Des McAnuff to Direct New Motown-Inspired Musical About The Temptations

It's not just your imagination! According to Showbiz411's Roger Friedman, Des McAnuff will direct a new musical about the journey of Motown super group The Temptations, currently titled THE DETROIT WORKSHOP.

A casting call has been posted for the five musicians who made up the group, Eddie Kendricks, David Ruffin, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, and Otis Williams. Casting is also underway for legendary singer Smokey Robinson, who penned many of their hits including "My Girl." Other roles to be cast include Dennis Edwards, the Supremes' Mary Wilson, Richard Street and Tammi Terrell.

Berkley Repertory Company will produce the project which will feature choreography by Sergio Trujillo. Friedman also reports that award-winning producer Suzanne dePasse, who produced a mini series about the Temptations in 2000, is also involved.

The show is expected to center on the group's heyday, rather than the final few years in which drugs and infighting destroyed their relationships. While the plotline sounds similar to Broadway's recent offering, MOTOWN THE MUSICAL, the show will tell the story from the five musicians point of view, rather than from that of Motown legend Berry Gordy.

Below, watch an early television performance of 'My Girl' by The Temptations: