Michael Andreaus, E. Clayton Cornelious Take on Leading Roles in Ain't Too Proud National Tour

The first national tour of Ain't Too Proud—The Life and Times of The Temptations, which celebrated its one-year anniversary on the road in December 2022, recently welcomed several new cast members. The tour is currently playing the First Interstate Center for the Arts in Spokane, Washington, through January 22.

Original tour member Michael Andreaus has stepped into the role of Otis Williams, while original Broadway company member E. Clayton Cornelious has taken over the role of Paul Williams. They join current Temptations Jalen Harris as Eddie Kendricks, Harrell Holmes Jr. as Melvin Franklin, and Elijah Ahmad Lewis as David Ruffin.

Also joining the company are Felander, Melvin Gray Jr., Quiana Onrae’l Holmes, Jeremy Kelsey, AJ Lockhart, Omar Madden, Devin Price, and Brittny Smith, who appear alongside current tour cast members Brian C. Binion, Reed Campbell, Shayla Brielle G., Devin Holloway, Dwayne P. Mitchell, Amber Mariah Talley, Andrew Volzer, and Nazarria Workman.

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 Nicole Olson.

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.