing, an independent publishing house created with Jeanell English to amplify bold, underrepresented voices, especially stories by women and communities historically left out of traditional publishing. They are currently accepting fiction submissions, Tanya is also the founder of Tanya Time Book Club, a vibrant literary community that brings readers together through dynamic conversations, live events, and immersive travel experiences. Beyond the literary world, she has spent years supporting women and minority founders through her work in startups and investing, mentoring more than 60 companies and backing over 50 businesses that have collectively generated more than $100 million in revenue. She is an avid runner and marathonerDramaPT2H30MPG-132026-04-17

Tyler Perry

Rochelle Aytes

Lisa Arrindell

Tyler Perry

Roger M. Bobb

Reuben Cannon

Mike Upton

Justin Bones

An Evening with Blair Underwood - A Soldier's Wife Book Talk & Madea's Family Reunion"An Evening with Blair Underwood - A Soldier's Wife Book Talk & Madea's Family Reunion"

Showtimes

April 17, 7:00 pm