It was a sound that would change music history. Ain't Too Proud is the electrifying new musical that tells the story of The Temptations from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
With their signature dance moves and unmistakable harmonies, everybody knows the Temptations' hits, but Ain't Too Proud brings the rest of the rocky history to life; how the founding members met, the unbelievable heights that they hit, and how personal and political conflicts threatened to tear the group apart as the country fell into civil unrest.
With a book by Dominique Morisseau, choreography by Sergio Trujillo, and direction by Des McAnuff, this musical tells the thrilling story of brotherhood, family, loyalty, and betrayal, featuring the toe-tapping hits hits like "My Girl," "Just My Imagination," "Papa Was a Rolling Stone," and many more.
What makes Beg memorable is the sheer overwhelming talent of the cast. Even if no one character has enough time or space in the script to fill in the contours of a full personality beyond a few fast details - baritone Otis Williams liked his suits electric blue; Falsetto king Eddie Kendricks got the nickname Corn because he... loved cornbread! - they can still bring every sweet harmony and cross-step.
While honoring all the expected biomusical clichés, which include rolling out its subjects' greatest hits in brisk and sometimes too fragmented succession, this production refreshingly emphasizes the improbable triumph of rough, combustible parts assembled into glistening smoothness.
2017 | Regional (US) |
Berkeley Rep World Premiere Production Regional (US) |
2021 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
2021 | US Tour |
First National Tour US Tour |
2023 | West End |
West End |
2024 | US Tour |
Second National Tour US Tour |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2019 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Book of a Musical | Dominique Morisseau |
2019 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Award | Jeremy Pope |
2019 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Award | Ephraim Sykes |
2019 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical | Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations |
2019 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Choreographer | Sergio Trujillo |
2019 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Ephraim Sykes |
2019 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Orchestrations | Harold Wheeler |
2019 | Tony Awards | Best Book of a Musical | Dominique Morisseau |
2019 | Tony Awards | Best Choreography | Sergio Trujillo |
2019 | Tony Awards | Best Costume Design of a Musical | Paul Tazewell |
2019 | Tony Awards | Best Direction of a Musical | Des McAnuff |
2019 | Tony Awards | Best Lighting Design of a Musical | Howell Binkley |
2019 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations |
2019 | Tony Awards | Best Orchestrations | Harold Wheeler |
2019 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical | Ephraim Sykes |
2019 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical | Jeremy Pope |
2019 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical | Derrick Baskin |
2019 | Tony Awards | Best Scenic Design of a Musical | Robert Brill |
2019 | Tony Awards | Best Sound Design of a Musical | Steve Canyon Kennedy |
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