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John Legend, Otis Williams, and More Attend Ain't Too Proud Opening

The pre-Broadway engagement of the Temptations musical opened Friday, August 24, at Los Angeles’s Ahmanson Theatre.

Jason Zednick
Los Angeles
Otis Williams and John Legend shake hands at the opening night celebration for Ain't Too Proud at Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre.
Otis Williams and John Legend shake hands at the opening night celebration for Ain't Too Proud at Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre.
(© Nicholas Gingold)

Ain't Too Proud, which tells the true story of the iconic R&B group the Temptations, celebrated opening night on Friday, August 24, at Los Angeles's Ahmanson Theatre

Jeremy Pope, Berry Gordy, James Harkness, Mary Wilson, Derrick Baskin, Jawan M. Jackson, and Ephraim Sykes gather for a photo.
Jeremy Pope, Berry Gordy, James Harkness, Mary Wilson, Derrick Baskin, Jawan M. Jackson, and Ephraim Sykes gather for a photo.
(© Nicholas Gingold)

The show is described as follows: "Ain't Too Proud is the electrifying new musical that follows the Temptations' extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. With their signature dance moves and unmistakable harmonies, they rose to the top of the charts creating an amazing 42 Top Ten Hits with 14 reaching number one. The rest is history — how they met, how they rose, the groundbreaking heights they hit, and how personal and political conflicts threatened to tear the group apart as the United States fell into civil unrest. This thrilling story of brotherhood, family, loyalty, and betrayal is set to the beat of the group's treasured hits, including 'My Girl,' 'Just My Imagination,' 'Papa Was a Rolling Stone,' and so many more."

Cast member Nasia Thomas walks the red carpet.
Cast member Nasia Thomas walks the red carpet.
(© Nicholas Gingold)

Directed by Tony winner Des McAnuff, the musical features a book by Dominique Morisseau and choreography by Sergio Trujillo.

Cast member Jarvis B. Manning Jr. struts his stuff.
Cast member Jarvis B. Manning Jr. struts his stuff.
(© Nicholas Gingold)

The creative team also includes Tony nominee Robert Brill (scenic design), Tony winner Paul Tazewell (costume design), Tony winner Howell Binkley (lighting design), Tony winner Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound design), Peter Nigrini (projection design), Charles G. LaPointe (hair and wig design), Edgar Godineaux (associate choreographer), and Steve Rankin (fight direction). Orchestrations are by Harold Wheeler with music direction and arrangements by Kenny Seymour.

Leading the cast of the Los Angeles production are Derrick Baskin as Otis Williams, James Harkness as Paul Williams, Jawan M. Jackson as Melvin Franklin, Jeremy Pope as Eddie Kendricks, and Ephraim Sykes as David Ruffin. The company also includes Esther Antoine, Saint Aubyn, Shawn Bowers, E. Clayton Cornelious, Rodney Earl Jackson Jr., Taylor Symone Jackson, Jahi Kearse, Jarvis B. Manning Jr., Joshua Morgan, Rashidra Scott, Nasia Thomas, Christian Thompson, Curtis Wiley, and Candice Marie Woods.