by Pat Lindsey Hang onto your seats for this...
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Temptations Take over Muny Stage
Top Jukebox musical performing
by Pat Lindsey
Hang onto your seats for this jukebox musical, because “Ain’t Too Proud” will tempt you to dance in the aisle! It’s the story of one of the best rhythm & blues groups to ever be part of the Motown legacy–The Temptations.
The entire show is set in Detroit, where music mogul Berry Gordy has the ability to make or break aspiring musicians and singing groups. The backdrop is the Ambassador Bridge, which crosses the Detroit River and connects Michigan to Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Otis Williams (James T. Lane), the founder of The Temptations, has decided to turn his troubled life around by promising God he would make music his salvation. Hearing the Cadilacs perform was like his confirmation from God.
After Williams assembled a quintet of voices with various vocal ranges that melded together perfectly, he seized the opportunity to follow Berry Gordy into a men’s restroom and approach him with the idea of recording his group. After that, it wasn’t very long before The Temptations were on stage opening for Diana Ross & The Supremes. By March 6, 1965, The Temptations topped the charts with their own #1 hit, “My Girl.”
With fame came personal problems for each member of the original group. Lead singer, David Ruffin (Nick Rashad Burroughs), let fame go to his head by becoming a difficult prima dona and drug addict. The talented vocalist who Williams thought was “lightning in a bottle” had to be replaced. In time, alcoholism, depression, rheumatoid arthritis, lung cancer, and family problems plagued the other members of the group.
“Ain’t Too Proud” uses the forever-popular music and the Otis Williams character to tell the story of the 27 artists who were members of The Temptations during its long lifespan of 62 years. In all, the group had 42 Top Ten hits with 14 of them reaching #1. Their story is captivating, fast-paced and energetic and only slows down for those moments of grief and personal tragedy. Otis Williams is the only surviving member of the original “classic five” Temptations and served as executive director of this production. He even made a surprise appearance on stage on opening night!
Members of the “classic five” cast are James T. Lane (Otis Williams), Nick Rashad Burroughs (David Ruffin), Jawan M. Jackson (Melvin Franklin), Elijah Ahmad Lewis (Eddie Kendricks), and Daniel Yearwood (Paul Williams). Each of them gives a mesmerizing performance. Together, with accompaniment by The Muny’s outstanding orchestra, they sing and dance as well (if not better) than the famous Temptations. Music director Darryl G. Ivey is making his Muny debut with this phenomenal production. Also debuting is choreographer Rickey Tripp, who not only replicated the synchronized dance moves of the quintet, but produced big dance numbers for “Shout,” “Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are),” and other Temptation hits.
Director Marcia Milgrom Dodge, who lived and breathed Motown since she was a child growing up in Detroit, has put her own authentic touches on this production and it shows. She has filled the huge Muny stage with the glitz and gloom of show biz. She and her creative team, especially sound designer, Joshua Hummel, have captured the thrilling nostalgia of The Temptations and 31 of their greatest hits.
For some people, this show will be a trip down memory lane. For others, it will be an electrically-charged evening of great music and dancing. For everyone, it will be the reason to stand up and cheer a talented cast, a good story, and the fact that music lives forever.
“Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations” will be thrilling audiences now through Aug. 2 on The Muny stage in Forest Park. For more information, go to muny.org
