Wikipedia

Ain't Too Proud

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.

Ain't Too Proud
The Life and Times of The Temptations
Original Broadway Playbill
MusicThe Legendary Motown Catalog
BookDominique Morisseau
Basis"The Temptations"
by Otis Williams
PremiereAugust 31, 2017: Berkeley, CA
Productions2019 Broadway
2021 U.S. Tour
2023 West End
2024 U.S. 2nd National Tour

Productions

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Berkeley Rep (2017)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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At the Imperial Theatre

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]

U.S. Equity Tour (2021)

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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)

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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]

U.S. 2nd National Tour (2024)

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The non-union 2nd National Tour began performances at the CIBC Theatre in Chicago, Illinois on September 24, 2024.

Characters and original cast

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Character Berkeley[13] Washington, DC Los Angeles[14] Toronto[15] Broadway U.S. Equity Tour[16] London U.S. 2nd National Tour
2017 2018 2019 2021 2023 2024
Otis Williams Derrick Baskin Marcus Paul James Sifiso Mazibuko Rudy Foster
Melvin Franklin Jared Joseph Jawan M. Jackson Harrell Holmes Jr. Cameron Bernard Jones Jameson Clanton
Eddie Kendricks Jeremy Pope Jalen Harris Mitchell Zhangazha Lowes Moore
Paul Williams James Harkness James T. Lane Kyle Cox Bryce Valle
David Ruffin Ephraim Sykes Elijah Ahmad Lewis Tosh Wanogho-Maud Josiah Travis Kent Rogers
Al Bryant Jarvis B. Manning Jr. Brett Michael Lockley Michael James Stewart Robert Crenshaw
Tammi Terrell Nasia Thomas Shayla Brielle G. Evonnee Bentley-Holder Kaila Symone Crowder
Johnnie Mae Matthews Taylor Symone Jackson Traci Elaine Lee Sadie-Jean Shirley Reyanna Edwards
Berry Gordy Jahi Kearse Michael Andreaus Akmed Junior Khemalai Kerry D'Jovanni
Smokey Robinson Christian Thompson Lawrence Dandridge Ryan Carter Cedric Jamaal Greene
Diana Ross Candice Marie Woods Deri'Andra Tucker Holly Liburd Jasmine Barboa
Josephine Miles Rashidra Scott Najah Hetsberger Naomi Katiyo
Shelly Berger Jeremy Cohen Joshua Morgan Reed Campbell Dylan Turner Max Herskovitz
Dennis Edwards Caliaf St. Aubyn Harris Matthew Posi Morakinyo Jamal Stone
Richard Street E. Clayton Cornelious Devin Holloway Simeon Montague Mikey Corey Hassel
Lamont Shawn Bowers Gregory Carl Banks Jr. Toyan Thomas-Browne

Notable Cast Replacements

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  • Otis Williams: Nik Walker
  • Eddie Kendricks: Jelani Remy
  • Paul Williams: E. Clayton Cornelious
  • David Ruffin: Matt Manuel
  • Shelly Berger: Colin S. Kane

Musical numbers

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Original Berkeley Rep production

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Original Broadway production

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Recording

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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

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Broadway production

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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

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  1. ^ "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.
  2. ^ " 'Ain't Too Proud' Breaks Kennedy Center Box Office Record" broadwayworld.com, July 23, 2018
  3. ^ " 'Ain't Too Proud—The Life and Times of The Temptations' Kennedy Center" kennedy-center.org, accessed March 22, 2019
  4. ^ McNulty, Charles. "Review: 'Ain't Too Proud,' the Broadway-bound musical about the Temptations: Sensational music, scattershot storytelling" Los Angeles Times, August 26, 2018
  5. ^ Fricker, Karen. " 'Ain’t Too Proud' pays a busy, sometimes breathtaking tribute to the Temptations" The Star, October 17, 2018
  6. ^ Hipes, Patrick (October 2, 2018). "Temptations Musical 'Ain't Too Proud' Sets Broadway Dates". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  7. ^ 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
  8. ^ Clement, Olivia (May 12, 2020). "Check the Statuses of Broadway Shows During the Coronavirus Shutdown". Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ "Ain't Too Proud – Broadway Musical – Tour | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  11. ^ "The Temptations musical Ain't Too Proud to run in the West End | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. September 23, 2022. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  12. ^ "Ain't Too Proud to close at the West End's Prince Edward Theatre | West End Theatre". July 23, 2023.
  13. ^ "Ain't Too Proud Casting" berkeleyrep.org
  14. ^ "Cast Announced for 'Ain't Too Proud' at Ahmanson". Center Theatre Group. July 19, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  15. ^ "Ain't Too Proud Programme" (PDF). Mirvish. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  16. ^ "Ain't Too Proud – Broadway Musical – Tour | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ "2019 Tony Award Nominations Are Announced". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  19. ^ "Check out the 2019 Tony Award Nominees!". todaytix.com. April 30, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  20. ^ Lefkowitz, Andy (April 23, 2019). "Hadestown, Tootsie & Oklahoma! Lead 2019 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  21. ^ Lefkowitz, Andy (April 17, 2019). "Nominations Announced for 85th Annual Drama League Awards". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  22. ^ Evans, George (April 19, 2019). "'Be More Chill', 'Pretty Woman' Top Broadway's Audience Choice Awards". Broadway.com. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
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