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Why see Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations?

Now on tour!

As one of 2019's most sparkling Broadway musicals Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations hits the road for a national tour across the country. Gaining twelve 2019 Tony Award nominations (one of the season's most nominated productions) Ain't Too Proud received praise from the critics for its sublime performances and refreshing telling of how one of the world's most successful bands came to be.

Full to the brim with some of The Temptation's most iconic hits (My Girl, Papa was a Rolling Stone, Just My Imagination to name a few), Ain't Too Proud follows the rise of the five-piece from Detroit, from their humble beginnings and dud starts to international superstardom! Not a musical to shy away or sugarcoat some of the group's more distressing tales Ain't Too Proud is a glistening musical that celebrates life's triumphs and will leave you singing all the way home.

WHAT IS AIN'T TOO PROUD ABOUT?

Formed by five young guys from Detroit, vocal group The Temptations struggled for years to land a hit. Things turned around when they signed for Motown, and with legendary songwriters like Smokey Robinson writing them tunes, the group rose to become one of the biggest names in American music. But their path to superstardom was far from smooth sailing, with clashing personalities and political disagreements nearly tearing the group apart.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Temptations are still performing to this day, with Otis Williams the sole remaining original member.

Key Information

Run Time

Two hours and 30 minutes, including intermission

Dates

Finished Jan 1, 2023

Cast

Jalen Harris as Eddie Kendricks
Harrell Holmes Jr. as Melvin Franklin
E. Clayton Cornelious as Paul Williams
Michael Andreaus as Otis Williams
Elijah Ahmad Lewis as David Ruffin.

With
Brian C. Binion, Reggie Bromell, Felander, Shayla Brielle G., Ryan M. Hunt, Jeremy R. Kelsey, AJ Lockhart, Omar Madden, Dwayne P. Mitchell, Devin Price, Brittny Smith, Amber Mariah Talley, Nazarria Workman and Andrew Volzer

Creative

Book by Dominique Morisseau
Music and Lyrics from The Legendary Motown Catalog
Based on the book entitled The Temptations by Otis Williams
Music by arrangement with Sony/ATV Music Publishing
Scenic Design by Robert Brill
Costume Design by Paul Tazewell
Lighting Design by Howell Binkley
Sound Design by Steve Canyon Kennedy 
Projection Design by Peter Nigrini 
Hair and Wig Design by Charles G. LaPointe
Fight Director by Steve Rankin
Associate Choreographer by Edgar Godineaux
Music Coordinator: John Miller
Vocal Supervisor: Liz Caplan
Production Stage Manager: Molly Meg Legal
Resident Director: Drew Wildman Foster
Casting by Tara Rubin Casting and Merri Sugarman, C.S.A
General Management by Corker Group LLC and John Corker 
Technical Supervisor: Hudson Theatrical Associates 
Orchestration by Harold Wheeler
Music Direction and Arrangements by Kenny Seymour
Choreographed by Sergio Trujillo
Direct by Des McAnuff 

Awards

Tony Awards 2019 - Wins

Best Choreography - Sergio Trujillo

Tony Awards, 2019 - Nominations

Best New Musical
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical - Derrick Baskin
Best Book of a Musical - Dominque Morisseau
Best Direction of a Musical - Des McAnuff
Best Performance of a Featured Actor in a Musical - Jeremy Pope
Best Performance of a Featured Actor in a Musical - Ephraim Sykes
Best Choreography - Sergio Trujillo
Best Orchestrations - Harold Wheeler
Best Scenic Design of a Musical - Robert Bril and Peter Nigrini
Best Costume Design of a Musical - Paul Tazewell
Best Sound Design of a Musical - Steve Canyon Kennedy
Best Lighting Design of a Musical - Howell Binkley


DRAMA LEAGUE AWARDS, 2019 - NOMINATIONS

Distinguished Performance Award - Jeremy Pope
Outstanding Production of a Broadway or off-Broadway Musical

Reviews

Customer reviews

29 reviews, average rating: (4.7 Stars)

Theater Fan

Fabulous show

What a great show. The "Temps" had people dancing, singing, and clapping in their seats. The music and choreography were fabulous. And I learned a lot about the Temptations history. 5 stars for sure! ... Read more

P Ross

Winter evaporates with the high energy glow of this performance

First concert I saw at the age of 14 was The Temptations at The Valley Forge Music Fair and the feeling was back in full force at this performance. I read the book, saw the TV mini series, but the theater performance fleshes out the story with more humor than the other renderings of their story. I can’t give enough praise to the entire cast, some of whom have been with the show before and others who have not. The strength and purity of their voices is stunning. They put so much spot on effort into the songs and fresh choreography of The Temps style and sound you easily believe you are watching actual members of the group. They really do take you there. You will cry, there are many well played poignant reminders of the prices they all paid for their success yet you are left with great positivity and will,without a doubt, be listening to a lot of Temptations deep cuts after going to the show. See it! Maybe even twice. ... Read more

TC

Amazing

We did see this in NYC a few years ago and jumped at the opportunity to see in again. Such a wonderful company. The music is amazing but the story behind one of the greats groups around is moving. Highly recommend this musical. ... Read more

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