The first Broadway national tour of “Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations” will blast you into the 1960s, now through Feb. 20 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.
(© 2021 Emilio Madrid)
Traci Elaine Lee, Deri’Andra Tucker and Shayla Brielle G. (L-R) as The Supremes in “Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations.”
Over the past couple of decades, dozens of jukebox musicals have been mining biographies of popular pop groups and this one benefits from the same director/choreographer duo as “Jersey Boys,” the Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons show that set the standard.
With that talent, a powerhouse cast and a script based on Temptations founder Otis Williams’ memoir – narrating the quintet’s rise from Detroit’s streets to global superstardom – you can’t go wrong.
The electrifying Tony Award-winning musical that opened on Broadway in 2019 features Motown’s bestselling group’s signature dance moves and unmistakable harmonies. The Temptations rose to the top of the charts, creating an amazing catalog of 42 top 10 hits with 14 reaching number one. They were voted the greatest R&B group of all time by Billboard magazine in 2017.
“Ain’t Too Proud” shows audiences how the original group members met, the groundbreaking heights they reached, and how personal and political conflicts threatened to tear the group apart as the United States fell into civil unrest. It’s a comedy, a tragedy and a musical whirlwind. 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,” “Get Ready,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” and so many more.
(© 2021 Emilio Madrid)
Jalen Harris as falsetto-singing charmer Eddie in “Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations,” which opened at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts Tuesday night.
And if that wasn’t exciting enough, expect appearances in the story from The Supremes to portray their rivalry with The Temptations for the top spot in R&B. Short-lived appearances from characters like Mama Rose Franklin and Tammi Terrell will leave you begging for more.
Although every member of The Temptations gets a full back story and solo to show off their powerful pipes, the female characters disappointingly have less three-dimensional lives; in this musical, women mostly orbit the men or influence them offstage. Despite their limited stage time, female cast members leave strong impressions. Get ready for Williams’ exasperated wife Josephine, who channels Jean Carn while singing “If You Don’t Know Me By Now.”
The cast of “Ain’t Too Proud” grooves in perfect sync through every showstopper and scene change – from the titular song and “Baby Love” to “What Becomes of the Broken Hearted” and “You Can’t Hurry Love.” Minimalist scenic design consists of little more than a moving theater marquee, but laser-focused lighting and monochromatic projections craft striking stage images that emphasize the singers’ iconic silhouettes.
Most importantly, the band’s make-or-break break mission to obtain crossover status between Black and white audiences drives the musical.
(© 2021 Emilio Madrid)
Harrell Holmes Jr., Jalen Harris, Harris Matthew, Marcus Paul James and James T. Lane (L-R) in Broadway’s touring production of “Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations.”
If you go
“Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations”
Feb. 8-20
$32.50-$145
Au Rene Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts
201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
Tickets available at BrowardCenter.org or Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 954.462.0222, or in person at the box office. Masks and proof of vaccine or recent negative COVID-19 test required for entry.