Ain't Too Proud
| Ain't Too Proud | |
|---|---|
| The Life and Times of The Temptations | |
 Original Broadway Playbill | |
| Music | The Temptations |
| Lyrics | The Temptations |
| Book | Dominique Morisseau |
| Basis | The life and songs of The Temptations |
| Premiere | August 31, 2017 |
| Productions | 2019 Broadway 2021 U.S. Tour 2023 West End |
Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations is a 2017 jukebox musical with music and lyrics by The Temptations and a book by Dominique Morisseau. Based on the story of The Temptations, the musical had a series of regional productions and opened at Broadway's Imperial Theatre in March 2019.
Productions[edit]
Berkeley Rep (2017)[edit]
The musical premiered at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre in Berkeley, California, on August 31, 2017, with a press opening on September 14,[1] for a limited engagement until November 5, 2017. The production was directed by Des McAnuff and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo. The production's design team included scenery by Robert Brill, costumes by Paul Tazewell, lighting by Howell Binkley, sound by Steve Canyon Kennedy, and projections by Peter Nigrini. The musical was originally set to play through October 8; but was later extended through October 22; and ultimately through November 5. The musical was the highest-grossing production in the theatre's history.
Washington, DC (2018)[edit]
Following its run at Berkeley Rep, the show moved to the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC where it ran from June 19, 2018, through July 22, 2018.[2][3]
Los Angeles (2018)[edit]
Following its run at the Kennedy Center, the show moved to the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, California where it ran from August 21, 2018, through September 30, 2018.[4]
Toronto (2018)[edit]
Following its run at the Ahmanson, the show moved to the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto, Ontario where it ran from October 11, 2018, through November 17, 2018.[5]
Broadway (2019)[edit]
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The musical opened on Broadway in 2019 at the Imperial Theatre, with previews beginning February 28, 2019 and an opening night on March 21, 2019.[6][7] As of March 12, 2020, the show suspended production due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On May 10, 2021, it was announced that the show would return to Broadway with a gala performance on October 16.[8] The production had its final performance on January 16, 2022.[9]
US Equity Tour (2021)[edit]
It was announced on May 31, 2019, that the national equity tour would kick off in July 2020 at the Providence Performing Arts Center in Providence, Rhode Island. The premiere was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It opened at the Durham Performing Arts Center in Durham, North Carolina on December 7, 2021. It played its final performance on March 3, 2024, at the Saenger Theater in New Orleans, Louisiana.[10]
West End (2023)[edit]
A production began performances in the West End at the Prince Edward Theatre on March 31, 2023.[11] The show closed at the Prince Edward Theatre on 17 September 2023. The show was originally set to run until 7 January 2024.[12]
Characters and original cast[edit]
| Character | Berkeley[13] | Washington, DC | Los Angeles[14] | Toronto[15] | Broadway | U.S. Equity Tour[16] | London |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2021 | 2023 | |||
| Otis Williams | Derrick Baskin | Marcus Paul James | Sifiso Mazibuko | ||||
| Melvin Franklin | Jared Joseph | Jawan M. Jackson | Harrell Holmes Jr. | Cameron Bernard Jones | |||
| Eddie Kendricks | Jeremy Pope | Jalen Harris | Mitchell Zhangazha | ||||
| Paul Williams | James Harkness | James T. Lane | Kyle Cox | ||||
| David Ruffin | Ephraim Sykes | Elijah Ahmad Lewis | Tosh Wanogho-Maud | ||||
| Al Bryant | Jarvis B. Manning Jr. | Brett Michael Lockley | Michael James Stewart | ||||
| Tammi Terrell | Nasia Thomas | Shayla Brielle G. | Evonnee Bentley-Holder | ||||
| Johnnie Mae Matthews | Taylor Symone Jackson | Traci Elaine Lee | Sadie-Jean Shirley | ||||
| Berry Gordy | Jahi Kearse | Michael Andreaus | Akmed Junior Khemalai | ||||
| Smokey Robinson | Christian Thompson | Lawrence Dandridge | Ryan Carter | ||||
| Diana Ross | Candice Marie Woods | Deri'Andra Tucker | Holly Liburd | ||||
| Josephine Miles | Rashidra Scott | Najah Hetsberger | Naomi Katiyo | ||||
| Shelly Berger | Jeremy Cohen | Joshua Morgan | Reed Campbell | Dylan Turner | |||
| Dennis Edwards | Caliaf St. Aubyn | Harris Matthew | Posi Morakinyo | ||||
| Richard Street | E. Clayton Cornelious | Devin Holloway | Simeon Montague | ||||
| Lamont | Shawn Bowers | Gregory Carl Banks Jr. | Toyan Thomas-Browne | ||||
Synopsis[edit]
Act I[edit]
As the show opens, we see the classic five Temptations in their glory, singing one of their classic hits (“The Way You Do The Things You Do”). When the song finishes, Otis Williams begins telling the story of how The Temptations began as five “youngbloods from Detroit” with Southern roots. Otis explains his background raised by his strict grandmothers in Texarkana and how his later lack of obedience got him into trouble (“Runaway Child, Running Wild”). After a short 6 month stint in juvenile detention, Otis figures there needs to be another way and finds his salvation in music (”Gloria”).
Otis imagines himself singing on stage (“In The Still of the Night”), settles into his first doo wop group with Al Bryant and searches out a good bass with Melvin Franklin. After enticing Melvin and convincing his mother Mama Rose to allow him to join, Otis invites Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams from The Primes (“Speedo”) to join his group. By assuring them that credit and compensation will be equal, Otis sways Paul and Eddie to join and the group is finalized (“Shout’). As they begin their tours around Detroit however, Otis has a dispute with their manager Johnnie Mae over contracts and payments so they part ways.
Now called “The Elgins,” they get a big break when Berry Gordy agrees to give them a chance but with a new name. The band mates discuss options and announce to Mr. Gordy that they’ll be known as “The Temptations.” Berry Gordy introduces them to Smokey Robinson who will write their tunes and shape their sound (“I Want a Love I Can See”). Paul develops some smooth dance moves and teaches it to the guys to complete their act. While backstage at a gig, tensions flare when Al insists on more encores and gets physical with Paul. Al is forced out of the group and Otis starts the search for a new lead singer.
David Ruffin appears singing the classic Temptations’ tune (“My Girl”) as Otis explains their experiences growing up in the same neighborhood. While Otis and David recollect backstage, Otis asks David to be their new lead and David enthusiastically agrees. Thus, the five classic Temptations are formed. Otis explains their new brotherhood, group chemistry and nicknames. Berry Gordy excitedly announces that “My Girl” is number one and the boys celebrate. The Temptations’ career takes off (“Get Ready”). Otis appeals toBerry Gordy about writing songs, but he’s instructed to focus on the group and let Motown handle the rest. Otis agrees to put that dream aside to help The Temptations achieve fame. Flush with success, The Temptations train their eyes on the top spot at Motown occupied by the Supremes (“You Can’t Hurry Love,” “Come See About Me,” “Baby Love”). Otis explains that with their rapidly changing musical lives came romantic difficulties and entanglements on the road (“Since I Lost My Baby”). Otis details his relationship with Josephine, their rush to marry once she’s pregnant, and their altercations about his life on the road.
Berry Gordy introduces The Temptations to their new manager, Shelly Berger, who will be able toget them more mainstream exposure and crossover success. After initial hesitation, the group agrees to take this next step. With their developing fame, complications with drug use and ego start affecting the group, especially David Ruffin. Gordy transitions them to songwriter Norman Whitfield who takes the group in new directions with his songs (“Ain’t Too Proud to Beg”). Even with their increasing success, the group faces discrimination and violence when they play gigs down South (“Don’t Look Back”) which angers the group, but they push on (“You’re My Everything”).
The romantic relationship that David and Tammi Terrell establish (“If I Could Build My Whole World Around You”) becomes abusive as David struggles with his inner demons. Josephine confronts Otis about his family responsibilities and their fractured relationship (“If You Don’t Know Me By Now”). David Ruffin’s excessive lateness and egocentrism start growing out of control (“I’m Losing You”). While struggling with personal dynamics, the group also clashes over how to confront, as musicians, the growing civil unrest in the country and in their beloved Detroit.
The group is further stunned by news of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination and, later, the premature death of Tammi Terrell (“I Wish It Would Rain”). When David Ruffin misses a major gig, Otis rallies the group to decide his fate and the group reluctantly decides to terminate his contract with The Temptations. An outraged David rails at Otis and protests the group’s decision, believing that they couldn’t possibly go on without him (“I Could Never Love Another After Loving You”).
Act II[edit]
Having replaced David Ruffin with Dennis Edwards, The Temptations are back to their tremendous success (“I Can’t Get Next to You”) with less ego and shenanigans, yet Ruffin appears from time to time at concerts and sneaks his way onstage. Despite Eddie’s suggestion that Ruffin be allowed back in the group, Shelly announces he’ll prevent Ruffin’s further interruptions. Otis focuses on moving forward with The Temptations sharing the spotlight with The Supremes on Motown’s first television special (“I’m Gonna Make You Love Me”).
The group struggles to balance their soaring popularity and record material confronting the issues of the day as the song (“War”) intended for them is passed on to another artist who scores a hit. The Temptations record their own song of protest (“Ball of Confusion (That’s What The World is Today)”). As they protest the times, Eddie suggests they protest their current Motown contract with a strike, which Otis diffuses.
The Temptations continue their personal struggles; Paul with his drinking and Otis with his strained relationship with Josephine and Lamont. Paul’s health declines to the point where he needs to be assisted and later replaced by Richard Street. Eddie confronts Otis about Paul’s departure and Otis’ seemingly singular management of the group and later leaves the group for good (“Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)”).
As The Temptations add Damon Harris to replace Eddie, Ruffin and Hendricks break out on their solo careers (“Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are”). Otis conducts a strained conversation with his son Lamont as he tries to revive their relationship.
Paul pleas with Otis to return to the group, but Otis is reluctant to break the doctors’ orders and cause Paul harm, (“For Once in My Life). Later, a bereft Paul takes his own life. At the funeral, Melvin and Otis affirm their deep friendship. Melvin tells Otis about his issues with arthritis yet assures him the cortisone shots will keep him going on the road.
Conflict continues to arise as Dennis gets temperamental and songwriter Norman Whitfield belittles the Temps in an interview while continuing to take new musical risks with them. The group records a new Whitfield composition under duress that becomes a hit (“Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone”).
Kendricks and Ruffin create a rival Temptations group which angers Otis at first until they decide to create a reunion tour (“Cloud Nine”). While initially rekindling old friendships and feelings, the tour’s progression revives old problems and personality conflicts, culminating in Otis’ confrontation with the group upon discovering them huddled together free-basing cocaine.
Reflecting on his experiences on tour, Otis reminisces about the many great men he knew and lost while leading The Temptations: David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, and Melvin Franklin. Otis then drifts into the memory of losing his son Lamont to a construction accident.
As he looks back on the long and storied history of The Temptations (“What Becomes of the Brokenhearted”) Otis ponders their lasting impact and their legacy of music that will live forever.
Musical numbers[edit]
Original Berkeley Rep production[edit]
Original Broadway production[edit]
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Recording[edit]
The original Broadway cast recording of Ain't Too Proud was recorded January 19–22, 2019 at Sound on Sound Studios, Montclair, NJ, and digitally released on March 22, 2019. The physical album released on April 19, and a double-LP vinyl was released on June 7.[17]
Awards and nominations[edit]
Broadway production[edit]
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Tony Awards[18][19] | Best Musical | Nominated | |
| Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical | Derrick Baskin | Nominated | ||
| Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical | Jeremy Pope | Nominated | ||
| Ephraim Sykes | Nominated | |||
| Best Book of a Musical | Dominique Morisseau | Nominated | ||
| Best Direction of a Musical | Des McAnuff | Nominated | ||
| Best Choreography | Sergio Trujillo | Won | ||
| Best Scenic Design in a Musical | Robert Brill & Peter Nigrini | Nominated | ||
| Best Costume Design in a Musical | Paul Tazewell | Nominated | ||
| Best Lighting Design in a Musical | Howell Binkley | Nominated | ||
| Best Sound Design of a Musical | Steve Canyon Kennedy | Nominated | ||
| Best Orchestrations | Harold Wheeler | Nominated | ||
| Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Book of a Musical | Dominique Morisseau | Nominated | |
| Outer Critics Circle Awards[20] | Outstanding Choreographer | Sergio Trujillo | Nominated | |
| Outstanding Orchestrations | Harold Wheeler | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Ephraim Sykes | Nominated | ||
| Drama League Awards[21] | Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical | Nominated | ||
| Distinguished Performance Award | Jeremy Pope | Nominated | ||
| Ephraim Sykes | Nominated | |||
| Broadway.com Audience Awards[22] | Favorite Breakthrough Performance (Male) | Ephraim Sykes | Won | |
| 2020 | Grammy Award | Best Musical Theater Album | Saint Aubyn, Derrick Baskin, James Harkness, Jawan M. Jackson, Jeremy Pope & Ephraim Sykes (principal soloists); Scott M. Riesett (producer) | Nominated |
References[edit]
- ^ "Berkeley Rep Announces Full Casting and Creative Team for World Premiere of Ain't Too Proud—The Life and Times of The Temptations" (PDF) (Press release). Berkeley Repertory Theatre. July 13, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
- ^ " 'Ain't Too Proud' Breaks Kennedy Center Box Office Record" broadwayworld.com, July 23, 2018
- ^ " 'Ain't Too Proud—The Life and Times of The Temptations' Kennedy Center" kennedy-center.org, accessed March 22, 2019
- ^ McNulty, Charles. "Review: 'Ain't Too Proud,' the Broadway-bound musical about the Temptations: Sensational music, scattershot storytelling" Los Angeles Times, August 26, 2018
- ^ Fricker, Karen. " 'Ain’t Too Proud' pays a busy, sometimes breathtaking tribute to the Temptations" The Star, October 17, 2018
- ^ Hipes, Patrick (October 2, 2018). "Temptations Musical 'Ain't Too Proud' Sets Broadway Dates". Deadline.com. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
- ^ Hetrick, Adam; McPhee, Ryan. "Read the Reviews for Broadway’s 'Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations'" playbill, March 21, 2019
- ^ Clement, Olivia (May 12, 2020). "Check the Statuses of Broadway Shows During the Coronavirus Shutdown". Retrieved May 29, 2020.
- ^ Lang, Brent (December 28, 2021). "'Ain't Too Proud' Becomes Latest Broadway Musical to Close as COVID Hits Theater Business Hard". Variety. Archived from the original on December 28, 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
- ^ "Ain't Too Proud – Broadway Musical – Tour | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ "The Temptations musical Ain't Too Proud to run in the West End | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. September 23, 2022. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
- ^ "Ain't Too Proud to close at the West End's Prince Edward Theatre | West End Theatre". July 23, 2023.
- ^ "Ain't Too Proud Casting" berkeleyrep.org
- ^ "Cast Announced for 'Ain't Too Proud' at Ahmanson". Center Theatre Group. July 19, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
- ^ "Ain't Too Proud Programme" (PDF). Mirvish. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
- ^ "Ain't Too Proud – Broadway Musical – Tour | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (February 28, 2019). "Ain't Too Proud, Broadway's New Temptations Musical, Will Release a Cast Album in March". Playbill. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
- ^ "2019 Tony Award Nominations Are Announced". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
- ^ "Check out the 2019 Tony Award Nominees!". todaytix.com. April 30, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
- ^ Lefkowitz, Andy (April 23, 2019). "Hadestown, Tootsie & Oklahoma! Lead 2019 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
- ^ Lefkowitz, Andy (April 17, 2019). "Nominations Announced for 85th Annual Drama League Awards". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
- ^ Evans, George (April 19, 2019). "'Be More Chill', 'Pretty Woman' Top Broadway's Audience Choice Awards". Broadway.com. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
