Five Reasons Why Temptations Musical “Ain’t Too Proud” Is Black Excellence On Broadway

Source: Photo by Doug Hamilton / Photo by Doug Hamilton

All Black Cast

Actors Derrick Baskin, James Harkness, Jawan M. Jackson, Jeremy Pope and Ephraim Sykes were captivating in their portrayals of Temptations from start to finish. The rest of the show’s all-black cast was also a delight to watch. Although the show runs nearly three hours, it felt like there was never a dull moment and viewers were drawn in from the second the lights went up.

Source: Photo by Doug Hamilton / Photo by Doug Hamilton

The Performances

Many of us have grown up listening to Temptations songs like “My Girl,” “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg” and “I Wish It Would Rain,” and the show breezes through these hits and others from Motown’s catalog. The audience couldn’t help but sing along.

Source: Photo by Joel Dockendorf / Photo by Joel Dockendorf

The Costumes

The show’s costumes sing as beautifully as the actors. The tailored suits, the hair, the gowns and the group’s outfits for the performances all hark back to the 1960s and the Temptations’ early days at Motown.

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The Good And The Bad

“Ain’t Too Proud” tells all – not only charting the group’s many hits – but also its misses. It doesn’t shy away from things like lead singer David Ruffin’s out of control addiction or the infighting that dogged the original five members. Fans may think they know the ins and outs of the group’s rise to fame and subsequent success, but the show really gives viewers a musical inside look.

Source: Photo by Kevin Berne / Photo by Kevin Berne

Otis Williams

The real star of the show is Temptations founder Otis Williams, whose book, “The Temptations,” – about his time in the group – is the basis for the play. Williams, now the only surviving member of the original group, is the musical’s narrator.