Ain't Too Proud

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Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations is a 2017 jukebox musical with music and lyrics by The Temptations and a book by Dominique Morisseau. Based on the story of The Temptations, the musical had a series of regional productions and opened at Broadway's Imperial Theatre in March 2019.

Ain't Too Proud
The Life and Times of The Temptations
Original Broadway Playbill
MusicThe Temptations
LyricsThe Temptations
BookDominique Morisseau
BasisThe life and songs of The Temptations
PremiereAugust 31, 2017
Productions2019 Broadway
2021 U.S. Tour
2023 West End

Productions

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Berkeley Rep (2017)

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The musical premiered at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre in Berkeley, California, on August 31, 2017, with a press opening on September 14,[1] for a limited engagement until November 5, 2017. The production was directed by Des McAnuff and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo. The production's design team included scenery by Robert Brill, costumes by Paul Tazewell, lighting by Howell Binkley, sound by Steve Canyon Kennedy, and projections by Peter Nigrini. The musical was originally set to play through October 8; but was later extended through October 22; and ultimately through November 5. The musical was the highest-grossing production in the theatre's history.

Washington, DC (2018)

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Following its run at Berkeley Rep, the show moved to the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC where it ran from June 19, 2018, through July 22, 2018.[2][3]

Los Angeles (2018)

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Following its run at the Kennedy Center, the show moved to the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, California where it ran from August 21, 2018, through September 30, 2018.[4]

Toronto (2018)

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Following its run at the Ahmanson, the show moved to the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto, Ontario where it ran from October 11, 2018, through November 17, 2018.[5]

Broadway (2019)

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At the Imperial Theatre

The musical opened on Broadway in 2019 at the Imperial Theatre, with previews beginning February 28, 2019 and an opening night on March 21, 2019.[6][7] As of March 12, 2020, the show suspended production due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On May 10, 2021, it was announced that the show would return to Broadway with a gala performance on October 16.[8] The production had its final performance on January 16, 2022.[9]

US Equity Tour (2021)

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It was announced on May 31, 2019, that the national equity tour would kick off in July 2020 at the Providence Performing Arts Center in Providence, Rhode Island. The premiere was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It opened at the Durham Performing Arts Center in Durham, North Carolina on December 7, 2021. It played its final performance on March 3, 2024, at the Saenger Theater in New Orleans, Louisiana.[10]

West End (2023)

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A production began performances in the West End at the Prince Edward Theatre on March 31, 2023.[11] The show closed at the Prince Edward Theatre on 17 September 2023. The show was originally set to run until 7 January 2024.[12]

Characters and original cast

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CharacterBerkeley[13]Washington, DCLos Angeles[14]Toronto[15]BroadwayU.S. Equity Tour[16]London
20172018201920212023
Otis WilliamsDerrick BaskinMarcus Paul JamesSifiso Mazibuko
Melvin FranklinJared JosephJawan M. JacksonHarrell Holmes Jr.Cameron Bernard Jones
Eddie KendricksJeremy PopeJalen HarrisMitchell Zhangazha
Paul WilliamsJames HarknessJames T. LaneKyle Cox
David RuffinEphraim SykesElijah Ahmad LewisTosh Wanogho-Maud
Al BryantJarvis B. Manning Jr.Brett Michael LockleyMichael James Stewart
Tammi TerrellNasia ThomasShayla Brielle G.Evonnee Bentley-Holder
Johnnie Mae MatthewsTaylor Symone JacksonTraci Elaine LeeSadie-Jean Shirley
Berry GordyJahi KearseMichael AndreausAkmed Junior Khemalai
Smokey RobinsonChristian ThompsonLawrence DandridgeRyan Carter
Diana RossCandice Marie WoodsDeri'Andra TuckerHolly Liburd
Josephine MilesRashidra ScottNajah HetsbergerNaomi Katiyo
Shelly BergerJeremy CohenJoshua MorganReed CampbellDylan Turner
Dennis EdwardsCaliaf St. AubynHarris MatthewPosi Morakinyo
Richard StreetE. Clayton CorneliousDevin HollowaySimeon Montague
LamontShawn BowersGregory Carl Banks Jr.Toyan Thomas-Browne

Musical numbers

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Original Berkeley Rep production

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Original Broadway production

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Recording

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The original Broadway cast recording of Ain't Too Proud was recorded January 19–22, 2019 at Sound on Sound Studios, Montclair, NJ, and digitally released on March 22, 2019. The physical album released on April 19, and a double-LP vinyl was released on June 7.[17]

Awards and nominations

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Broadway production

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YearAwardCategoryNomineeResult
2019Tony Awards[18][19]Best MusicalNominated
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a MusicalDerrick BaskinNominated
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a MusicalJeremy PopeNominated
Ephraim SykesNominated
Best Book of a MusicalDominique MorisseauNominated
Best Direction of a MusicalDes McAnuffNominated
Best ChoreographySergio TrujilloWon
Best Scenic Design in a MusicalRobert Brill & Peter NigriniNominated
Best Costume Design in a MusicalPaul TazewellNominated
Best Lighting Design in a MusicalHowell BinkleyNominated
Best Sound Design of a MusicalSteve Canyon KennedyNominated
Best OrchestrationsHarold WheelerNominated
Drama Desk AwardOutstanding Book of a MusicalDominique MorisseauNominated
Outer Critics Circle Awards[20]Outstanding ChoreographerSergio TrujilloNominated
Outstanding OrchestrationsHarold WheelerNominated
Outstanding Featured Actor in a MusicalEphraim SykesNominated
Drama League Awards[21]Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway MusicalNominated
Distinguished Performance AwardJeremy PopeNominated
Ephraim SykesNominated
Broadway.com Audience Awards[22]Favorite Breakthrough Performance (Male)Ephraim SykesWon
2020Grammy AwardBest Musical Theater AlbumSaint Aubyn, Derrick Baskin, James Harkness, Jawan M. Jackson, Jeremy Pope & Ephraim Sykes (principal soloists); Scott M. Riesett (producer)Nominated

References

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  1. ^ "Berkeley Rep Announces Full Casting and Creative Team for World Premiere of Ain't Too Proud—The Life and Times of The Temptations" (PDF) (Press release). Berkeley Repertory Theatre. July 13, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  2. ^ " 'Ain't Too Proud' Breaks Kennedy Center Box Office Record" broadwayworld.com, July 23, 2018
  3. ^ " 'Ain't Too Proud—The Life and Times of The Temptations' Kennedy Center" kennedy-center.org, accessed March 22, 2019
  4. ^ McNulty, Charles. "Review: 'Ain't Too Proud,' the Broadway-bound musical about the Temptations: Sensational music, scattershot storytelling" Los Angeles Times, August 26, 2018
  5. ^ Fricker, Karen. " 'Ain’t Too Proud' pays a busy, sometimes breathtaking tribute to the Temptations" The Star, October 17, 2018
  6. ^ Hipes, Patrick (October 2, 2018). "Temptations Musical 'Ain't Too Proud' Sets Broadway Dates". Deadline.com. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  7. ^ Hetrick, Adam; McPhee, Ryan. "Read the Reviews for Broadway’s 'Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations'" playbill, March 21, 2019
  8. ^ Clement, Olivia (May 12, 2020). "Check the Statuses of Broadway Shows During the Coronavirus Shutdown". Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  9. ^ Lang, Brent (December 28, 2021). "'Ain't Too Proud' Becomes Latest Broadway Musical to Close as COVID Hits Theater Business Hard". Variety. Archived from the original on December 28, 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  10. ^ "Ain't Too Proud – Broadway Musical – Tour | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  11. ^ "The Temptations musical Ain't Too Proud to run in the West End | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. September 23, 2022. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  12. ^ "Ain't Too Proud to close at the West End's Prince Edward Theatre | West End Theatre". July 23, 2023.
  13. ^ "Ain't Too Proud Casting" berkeleyrep.org
  14. ^ "Cast Announced for 'Ain't Too Proud' at Ahmanson". Center Theatre Group. July 19, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  15. ^ "Ain't Too Proud Programme" (PDF). Mirvish. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  16. ^ "Ain't Too Proud – Broadway Musical – Tour | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  17. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (February 28, 2019). "Ain't Too Proud, Broadway's New Temptations Musical, Will Release a Cast Album in March". Playbill. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  18. ^ "2019 Tony Award Nominations Are Announced". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  19. ^ "Check out the 2019 Tony Award Nominees!". todaytix.com. April 30, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  20. ^ Lefkowitz, Andy (April 23, 2019). "Hadestown, Tootsie & Oklahoma! Lead 2019 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  21. ^ Lefkowitz, Andy (April 17, 2019). "Nominations Announced for 85th Annual Drama League Awards". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  22. ^ Evans, George (April 19, 2019). "'Be More Chill', 'Pretty Woman' Top Broadway's Audience Choice Awards". Broadway.com. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
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