The Arsht Center / Miami
AIN’T TOO PROUD — The Life and Times of the Temptations
An electrifying new musical that follows The Temptations’ extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. “Pretty close to perfection!” — The New York Times, Critics’ Pick.
AIN’T TOO PROUD — The Life and Times of the Temptations (@ainttooproudmusical) will make its anticipated Miami premiere at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County (@arshtcenter) from May 9–14, 2023. Featuring the Grammy®-winning songs and Tony®-winning moves, AIN’T TOO PROUD 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 rose to the top of the charts creating an amazing 42 top ten hits with 14 reaching number one and being voted the greatest R&B group of all time by Billboard Magazine in 2017. The rest is history — how they met, 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,” “Get Ready,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” and so many more.
After breaking house records at Berkeley Rep, The Kennedy Center, CTG’s Ahmanson Theatre and Toronto’s Princess of Wales Theatre, AIN’T TOO PROUD opened on Broadway in March 2019, where it continued to play to sold-out audiences and broke the Imperial Theatre’s box office record.
“Electrified by fantastic singing and dancing,” observed London’s The Guardian. My wife agrees one hundred percent, still savoring the music that had us moving non-stop a couple of years ago in Broadway’s Imperial Theater, sipping drinks furtively — masks were still mandatory.
The Creative Team
The first national tour launched in December 2021 at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. Written by Kennedy Prize-winning playwright Dominique Morisseau, directed by two-time Tony Award® winner Des McAnuff, and featuring the Tony Award-winning choreography of Sergio Trujillo, this dazzling production now brings the untold story of the legendary quintet to audiences across the country. The artistic team also 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), Drama Desk Award winner Charles G. LaPointe (hair and wig design), Steve Rankin (fight direction), Brian Harlan Brooks (tour resident director), Edgar Godineaux (associate choreographer), John Miller (music coordinator), Molly Meg Legal (production supervisor), and Nicole Olson (production stage manager). Orchestrations are by Tony Award recipient Harold Wheeler, with music supervision and arrangements by Kenny Seymour. Casting is by Tara Rubin Casting, Merri Sugarman, C.S.A.
The national tour of AIN’T TOO PROUD is produced by Ira Pittelman and Tom Hulce, in association with Stephen Gabriel, executive producer. General management and production management by Work Light Productions.
Cast
Stepping into the role of “Otis Williams” will be original first national tour cast member, Michael Andreaus, and joining the tour from the original Broadway company is E. Clayton Cornelious as “Paul Williams.” They join the current Classic Temptations Jalen Harris as “Eddie Kendricks,” Harrell Holmes Jr. as “Melvin Franklin,” and Elijah Ahmad Lewis as “David Ruffin.”
The tour also welcomes new cast members, Reggie Bromell, Felander, Melvin Gray Jr., Quiana Onrae’l Holmes, Ryan M. Hunt, Jeremy Kelsey, AJ Lockhart, Omar Madden, Dwayne P. Mitchell, Devin Price, Brittny Smith, Amber Mariah Talley, and Nazarria Workman, who will be performing with current tour cast members Brian C. Binion, Shayla Brielle G., Devin Holloway, and Andrew Volzer.
About the Adrienne Arsht Center
Set in the heart of downtown Miami, “the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is committed to welcoming and connecting all people to the arts, to the Arsht Center and to each other,” said a a spokesperson. “Our stages are alive year-round with artists from around the world, innovative programming from our resident companies and local arts partners, free community events that reflect Miami’s unique identity and arts education experiences for thousands of Miami children each year.”
Since opening in 2006, the Arsht Center has been recognized as a catalyst for billions of dollars in new development in the downtown area, a leader in programming that mirrors South Florida’s diversity, a host venue for historic events and Miami’s hub for arts education. “Each year, we serve more than 60,000 young learners and offer more than 100 culturally diverse and inclusive education programs — many enhanced by the Arsht Center’s relationship with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, local teaching artists and Miami-based arts organizations,” added the spokesperson.
The Arsht Center is also a home stage for three resident companies — Florida Grand Opera, Miami City Ballet and New World Symphony — and a launch pad for local artists to make their mark on the international stage. “Our 300+ events each year include the Center’s Signature Series of classical, jazz, Broadway, local theater and much more. We present a robust series of touring Broadway musicals direct from New York, the largest jazz series in South Florida, a major annual Flamenco Festival and an award-winning Miami-based theater program. In addition, our Family Fest, Free Gospel Sundays, CommuniTEA LGBTQ+ celebration and Heritage Fest are among dozens of free events that bring together people from all corners of our community.”
Tickets
Tickets to AIN’T TOO PROUD are $35-$130 and may be purchased now online at arshtcenter.org or at the Adrienne Arsht Center box office by calling (305) 949–6722. For more information, visit arshtcenter.org.
