Ain't Too Proud Reviews

[Mike Barrett]

Post em as they come in! Expecting solid ones for this. Probably nothing too glowing other than for performers but Id expect decent reviews here.

[RaisedOnMusicals]

You’re more optimistic about the reviews than I am. I think they’ll be mixed to negative, only because it’s in vogue these days for critic’s to voice their displeasure with jukeboxers. But, the show is incredibly entertaining and the sales seem to be strong, so hopefully it’s critic proof and will be carried on strong word of mouth. But I hope I’m wrong about the reviews and that we’ll see some really good ones. I do anticipate lots of praise for the choreography. 

[Mike Barrett]

Not expecting raves per say but I can't see them all being negative. We shall see however. 

[\_(•_•)_/]

They are gonna be pretty negative my dude.

[Mike Barrett]

We shall see. Ive heard mixed on here and only negatives from the people who typically hate on jukeboxes anyways so Im waiting for reviews to judge this one. From what Ive seen ti seems like the most well done bio musical since Beautiful so we'll have to see. 

[quizking101]

I spoke to my friend before we went to go see Oklahoma yesterday. She basically called it “a good performance by a cover band that you are painfully aware is a cover band”

[CATSNYrevival]

quizking101 said: "I spoke to my friend before we went to go see Oklahoma yesterday. She basically called it “a good performance by a cover band that you are painfully aware is a cover band”"

That could be said of all of them. It's also how I feel about most of the cast albums for shows like Beautiful, Jersey Boys and even Mamma Mia. Most of the time I'd rather just listen to the original recordings of the songs.

[IdinaBellFoster]

I keep forgetting that this show exists. 

[bwayphreak234]

I was at the first preview for this, and I thought it was pretty damn bad. I can't imagine the critics taking a liking to this, but stranger things have happened.

[fashionguru_23]

I saw this in Toronto. I feel like there will be a mixed bag of reviews. The show is essentially Jersey Boys, but with another group. There similarities will all be in the reviews. There are some great moments, but nothing too crazy. I don't think it will run like Jersey Boys or even Beautiful...It will go the way of Motown, I think. 

Derrick Baskin deserves all the praise he gets/will get. He carries the whole show on his back. I think the Tony people will notice, and the award will be the nomination! 

[Different Drum]

This is a charming night at the theatre with great music and dance. Is it original? No. Does it rely too much on narration? Absolutely. But the show wins over its audience with arrangements and choreography that keeps true to the original Temptations. The orchestra rocks. And the cast, led by an amazing Derrick Baskin, is superb.

Critics of the genre will find reason to dislike it. But this is the best jukebox musical to hit Broadway since Jersey Boys (which isn't saying very much).

[cryan71]

Yeah Jersey Boys got mostly mixed reviews, but the audience loved it for 10 years.  I suspect the same.

[Auggie27]

JB was near the start (if not the very start) of the juke craze, and had a certain freshness in its intentions and presentation. It's been copied (well, "Beautiful"; bad {fill in the blank}) but the novelty is gone. This show will likely survive any negative reviews -- the music is too damned good and well performed -- but the genre is overexposed and artistically, it's harder to find a new spin on crisis-laden-bio-narrative-framing-top-40.  

[Miles2Go2]

New York Theater is mixed:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/newyorktheater.me/2019/03/21/broadway-review-aint-too-proud-the-life-and-times-of-the-temptations/amp/

[Miles2Go2]

3 stars from The Guardian:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/stage/2019/mar/21/aint-too-proud-review-thrilling-music-but-shallow-drama-in-temptations-musical

[Jakeevan942]

Not quite a review,  but still worth posting

https://nypost.com/2019/03/21/aint-too-proud-preview-features-flying-vomit-broken-seat/

[Miles2Go2]

The Wrap is mixed, but singles out Ephraim Sykes, playing the late David Ruffin, as a highlight:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thewrap.com/aint-too-proud-broadway-review-the-temptations-musical/amp/

[Miles2Go2]

AM New York says: Temptations jukebox musical plays it safe

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.amny.com/amp/entertainment/aint-too-proud-review-1.28781562

[Miles2Go2]

Like most critics, Hollywood Reporter, says music is great. Not so much the book. Still liked it better than Motown:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.hollywoodreporter.com/amp/review/aint-too-proud-life-times-temptations-theater-1196252

[Robbie2]

Hollywood Reporter , this high-energy tribute delivers big time.

 

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/aint-too-proud-life-times-temptations-theater-1196252

[Miles2Go2]

Three stars from Time Out:

https://www.timeout.com/newyork/theater/aint-too-proudthe-life-and-times-of-the-temptations

[Kitsune]

Not exactly raves and the night isn't over, but it looks like this is skewing more mixed/positive than anticipated. 

[Robbie2]

cryan71 said: "Yeah Jersey Boys got mostly mixed reviews, but the audience loved it for 10 years. I suspect the same."

being dubbed the Black Jersey Boys...it will not last as long as Jersey Boys give it a year if that

[cryan71]

It will have a good couple of years and turn a profit. The tours should be huge. Maybe a one act Vegas version.

[Robbie2]

Broadway News 

 Ain’t Too Proud’ hits the steps, but not the story

By Charles Isherwood 

https://broadway.news/2019/03/21/review-aint-too-proud-hits-the-steps-but-not-the-story/