The first national tour of Ain't Too Proud—The Life and Times of The Temptations kicked off December 7-12, 2021, at the Durham Performing Arts Center in North Carolina. The production subsequently opened at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and now continues to over 50 cities, including a homecoming to The Temptations’ roots in Detroit.
Leading the cast as The Temptations are Jalen Harris as Eddie Kendricks, Harrell Holmes Jr. as Melvin Franklin, James T. Lane as Paul Williams, Marcus Paul James as Otis Williams, and Elijah Ahmad Lewis as David Ruffin.
The touring company also features Michael Andreaus, Gregory Carl Banks Jr, Brian C. Binion, Reed Campbell, Lawrence Dandridge, Nick Drake, Shayla Brielle G., Treston J. Henderson, Najah Hetsberger, Devin Holloway, Antwaun Holley, Traci Elaine Lee, Brett Michael Lockley, Chani Maisonet, Harris Matthew, Deri’Andra Tucker, and Andrew Volzer.
Check out photos of the tour below:
Marcus Paul James, Jalen Harris, Elijah Ahmad Lewis, Harrell Holmes Jr., and James T. Lane in Ain't Too Proud
The cast of Ain't Too Proud
Elijah Ahmad Lewis, Marcus Paul James, Jalen Harris, Harrell Holmes Jr., and James T. Lane in Ain't Too Proud
The cast of Ain't Too Proud
Traci Elaine Lee, Deri’Andra Tucker, and Shayla Brielle G. in Ain't Too Proud
Harrell Holmes Jr., Elijah Ahmad Lewis, Jalen Harris, Marcus Paul James, and James T. Lane in Ain't Too Proud
Jalen Harris and the cast of Ain't Too Proud
Harrell Holmes Jr., Jalen Harris, Harris Matthew, Marcus Paul James, and James T. Lane in Ain't Too Proud
Featuring a book by Dominique Morisseau, Ain't Too Proud uses the Temptations' hits to tell the story of their journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Songs include “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Get Ready,” and “Papa Was a Rolling Stone.”
The musical, which opened on Broadway March 21, 2019, was nominated for 12 Tony Awards including Best Musical. Two-time Tony winner Des McAnuff directs, with Tony-winning choreography by Sergio Trujillo. Ain't Too Proud had its world premiere at California’s Berkeley Repertory Theatre in 2017 before going on to play Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Toronto.
The production features scenic design by Robert Brill, costume design by Tony winner Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Tony winner Howell Binkley, sound design by Tony winner Steve Canyon Kennedy, projection design by Peter Nigrini, hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe, fight direction by Steve Rankin, associate choreography by Edgar Godineaux, music coordination by John Miller, production coordination by Molly Meg Legal, tour resident direction by Brian Harlan Brooks, associate direction by Logan Vaughn, and production stage management by Jimmie Lee Smith.
Orchestrations are by Tony recipient Harold Wheeler, with music supervision and arrangements by Kenny Seymour. Casting is by Tara Rubin Casting's Merri Sugarman. The national tour is produced by Ira Pittelman and Tom Hulce in association with executive producer Stephen Gabriel. Work Light Productions serves as general and production manager.
For the current touring itinerary, click here.
The Broadway production played its final performance at the Imperial Theatre January 16. Check out photos from the closing night below.
Cast of Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations
Matt Manuel
Jawan Jackson, Jelani Remy, Nik Walker, Matt Manuel, and James Harkness
Jawan Jackson, Jelani Remy, Nik Walker, Matt Manuel, and James Harkness
Jawan Jackson, Jelani Remy, Nik Walker, Matt Manuel, and James Harkness
Jawan Jackson, Jelani Remy, Nik Walker, Matt Manuel, and James Harkness
Jawan Jackson
Jelani Remy
Nik Walker
Cast of Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations
Saint Aubyn
Saint Aubyn, Dominque Morisseau, and Kenny Seymour
Dominique Morisseau
Des McAnuff and Dominque Morisseau
Dominique Morisseau
Dominque Morisseau
Des McAnuff and James Harkness
Saint Aubyn, Dominique Morisseau, and cast
Kenny Seymour
Saint Aubyn, Jelani Remy, Taylor Symone Jackson, Nik Walker, and Tiffany Frances
Cast of Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations
