As a teenager in Los Angeles in the 1960s, I spent hours listening to music on records or the radio. Even I admit my life was centered around The Beatles for most of those years. But there were many other groups I admired, often attending their local concerts during that decade and in the many years following. But I clearly remember seeing The Temptations perform “Get Ready” on their first American Bandstand appearance and immediately became a lifelong fan of not just their music, but also the entire stage show. So of course, I was thrilled to find out that R&B history-making crossover moment is one being celebrated onstage in the pre-Broadway run of “AIN’T TOO PROUD —The Life and Times of The Temptations” with a book by Kennedy Prize-winning playwright Dominique Morisseau and a score made up of The Temptations’ iconic hit songs, now onstage at Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre through Sept. 30.
From the moment I entered the theatre, I felt welcomed into the first sold out concert by The Temptations, and I was not disappointed for one second as many shared tales as well as songs were brought to the stage with amazing precision thanks to its remarkably talented triple-threat cast with each a wonder to behold as the story of the best R&B group to ever grace a stage was told. Led by the Derrick Baskin as Otis Williams (the only surviving member of the original group) acted as the narrator, James Harkness as Paul Williams, Jawan M. Jackson as Melvin Franklin, Jeremy Pope as Eddie Kendricks, and Ephraim Sykes as the group’s lead singer David Ruffin. Friends and family members, other entertainers and legends including Motown’s Barry Gordy, The Supremes, Tammi Terrell, Smokey Robinson, and the group’s manager Shelly Berger, were expertly portrayed by the talented ensemble: Esther Antoine, Shawn Bowers, E. Clayton Cornelious, Rodney Earl Jackson Jr., Taylor Symone Jackson, Jahi Kearse, Jarvis B. Manning Jr., Joshua Morgan, Saint Aubyn, Rashidra Scott, Nasia Thomas, Christian Thompson, Curtis Wiley and Candice Marie Woods.
And what a story The Temptations share before they became the greatest R&B group of all time (Billboard magazine 2017), beginning when they were just five young guys on the streets of Detroit. After getting discovered by Berry Gordy and signed to his brand-new label, Motown Records, it took them 24 tries before they finally had a hit song. The rest is history – 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.
Led to perfection by to Two-time Tony Award-winning director Des McAnuff with choreography by Olivier Award winner Sergio Trujillo, the talented creative team includes Tony Award nominee Robert Brill (scenic design), Tony Award winner Paul Tazewell (costume design), Tony Award winner Howell Binkley (lighting design), Tony Award winner Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound design), Drama Desk Award winner Peter Nigrini (projection design), Edgar Godineaux (associate choreographer), Charles G. LaPointe (hair and wig design) and Steve Rankin (fight direction). Together they have created a multimedia extravaganza that provides not only great performances but historical authenticity as the explosive 60s are reflected in war protests and race riots in major cities across the USA. And special thanks to Drama Desk Award winner Harold Wheeler for his incredible orchestrations, with music direction and arrangements by Kenny Seymour who led the band into rocking the house through every song!
Tickets for “AIN’T TOO PROUD —The Life and Times of The Temptations” are available by calling 213-972-4400, online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org, or by visiting the Center Theatre Group Box Office located at the Ahmanson Theatre. Tickets range from $30 to $145 (subject to change). The Ahmanson Theatre is located at The Music Center at 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles.
