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 Berkeley Rep (2017) The musical premiered at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre in Berkeley, California, on August 31, 2017, with a press opening on September 14, 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) 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." '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
Los Angeles (2018) 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.McNulty, Charles. "Review: 'Ain't Too Proud,' the Broadway-bound musical about the Temptations: Sensational music, scattershot storytelling" Los Angeles Times, August 26, 2018
Toronto (2018) 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.Fricker, Karen. " 'Ain’t Too Proud' pays a busy, sometimes breathtaking tribute to the Temptations" The Star, October 17, 2018
Broadway (2019)
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.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 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. The production had its final performance on January 16, 2022.
U.S. Equity Tour (2021) 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.
West End (2023) A production began performances in the West End at the Prince Edward Theatre on March 31, 2023. The show closed at the Prince Edward Theatre on 17 September 2023. The show was originally set to run until 7 January 2024.
U.S. 2nd National Tour (2024) The non-union 2nd National Tour began performances at the CIBC Theatre in Chicago, Illinois on September 24, 2024. It played its final performance on July 27, 2025 at the Starlight Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri.
Characters and original cast Character Berkeley"Ain't Too Proud Casting" berkeleyrep.org Washington, DC Los Angeles Toronto BroadwayU.S. Equity Tour LondonU.S. 2nd National Tour201720182019202120232024 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-HolderKaila 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
Otis Williams: Nik Walker Eddie Kendricks: Jelani Remy Paul Williams: E. Clayton Cornelious David Ruffin: Matt Manuel, Corey Mekell Shelly Berger: Colin S. Kane
Musical numbers
Original Berkeley Rep production
"Ain't Too Proud to Beg" "All I Need" "Baby Love" "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World is Today)" "Cloud Nine" "Come See About Me" "Don't Look Back" "For Once in My Life" "Get Ready" "Gloria" "I Can't Get Next to You" "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)" "(I Know) I'm Losing You" "I Want a Love I Can See" "I Wish It Would Rain" "If You Don't Know Me by Now"
"I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" "In the Still of the Night" "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" "My Girl" "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" "Runaway Child, Running Wild" "Shout" "Since I Lost My Baby" "Speedo" "Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are)" "The Way You Do the Things You Do" "War" "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" "You Can't Hurry Love" "You're My Everything"
Original Broadway production
Act I "The Way You Do The Things You Do" "Runaway Child, Running Wild" "Gloria" "In The Still Of The Night"/"Speedo" "Shout" "I Want A Love I Can See" "My Girl" "Get Ready" Supremes Medley: "You Can't Hurry Love"/"Come See About Me"/"Baby Love" "Since I Lost My Baby " "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" "Don't Look Back"/"You're My Everything" "If I Could Build My Whole World Around You" "If You Don't Know Me By Now" "(I Know) I'm Losing You" "I Wish It Would Rain" "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)"
Act II "I Can't Get Next To You" "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" "War" "Ball Of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today)" "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)" "Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are)" "For Once In My Life" "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone", Pt. 1 "Cloud Nine" "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone", Pt. 2 "What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted" "I Can't Get Next To You"
Recording 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.
Awards and nominations Broadway production YearAwardCategoryNomineeResult2019Tony AwardsBest MusicalBest Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a MusicalDerrick BaskinBest Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a MusicalJeremy PopeEphraim SykesBest Book of a MusicalDominique MorisseauBest Direction of a MusicalDes McAnuffBest ChoreographySergio TrujilloBest Scenic Design in a MusicalRobert Brill & Peter NigriniBest Costume Design in a MusicalPaul TazewellBest Lighting Design in a MusicalHowell BinkleyBest Sound Design of a MusicalSteve Canyon KennedyBest OrchestrationsHarold WheelerDrama Desk AwardOutstanding Book of a MusicalDominique MorisseauOuter Critics Circle AwardsOutstanding ChoreographerSergio TrujilloOutstanding OrchestrationsHarold Wheeler Outstanding Featured Actor in a MusicalEphraim SykesDrama League AwardsOutstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway MusicalDistinguished Performance AwardJeremy PopeEphraim Sykes Broadway.com Audience Awards Favorite Breakthrough Performance (Male) Ephraim Sykes 2020Grammy AwardBest Musical Theater AlbumSaint Aubyn, Derrick Baskin, James Harkness, Jawan M. Jackson, Jeremy Pope & Ephraim Sykes (principal soloists); Scott M. Riesett (producer)
References
External links Internet Broadway Database