Theater News

Temptations Musical Ain't Too Proud Sets Broadway Dates

The new production will play the Imperial Theatre.

Ephraim Sykes, Jeremy Pope, Jawan M. Jackson, James Harkness, and Derrick Baskin in Ain't Too Proud.
Ephraim Sykes, Jeremy Pope, Jawan M. Jackson, James Harkness, and Derrick Baskin in Ain't Too Proud.
(© Matthew Murphy)

The Broadway production of Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations will begin performances at the Imperial Theatre on Thursday, February 28, producers have announced. Opening night will take place on Thursday, March 21.

Directed by Tony winner Des McAnuff, the musical features a book by Dominique Morisseau, choreography by Sergio Trujillo, and a score culled from Motown hits like "My Girl," "Just My Imagination," and more.

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.

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."

Ain't Too Proud had its world premiere at Berkeley Rep, where it broke box office records. The show is currently on a pre-Broadway tour visiting LA's Ahmanson Center and Toronto's Princess of Wales Theatre.

Casting for the Broadway run will be announced.