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Ain't Too Proud 2021

Run Time:
Two hours and 30 minutes, with one intermission
Ages: 13+
Opened: October 16, 2021
Closing: January 16, 2022

Ain't Too Proud - 2021 Broadway History , Info & More

Imperial Theatre (Broadway)
249 West 45th St. New York, NY

It was a sound that would change music history. Ain't Too Proud is the electrifying new musical that tells the story of The Temptations from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

With their signature dance moves and unmistakable harmonies, everybody knows the Temptations' hits, but Ain't Too Proud brings the rest of the rocky history to life; how the founding members met, the unbelievable heights that they hit, and how personal and political conflicts threatened to tear the group apart as the country fell into civil unrest.

With a book by Dominique Morisseau, choreography by Sergio Trujillo, and direction by Des McAnuff, this musical tells the thrilling story of brotherhood, family, loyalty, and betrayal, featuring the toe-tapping hits hits like "My Girl," "Just My Imagination," "Papa Was a Rolling Stone," and many more.


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PREVIEW Ain't Too Proud - 2021 - Broadway

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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Ain't Too Proud

Broadway Review: ‘Ain’t Too Proud’
7 / 10

But polished performances, slick choreography (by Sergio Trujillio) and a slate of 31 Motown tunes should satisfy audiences who might not be looking for probing storytelling, as long as the show delivers well-performed hits. That it does, as it centers on the story of the classic quintet of performers singing 'Cloud Nine,' 'If You Don't Know Me By Now,' 'My Girl,' 'I'm Gonna Make You Love Me' and the title song, among others - including some songs that weren't the group's own.

'Ain't Too Proud,' the tale of The Temptations, needed to tell its own story
6 / 10

'Ain't Too Proud' has a wholly conventional structure, as if everyone involved didn't want to run any kind of counter-narrative to that of Williams or upset Berry Gordy (Jahi Kearse), whose persona here is exactly like his persona in 'Motown the Musical.' Fascinating issues like the band's appeal to white audiences, its need to tour in the South, its internal debates over whether it should sing Smokey Robinson ballads or Norman Whitfield soul, the drug use among many of its members and the complexity of Williams' own personal life are brought up but quickly and often awkwardly dismissed. Such are the perils of doing legacy-creating shows about living people with ownership interests in the material.

AIN'T TOO PROUD Will Close on Broadway January 16th
by BWW Staff - December 28, 2021


 Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations, the smash hit Tony Award®-winning musical will play its final Broadway performance on Sunday, January 16, 2022.

AIN'T TOO PROUD Cancels Performance On Monday, December 27
by A.A. Cristi - December 23, 2021


Ain't Too Proud on Broadway has announced that it has canceled its performance on Monday, December 27.

AIN'T TOO PROUD Cancels Performances Through December 26
by A.A. Cristi - December 20, 2021


Ain't Too Proud on Broadway has cancelled tonight's performance due to a breakthrough COVID-19 case. 

AIN'T TOO PROUD Cancels Tonight's Performance Due to Breakthrough COVID-19 Case
by Chloe Rabinowitz - December 14, 2021


Ain't Too Proud on Broadway has cancelled tonight's performance due to a breakthrough COVID-19 case. 

VIDEO: John Legend Visits the Cast of AIN'T TOO PROUD
by Chloe Rabinowitz - October 29, 2021


Grammy Award-winning superstar John Legend and producing partner Mike Jackson paid a visit to the cast and creative team of the Broadway company of the Tony Award-winning Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations!

VIDEO: Go Inside AIN'T TOO PROUD's Broadway Reopening Night!
by Team BWW - October 18, 2021


Get ready! The Temptations are back on Broadway. Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations officially returned to Broadway at the Imperial Theatre on Saturday night and BroadwayWorld is taking you inside the big night!

VIDEO: Watch the Cast of AIN'T TOO PROUD Perform on GOOD MORNING AMERICA
by Michael Major - October 18, 2021


The cast performed a medley of Temptations hits, including “Get Ready,” “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” and “I Can’t Get Next to You.” Watch the full performance now!

Photos: AIN'T TOO PROUD Re-Opens on Broadway; Go Inside the Big Night!
by Bruce Glikas - October 17, 2021


Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations officially returned to Broadway at the Imperial Theatre on Saturday, October 16.

AIN'T TOO PROUD Announces General Rush Policy and Digital Lottery
by Chloe Rabinowitz - October 15, 2021


Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations, the smash Tony Award-winning musical sensation, returned at the Imperial Theatre (249 West 45th Street). Find out how to get Rush and Lotto tickets. 

John Legend's Get Lifted Film Co. Joins Producing Team of AIN'T TOO PROUD
by Chloe Rabinowitz - October 4, 2021


Twelve-time Grammy Award-winning superstar John Legend and his partners Mike Jackson and Ty Stiklorious in Get Lifted Film Co., have joined the producing team of the smash Broadway musical sensation Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations, it was announced today.

Back On Broadway: Jawan M. Jackson Talks Returning to AIN'T TOO PROUD, Working With New Cast Members & More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - October 15, 2021


BroadwayWorld's new interview series Back on Broadway is taking readers on the exciting journey of Broadway's return to the stage! Next up in the series is Jawan M. Jackson, returning to his role as Melvin Franklin in Ain't Too Proud! 

AIN'T TOO PROUD Box Office Opens Today
by Stephi Wild - September 20, 2021


The Imperial Theatre box office (249 West 45th Street) opens today at 10 AM for the Tony Award-winning musical Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations which will return with a gala performance on Saturday, October 16.

AIN'T TOO PROUD Announces Broadway Cast With Nik Walker, James Harkness, Jelani Remy, Jawan M. Jackson & Matt Manuel
by Chloe Rabinowitz - September 1, 2021


Today, complete casting was announced for Broadway’s Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations, as the Tony Award-winning musical prepares to return to the Imperial Theatre (249 West 45th Street) with a gala performance on Saturday, October 16.

VIDEO: AIN'T TOO PROUD Cast Gets Broadway-Ready at the Imperial Theatre
by Nicole Rosky - August 27, 2021


It's not just your imagination! Broadway is coming back and so are the Temptations!  Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations, the Tony Award-winning musical is getting ready to resume Broadway performances on October 16 at the Imperial Theatre (249 West 45th Street).

Breaking: AIN'T TOO PROUD Will Return to Broadway in October
by Nicole Rosky - May 10, 2021


Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations, the Tony Award-winning musical will resume Broadway performances on October 16, subject to government approval, at the Imperial Theatre (249 West 45th Street) with a gala performance heralding the return of Broadway.

Sunny Showtunes: Embrace Social Distancing with AIN'T TOO PROUD
by A.A. Cristi - April 20, 2020


We here at BroadwayWorld know that sometimes social-distancing can get you down. With the theatre industry at a standstill, many of us are craving some trademark musical theatre merriment to keep our spirits up while keeping ourselves and others safe.

VIDEO: The Cast of AIN'T TOO PROUD Performs with Motown Songwriters Eddie and Brian Holland
by Kaitlin Milligan - February 26, 2020


On Wednesday, February 26's episode of The View, Motown songwriters Eddie and Brian Holland were joined by the cast of Broadway's a?oeAin't Too Prouda?? for a special collaboration of their hit songs.

Nik Walker and Matt Manuel Will Join AIN'T TOO PROUD as Otis Williams and David Ruffin
by Chloe Rabinowitz - February 19, 2020


The producers of Broadway's Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of The Temptations announced today that they will welcome Hamilton alum Nik Walker and Detroit native Matt Manuel to the musical as Otis Williams and David Ruffin, respectively, beginning Friday, February 28, 2020. Derrick Baskin and Ephraim Sykes, the Tony Award® nominated original Temptations actors, will depart the production on Wednesday, February 26, 2020.

AIN'T TOO PROUD Has Broken the Box Office House Record at the Imperial Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - December 30, 2019


Producers Ira Pittelman and Tom Hulce announced today that Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of The Temptations has once again broken the box office house record at the Imperial Theatre (249 West 45th Street). Ain't Too Proud's gross for the week ending December 29, 2019, was $1,865,016.90, the highest in the history of the Imperial Theatre. The musical broke its own record of $1,710,207.90 set the week of December 8, 2019. Prior to that, Billy Elliot: The Musical held the Imperial's house record, grossing $1,663,895.00 in January 2010.

VIDEO: AIN'T TOO PROUD Celebrates the 55th Anniversary of 'My Girl' with Subway Performance
by Chloe Rabinowitz - December 20, 2019


Ain't Too Proud's Derrick Baskin, Jawan M. Jackson, Jelani Remy, James Harkness, and Ephraim Sykes, sang a?oeMy Girla?? a cappella for some lucky subway riders in celebration of the song's 55th anniversary, which is officially tomorrow, December 21st.

Video: Bill And Hillary Clinton Stop By AIN'T TOO PROUD On Broadway
by A.A. Cristi - December 13, 2019


This week, President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton stopped by Broadway's Ain't Too Proud and swung by backstage after the show to meet with the cast.

AIN'T TOO PROUD " THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS Breaks Imperial Theatre Box Office Record
by Chloe Rabinowitz - December 9, 2019


Producers Ira Pittelman and Tom Hulce announced today that the smash hit Broadway musical Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of The Temptations has set a new box office record at the Imperial Theatre (249 West 45th Street). Ain't Too Proud's gross for the week ending December 8, 2019, was $1,710,207.90 in the 1,424 seat theater, the highest for any week at the Imperial Theatre. Prior to Ain't Too Proud, Billy Elliot: The Musical held the house record ($1,663,895.00) set in January 2010.

VIDEO: AIN'T TOO PROUD Kicks Off Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with Show Medley
by Abigail Charpentier - November 28, 2019


The cast of Ain't Too Proud kicked off the 93rd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with a medley of 'Get Ready,' 'Ain't Too Proud To Beg' and 'I Can't Get Next To You.'

Ain't Too Proud History

Other Productions of Ain't Too Proud

2017   Regional (US) Berkeley Rep World Premiere Production
Regional (US)
2021   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
2021   US Tour First National Tour
US Tour
2023   West End
West End
2024   US Tour Second National Tour
US Tour

Ain't Too Proud - 2021 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
2019 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Book of a Musical Dominique Morisseau
2019 Drama League Awards Distinguished Performance Award Jeremy Pope
2019 Drama League Awards Distinguished Performance Award Ephraim Sykes
2019 Drama League Awards Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations
2019 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Choreographer Sergio Trujillo
2019 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Ephraim Sykes
2019 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Orchestrations Harold Wheeler
2019 Tony Awards Best Book of a Musical Dominique Morisseau
2019 Tony Awards Best Choreography Sergio Trujillo
2019 Tony Awards Best Costume Design of a Musical Paul Tazewell
2019 Tony Awards Best Direction of a Musical Des McAnuff
2019 Tony Awards Best Lighting Design of a Musical Howell Binkley
2019 Tony Awards Best Musical Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations
2019 Tony Awards Best Orchestrations Harold Wheeler
2019 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical Ephraim Sykes
2019 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical Jeremy Pope
2019 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical Derrick Baskin
2019 Tony Awards Best Scenic Design of a Musical Robert Brill
2019 Tony Awards Best Sound Design of a Musical Steve Canyon Kennedy

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