Shawn Bowers News

Whether you know all the songs of Leiber & Stoller or only a few, there is something for everyone in the Fulton Theatre's production of Smokey Joe's Cafe.

Traditionally known as a “jukebox” musical, this reimagined and revitalized production of Smokey Joe's Cafe tells the story of a group of friends as they meet at a neighborhood pub and navigate friendship, romance, heartbreak, and modern-day life using the music of Leiber and Stoller. A mixture of rock n roll, blues, and jazz, the songbook includes hits such as Hound Dog, Spanish Rose in Harlem, Fools Fall in Love, and many more.  

Last night, Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations, the Tony Award®-winning musical sensation, played its final Broadway performance at the Imperial Theatre (249 West 45th Street). The musical, with a book by Tony Award nominee Dominique Morisseau, choreography by Tony Award winner Sergio Trujillo, and direction by Tony Award winner Des McAnuff played 488 performances.

Today, January 16, Broadway says goodbye to four beloved productions. Flying Over Sunset will conclude its run at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre following 28 previews and 35 regular performances; Clyde's wraps up at the Hayes Theatre following 24 previews and 61 regular performances; Ain't Too Proud finishes it's almost three-year run at the Imperial Theatre after 21 previews and 488 regular performances; and To Kill A Mockingbird pauses performances at the Shubert Theatre following 45 previews and 626 regular performances.

 Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations, the smash hit Tony Award®-winning musical will play its final Broadway performance on Sunday, January 16, 2022.

This week's Theater Stories features the Imperial Theatre. Learn about the stars and shows to have graced the theatre's stage, including Ethel Merman in Annie Get Your Gun and Gypsy; the Broadway premiere of Mary Martin; the theatre's current show, Ain't Too Proud, and much more!

A brand new music video to the Temptations hit 'I'm Losing You,' featuring the cast and orchestra of Broadway's Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations, was released today.

Starting tomorrow at 7 PM ET, Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations, in partnership with American Express, will premiere an exclusive virtual event hosted by Whoopi Goldberg featuring performances from the Tony Award®-winning musical along with intimate conversations with Otis Williams, founder of The Temptations, and more.

Today's top stories: & Juliet, Fiddler on the Roof, Dear Evan Hansen, and more have been nominated for 2020 Olivier Awards, and more!

On 2/20 over at Broadway Sessions we were joined by some FIERCE cast members from Ain't Too Proud! Performers included Elijah Ahmad Lewis, Esther Antoine, Jamari Johnson Williams, Jelani Remy, Marcus Paul James, Morgan McGhee, Saint Aubyn, Shawn Bowers, Ta'Nika Gibson, Corey West, and Tiffany Frances along with guests Lindsay Gloriana Bohon, Anthony Fett and 'Rising Star' Jesse Michael Allison.

The producers of Broadway's Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of The Temptations announced today that they will welcome Hamilton alum Nik Walker and Detroit native Matt Manuel to the musical as Otis Williams and David Ruffin, respectively, beginning Friday, February 28, 2020. Derrick Baskin and Ephraim Sykes, the Tony Award® nominated original Temptations actors, will depart the production on Wednesday, February 26, 2020.

BROADWAY SESSIONS is described as an evening of musical performances, games and open mic featuring a new Broadway cast twice monthly. The show is created and hosted by Ben Cameron (Bway Wicked, Aida, Footloose, Dance Captain Dance Attack web series) and features musical director Joshua Stephen Kartes on piano. This Thursday night, February 20, Broadway Sessions will welcome cast members from Ain't Too Proud and more!

Today's top stories: A Soldier's Play officially opens tonight, and more!

Last Thursday we had our first show of 2020 and what better way to kick off the New Year than our first-ever Rising Star Reunion! At every show we do, along with our Broadway performers who come to sing with us, we also showcase a young artist who has not yet tread the Great White Way! Many of our Rising Stars go on to do INCREDIBLE things and we were so happy to be joined by some of our favorite alumni! Performers of the evening include Hannah Cruz (Hamilton), Julian R Decker (Love Never Dies), Shawn Bowers (Ain't Too Proud), Mallory Bechtel (Dear Evan Hansen), Avery Smith (Beautiful), Roderick Lawrence (The Lion King), Britt Lenting (Phantom Of The Opera), Kate Corsaro, Nicole Vande Zande, Claire Saunders, Lillian Andrea De Leon, Sal Pavia, Jose Plaza, Josh Bardier, Gregory Sullivan, Lincoln Ward, Gina Santare, Mallory King & Dylan Hartwell.

Broadway Sessions begins new seasons this week!

Producers Ira Pittelman and Tom Hulce announced today that Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of The Temptations has once again broken the box office house record at the Imperial Theatre (249 West 45th Street). Ain't Too Proud's gross for the week ending December 29, 2019, was $1,865,016.90, the highest in the history of the Imperial Theatre. The musical broke its own record of $1,710,207.90 set the week of December 8, 2019. Prior to that, Billy Elliot: The Musical held the Imperial's house record, grossing $1,663,895.00 in January 2010.

Producers Ira Pittelman and Tom Hulce announced today that the smash hit Broadway musical Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of The Temptations has set a new box office record at the Imperial Theatre (249 West 45th Street). Ain't Too Proud's gross for the week ending December 8, 2019, was $1,710,207.90 in the 1,424 seat theater, the highest for any week at the Imperial Theatre. Prior to Ain't Too Proud, Billy Elliot: The Musical held the house record ($1,663,895.00) set in January 2010.

The cast of Ain't Too Proud kicked off the 93rd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with a medley of 'Get Ready,' 'Ain't Too Proud To Beg' and 'I Can't Get Next To You.'

Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of The Temptations will kick off the 93rd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, alongside 'TODAY' show hosts Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker, with performances from the hit Broadway musical. The entire cast and band of Ain't Too Proud will perform a medley of 'Get Ready,' 'Ain't Too Proud To Beg,' and 'I Can't Get Next To You', which will air LIVE on NBC on Thursday, November 28 from 9 a.m. - noon (in all time zones).

Carols for a Cure is back for 2019 in its 21st edition! Below, Check out exclusive photos as the cast of Ain't Too Proud gathers to record their track- 'Come All Ye Faithful.'