Theater News

Temptations Musical Ain't Too Proud Aims for Broadway in 2018

The production features a book by Dominique Morisseau.

Ephraim Sykes (David Ruffin), Jeremy Pope (Eddie Kendricks), James Harkness (Paul Williams), Derrick Baskin (Otis Williams), and Jared Joseph (Melvin Franklin) in the world premiere of Ain't Too Proud—The Life and Times of The Temptations at Berkeley Repertory Theatre.
Ephraim Sykes (David Ruffin), Jeremy Pope (Eddie Kendricks), James Harkness (Paul Williams), Derrick Baskin (Otis Williams), and Jared Joseph (Melvin Franklin) in the world premiere of Ain’t Too Proud — The Life and Times of the Temptations at Berkeley Repertory Theatre.
(© Kevin Berne)

Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations, a new musical by Dominique Morisseau, is aiming for Broadway in fall 2018, producers Tom Hulce and Ira Pittelman told Variety. The production, directed by Des McAnuff, is currently breaking box office records at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, where it runs through November 5.

Exploring the rise and history of the iconic Motown music group, Ain't Too Proud features a book by Morisseau, with a score of hits culled from the legendary Motown catalogue (by arrangement with Sony/ATV Music Publishing). The musical has choreography by Sergio Trujillo, musical direction, supervision, and arrangements by Kenny Seymour, and orchestrations by Harold Wheeler.

Cast members include Esther Antoine (swing), Derrick Baskin (Otis Williams), Shawn Bowers (Lamont), Jeremy Cohen (Shelly Berger), E. Clayton Cornelious (Richard Street), James Harkness (Paul Williams), Rodney Earl Jackson Jr. (swing), Taylor Symone Jackson (Johnnie Mae), Jared Joseph (Melvin Franklin), Jahi Kearse (Berry Gordy), Jarvis B. Manning, Jr. (Al Bryant), Jeremy Pope (Eddie Kendricks), Devin L. Roberts (swing), Rashidra Scott (Josephine), Caliaf St. Aubyn (Dennis Edwards), Ephraim Sykes (David Ruffin), Nasia Thomas (Tammi Terrell), Christian Thompson (Smokey Robinson), and Candice Marie Woods (Diana Ross).

The creative team is also made up of Robert Brill (scenic designer), Paul Tazewell (costume designer), Howell Binkley (lighting designer), Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound designer), Peter Nigrini (projection designer), Charles G. LaPointe (hair and wig designer), and Steve Rankin (fight director).

For tickets to the Berkeley Rep production, click here.