Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations Tickets | Schedule for 2024/2025 Events

Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations

Ain't Too Proud is a jukebox musical with music and lyrics by The Temptations and a book by Dominique Morisseau, an American playwright and actress from Detroit. The musical premiered in 2017 at the Berkeley Repertory Theater in California.

Ain't Too Proud became the highest-grossing musical production in the theater's history. The musical was supposed to run from 31st August to 8th October. It was extended to 22nd October and then to 5th November.

This success took the musical to the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. It ran from June to July 2018. It then ran at the Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles from August to September. The same year, the musical was performed in Toronto, Canada, from October to November.

Finally, Ain't Too Proud opened on Broadway at the Imperial Theater. The previews began in February, while the actual performances started in March and only closed early due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Of course, the musical is back in action once the restrictions are removed.

Synopsis and Musical Numbers

Ain’t Too Proud is an electrifying jukebox musical by The Temptations. It follows their journey from Detroit streets to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (a journey from nowhere to success through sheer hard work and talent). The dance moves are just amazing. Sergio Trujillo won Best Choreography at the Tony Awards in 2019.

The musical tells the story of how the members met, their personal success, the political scenarios, the civil unrest movement, the impact of the sociopolitical scenario on their band, etc. It deals with themes like family, loyalty, brotherhood, and betrayal through the best hits by the band.

The Broadway version is divided into two acts, with 17 musical numbers in the first act and 12 in the second. Hits like Papa Was A Rollin' Stone, If You Don't Know Me By Now, Runaway Child, Running Wild, War, I'm Gonna Make You Love Me, I Wish It Would Rain, etc., are a part of the original and Broadway versions.

The Temptations are a Detroit-based vocal group that was famous during the 1960s and 70s. The band wasn’t just renowned for its music. The members were known for their distinct harmonies, dressing style, and great choreography. Cloud Nine was a big hit in 1968 and is featured in the musical.