Tyler Perry on directing his 1st script, 27 years later

Tyler Perry, writer/director of the film "A Jazzman's Blues," poses for a portrait during the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival. (Courtesy/AP)

Tyler Perry has directed his first screenplay, 27 years after writing it.

"A Jazzman's Blues," which is premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival, was Perry's first stab at screenwriting long before Madea made him a media mogul, back when he was pouring what little money he had into less successful Atlanta stage shows.