Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations
Broadway In Chicago's first National Tour of Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations is here, and its show-stopping thrilling performance brings that Motown magic you don't want to miss! It's magnificent! This Tony-winning Broadway musical, now playing at the Broadway Cadillac Palace Theatre, is an exhilarating blast from the past that will have you dancing in your seat.
The Temptations, Motown's most famous vocal group from Detroit, Michigan, released a series of successful singles and albums during the 60s and 70s. They have received five Grammy Awards and were nominated for nine Grammys, including the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award and Soul Trains awards for Best R&B/Soul Album - Group, Band, or Duo. Formerly known as the Elgins, their career dramatically changed when their manager dumped them after Otis questioned their financial arrangement. A name change and a bathroom meeting with Berry Gordy changed five male vocalists and dancers' lives forever.
The Temptations went on to thrill the world with their precision dance moves and exceptional harmony. Yet, throughout their turbulent career, which reached incredible highs and excruciating periods of lows, The Temptations is historically considered one of the prominent R&B groups.
As a singer myself, I have never been satisfied with the acoustic and speakers at Cadillac Theatre, which can kill the overall rich performance. Still, Broadway in Chicago's AIN'T TOO PROUD does an excellent job of telling the story through the eyes of the founder of the group, Otis Williams. From their early years, how they met, the members who joined and left the group, how individual selfishness and conflicts threatened the group brotherhood and unity and how they passed. A true-to-life account highlighted through their cherished hits provides electrifying, high-energy singing and dancing while telling a thorough and provocative story.
Masterfully narrated by Marcus Paul James, who plays Otis Williams, Ain't Too Proud details Otis's search to bring together the perfect group. We learned how he met Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams, two teenagers who started their singing careers from church. His discussion with Blue's (Melvin Franklin) mother and how David Ruffin joined the group through mutual admiration.
“AIN’T TOO PROUD has that Motown magic you don’t want to miss! It’s magnificent! ”
The audience gets to relive memorable songs like "Ball of Confusion, "I Can't Get Next to You," Cloud Nine" (Harris Matthew and rest of the Temptations), "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)." In addition, Eddie Ruffin hits "(I Know) I'm Losing You"(Elijah Ahmad Lewis and the rest of the Temptations) and "Ain't Too Proud to Beg." Ain't Too Proud also delights the audience with songs from the Supremes, "Baby Love" and Come See About Me" - (Deri'Andra Tucker, Traci Elaine Lee, Shayla Brielle G). With over 30 featured songs, it's a night of unforgettable music.
Jalen Harris (Eddie Kendricks), Harrell Holmes Jr.(Melvin Franklin), Marcus Paul James(Otis Williams), James T. Lane(Paul Williams), and Elijah Ahmad Lewis(David Ruffin) overall performances were superb. Other great performances come from Najah Hetsberger (Josephine), Traci Elane Lee ( Johnnie Mae and Mary Wilson), Shayla Brielle G. (Mama Rose, Florence Ballard, and Tammi Terell ), and Brett Michael Lockley (Al Bryant and Norman Whitfield)
The play, which is from the book by Dominique Morrisseau, is based on the book entitled The Temptations by Otis Williams with Patricia Romanowski, sharing the pivotal career change for the Temptations with the help of 55-year veteran of the entertainment industry, Shelly Berger. Berger (Reed Campbell) served as a manager to Williams and the Temptations for 42 years and contributed to a book about the group. With their signature dance moves and unmistakable harmonies, they rose to the top of the charts creating Top Ten Hits, with many reaching number one.
From costume and hair and wig design to choreography, scenic, and the overall production of this play, this touring cast, directed by Des McAnuff, choreographed by Sergio Trujillo with music supervised and arranged Kenny Seymour, is two and an hour hours of pure delight.
Let's Play Theatrical Review Highly Recommends, AIN'T TOO PROUD - The Life and Times of The Temptations.
Cadillac Palace
Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations
Book by Dominique Morisseau
Directed by Des McAnuff
Choreographed by Sergio Trujillo
Music and Lyrics by The Legendary Motown Catalog
MAY 24 - JUNE 5, 2022
