AIN'T TOO PROUD Breaks Box Office Record at CTG's Ahmanson

Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of The Temptations has broken the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre records for the highest grossing pre-Broadway engagement with a gross of $5,992,378.50, and for highest attendance with 82,792 people having seen the show in Los Angeles.

Ain't Too Proud, which ended its six-week pre-Broadway run in Los Angeles this past Sunday, September 30, also broke records in its world premiere run at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, where it became the highest grossing production in that theater's nearly 50-year history, and at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts' Eisenhower Theater where it broke the record for single-week box office gross of $955,660.50.

"Center Theatre Group has always loved the opportunity to present exciting new work before it goes to Broadway so, when I saw Ain't Too Proud at Berkeley Rep one year ago, I knew immediately that I needed to bring it to the Ahmanson Theatre. Our audiences clearly agreed because Ain't Too Proud has not only broken sales records, it has received raucous standing ovations. Toronto is in for a treat and Broadway had better Get Ready 'Cause Here [they] Come," said Douglas C. Baker, Producing Director of Center Theatre Group.

The musical will next play Toronto's Princess of Wales Theatre from October 11 through November 17, 2018. As previously announced, Ain't Too Proud will play Broadway's legendary Imperial Theatre (249 West 45th Street) with performances beginning Thursday, February 28, 2019, and an official Opening Night set for Thursday, March 21, 2019. Additional information will be announced shortly.

Ain't Too Proud is the electrifying new musical that follows The Temptations' extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. With their signature dance moves and unmistakable harmonies, they got to the top of the charts creating an amazing 42 Top Ten Hits with 14 reaching number one. The rest is history - how they met, how they rose, the groundbreaking heights they hit, and how personal and political conflicts threatened to tear the group apart as the United States fell into civil unrest. This thrilling story of brotherhood, family, loyalty, and betrayal is set to the beat of the group's treasured hits, including "My Girl," "Just My Imagination," "Papa Was a Rolling Stone," and so many more.

With a book by Kennedy Prize-winning playwright Dominique Morisseau, Ain't Too Proud features an iconic score made up of The Temptations' legendary songs. Two-time Tony Award®winner Des McAnuff directs, with choreography by Olivier Award winner Sergio Trujillo.

The creative team includes Tony Award nominee Robert Brill (scenic design), Tony Award winner Paul Tazewell (costume design), Tony Award winner Howell Binkley (lighting design), Tony Award winner Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound design), Drama Desk Award winner Peter Nigrini (projection design), Edgar Godineaux (associate choreographer), Charles G. LaPointe (hair and wig design), and Steve Rankin (fight direction). Orchestrations are by Drama Desk Award winner Harold Wheeler with Music Direction and Arrangements by Kenny Seymour.

Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy