Ain't Too Proud Officially Heading to Broadway

[cryan71]

Great show! It will run for years. Don't listen to the bitter queens.

[CPannullo]

this is not looking like a great season for musicals

[VintageSnarker]

JBroadway said: "Not sure why you all are so upset. Every time another one of these jukebox musicals fills up a Broadway theatre, I breathe a sigh of relief knowing that's another $40+ I DON'T have to spend on a rush ticket this year! This trend is making Broadway a lot more manageable for me!"

Ha! Same. Though I do like Derrick Baskin and I might be tempted to sit through this for the songs even if the book is unremarkable.

[broadwaysfguy]

This is a very, very good musical, and I enjoyed every minute. I saw it three times in Berkeley. It got very strong reviews overall in the bay area, and set records at the venue. Derek Baskin the lead is incredible.

incredible, stunning performances, amazing choreography and costumes, some of the worlds best music ever, a solid book (for a biopic) and a lot of heart, sweat and soul.

give this one a chance, folks-especially if you like soul and motown musical. its infinitely better than Motown was, and I think its nearly as good as Beautiful and much better than any biopics ive seen except for Beautiful and Jersey Boys....

My way too early prediction tony-wise is nominations for best: musical, director, choreography, sound, costumes, supporting actor (the ruffin character) lighting and design. and (gasp) raisedonmusicals is right it could win best musical, but I think hadestown probably has that locked if its opening this season

 

 

[jmuep]

I saw this last night in LA and words can’t even describe how bad I thought it was. One of the worst three shows I’ve ever seen in my life. Some of the acting was worse than an elementary school holiday pageant. The choreography wasn’t much better. They packed 31 numbers into the show and it was exhausting. And yet for all that music, everything sounded the same and they were still unable to find a compelling story. When they got to the end and were listing all the reasons why the Temptations were important — I thought — that’s sounds like a fascinating story. Why didn’t I see any of that?

I’m sure it didn’t help that I just got back from London where I saw TINA — which for me is the new standard bearer on how to do a juxebox bio musical and make it interesting  I wish that were transferring instead  

I hated SUMMER, but I would watch it over and over before I ever suffered through this pile of garbage ever again. SUMMER was boring and short. This was atrocious and epically long. I definitely ain’t too proud to beg that I never have to see another moment of this show for as long as I live. 

[zainmax]

Hard to believe this is worse than Summer. But, at least, Summer has Summer's songs.

[RippedMan]

I think this will def. be a hit. I mean it's blown-out box offices at every venue it has played. I think the Imperial seems rather large though. I mean should a theater that house Les Miz house this show? It is it a big show? I mean Motown found an audience - I do wonder why it didn't do well the second time around. 

[bear88]

I saw it at the Berkeley Rep, so I can't comment on the changes since then. Some of the criticisms are fair, and Ain't Too Proud had a disappointing book and too many songs, leaving little room for a compelling story. The lead character, while well acted, is kind of a bore. And it's a paint-by-numbers jukebox musical that left me somewhat disappointed that it didn't try to be more than that.

But taken on its own terms, it's a very entertaining show. The songs, performances, and choreography are all first-rate, and Ehpraim Sykes runs off with the musical for a while as a compelling David Ruffin. My wife and 18-year-old daughter loved it. 

The Imperial doesn't seem like the best choice for the show, as I think it would have been better off in a smaller venue. My prediction here is worth nothing, but my guess is that it turns out to be a modest success. It has a decent chance at a couple of Tonys, especially for choreography, and it's enough of a crowd pleaser to overcome what I assume will be mixed reviews to do well on word of mouth. 

[brdwybound04]

Does anyone have any realistic clue when his will likely start its previews??? I’m guessing January or February??

[bdn223]

I guess Tina officially isn’t transferring this season now.
Add to that I think if we called the 2017-2018 the season of the theme park musical , 2018-2019 is officially the season of the jukebox. We already have Head over Heels, and The Cher Show, now Ain’t to Proud, Jagged Little Pill looks likely to transfer, King Kong was originally supposed to be a jukebox, if the Crazy for You revival opens that would make it 5. Am I missing any others that are circling Broadway at the monent?

[ggersten]

bdn223 said: "I guess Tina officially isn’t transferring this season now.
Add to that I think if we called the 2017-2018 the season of the theme park musical , 2018-2019 is officially the season of the jukebox. We already have Head over Heels, and The Cher Show, now Ain’t to Proud, Jagged Little Pill looks likely to transfer, King Kong was originally supposed to be a jukebox, if the Crazy for You revival opens that would make it 5. Am I missing any others that are circling Broadway at the monent?"

Moulin Rouge could open this season.  But will that be considered a movie adaptation or a jukebox musical?

 

[IdinaBellFoster]

ggersten said: "bdn223 said: "I guess Tina officially isn’t transferring this season now.
Add to that I think if we called the 2017-2018 the season of the theme park musical , 2018-2019 is officially the season of the jukebox. We already have Head over Heels, and The Cher Show, now Ain’t to Proud, Jagged Little Pill looks likely to transfer, King Kong was originally supposed to be a jukebox, if the Crazy for You revival opens that would make it 5. Am I missing any others that are circling Broadway at the monent?"

Moulin Rouge could open this season. But will that be considered a movie adaptation or a jukebox musical?"

Both, technically.

I find jukebox shows more of an issue than movie adaptions. Who cares where the idea comes from? Just make it a great musical with a good book that isn't the screenplay on stage and great score.

[lightguy06222]

New Yorkers will eat it up.

 

I saw the second preview in LA.  it needs some trims.  it needs some tightening, but when they sing a song the audience knows well, its like magic in the theatre.

[DAME]

cryan71 said: "Great show! It will run for years. Don't listen to the bitter queens."

I guess I am one of the bitter queens.  I saw this Wednesday night.  I had fun.  But it is a mediocre and very forgetful show.  The book meanders.  And I didn't find the story very compelling.  Sure the music is good.  but it isn't enough.  Also found a couple of the leads to be bland and some of their voices a little tired.  The theater was half empty,  But the crowd that was there was very appreciative ( and very chatty). 

[BroadwayNYC2]

Calling out a bad book isn't being a bitter queen. 

[jmuep]

bwaylinds said: "This is playing near me in Los Angeles and tickets are available for $39 on today tix. Worth it?"

Only if they are laying you $39 and you’re a complete masochist. 

[NYCblurb]

Illusionist is good fun for the holidays me thinks.

Nobody else agree on this one?

[robskynyc]

Miles2Go2 said: "Ain’t Too Proud somehow feels like Motown: The Musical redux, at least to me. "

 

Same. 

 

[RippedMan]

This will 100% be a hit, but man, this season doesn't do much for me as a musical theater actor. Same as last season. I guess Broadway really is turning into movie adaptions and juxebox shows. You'd think after Hamilton, DEH, The Band's Visit, Book fo Mormon, Spelling Bee, Light in the Piazza, Come From Away, Fun Home, we might get some exciting shows that are either new or adaptions of things that aren't money grabs (like Pretty Woman), but alas.... 

[DAME]

RippedMan said: "This will 100% be a hit, but man, this season doesn't do much for me as a musical theater actor. Same as last season. I guess Broadway really is turning into movie adaptions and juxebox shows. You'd think after Hamilton, DEH, The Band's Visit, Book fo Mormon, Spelling Bee, Light in the Piazza, Come From Away, Fun Home, we might get some exciting shows that are either new or adaptions of things that aren't money grabs (like Pretty Woman), but alas...."

Not really sure what makes you come to the conclusion it will be a hit.  I’ve already forgotten most of the show .  And besides it being mediocre at best ;  on Wednesday night the theater was half empty and most people that were there were comped or heavily discounted. 

[everythingtaboo]

ggersten said: "bdn223 said: "I guess Tina officially isn’t transferring this season now.
Add to that I think if we called the 2017-2018 the season of the theme park musical , 2018-2019 is officially the season of the jukebox. We already have Head over Heels, and The Cher Show, now Ain’t to Proud, Jagged Little Pill looks likely to transfer, King Kong was originally supposed to be a jukebox, if the Crazy for You revival opens that would make it 5. Am I missing any others that are circling Broadway at the monent?"

Moulin Rouge could open this season. But will that be considered a movie adaptation or a jukebox musical?

"

So far, everyone involved in Moulin Rouge! has said that they aren't coming until summer 2019. Of course, that could always change with the right deal, but I'd rather them take the time to work on the problems with the book. 

As for TINA, Michael Riedel said plans were for fall 2019. 

So basically, we're stuck with The Temptations for now. 

[YvanEhtNioj]

One of my best friends was in one of the tryouts for the show. I told him, like most of you, I didnt see the point since we already have Motown. He says that the main difference and why this show is better is because it's gritty and gives you the full truth, whereas Motown is Berry Gordy's "everything was always good and i didnt do any wrong" version of the story. 

[YvanEhtNioj]

I'm not sure if it'll be a hit, but I will say growing up in a black household, The Temptations biopic was ALWAYS on my TV. So i think a lot of people from my community will go see the show based just off of that, even ones who aren't really into musicals. 

[bwaylinds]

Didn't realize this was part of the Ahmanson's 2018-19 season so I have tickets to this. Curious as to how I'll like it because I'm not very familiar with the Temptation's music. I am however a big fan of Ephraim Sykes so I'm excited to see him in this.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Goodness, it's amazing how this particular show gets such vitrolic reactions.  I'll be Switzerland and say just give the show a chance.