AIN’T TOO PROUD TO PUT ON A GOOD SHOW
From 1964 to 1969, there was hardly a time when there wasn’t a hit on the Top 40 by The Temptations. A staple of ‘60s Motown music, the five men of The Temptations seemed able to do no wrong, with hits like “My Girl,” “The Way You Do The Things You Do,” and “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg.” Behind the scenes, though, from the streets of Detroit to finding fame, there was a world of challenges that nearly kept us from singing and dancing along, adding up to a great story for a musical. And can there be any question of the score being outstanding?
The ensemble
Sometimes jukebox bio-musicals get so caught up in the fame and fortune of the journey that they miss the creative passion that is the true force driving most artists forward. Happily, Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations—coming to Sand Diego’s Civic Auditorium March 28-30, 2025—puts the music front and center, and under Des McAnuff’s expert direction, the performers give themselves over fully to the experience. The magic of the music takes over. Dialogue about how much music means to them takes second position to seeing it in action for ourselves.
Jameson Clanton, Josiah Travis Kent Rogers, Lowes Moore, Rudy Foster, Bryce Valle
From what I’ve seen in the videos, all five performers who play the Temptations—Rudy Foster, Jameson Clanton, Bryce Valle, Lowes Moore , and Josh Travis Kent Rogers—are spectacular, each with moments of greatness, each with his own style. This looks like it’s going to be a whole lot of fun, stirring up memories and energy, thanks to a compelling story and the intricate, energetic dancing to Sergio Trujillo’s choreography.
With a book by Dominique Morisseau (of the upcoming Soul Train musical) and lyrics, obviously, by the Temptations, the Broadway production closed in March of 2020, running just shy of a year before being halted by the pandemic. It reopened as restrictions lifted, running another eight months.
Jameson Clanton, Lowes Moore, Jamal Stone, Rudy Foster, Bryce Valle
Ain’t Too Proud was a Broadway hit with its solid run and this critic anticipates a powerful performance of the classic Temptations’ music with a fascinating back story, making it a great choice for fans of the Motown era and quality musical theater alike.
photos 2024 by Joan Marcus
Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations
national tour presented by Broadway San Diego
San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave
Fri March 28 at 8; Sat March 29 at 2 & 8; Sun March 30 at 1 & 6:30
for tickets (beginning at $56.25, incl. fee), call 619.564.3000 or visit BroadwaySD
tour continues; for dates and cities, visit Aint Too Proud Musical
