London had better get ready, cause here they come! The unmistakable sound of The Temptations is set to take over the West End as the jukebox musical, Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations makes the jump over the pond from Broadway to arrive in the capital at the Prince Edward Theatre from March 2023. Read on to discover more about the Motown sensations ahead of seeing the incredible Tony-winning musical that everyone is talking about. Tickets to Ain’t Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations are now on sale online.
What is the story in Ain’t Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations about?
Ain’t Too Proud musical charts both the private and public lives of the Motown sensations, The Temptations: Otis Williams, David Ruffin, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, and Eddie Kendricks. Although the group rose to find international fame, it wasn't always easy for the quintet. Individually, they battled their own many demons as violence, drug addiction, and alcoholism was always present throughout their lives, but as 'Otis Williams' takes guides audiences through a whistlestop history Motown, you'll quickly understand why The Temptations commanded respect among their peers and were regarded as some of the most talented artists around.
Which theatre is Ain’t Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations playing in the West End?
West End performances of Ain’t Too Proud will begin at the Prince Edward Theatre in March 2023. Previous popular musicals to feature at the venue include Mary Poppins and Mamma Mia!
What is the duration of Ain’t Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations?
The running time of Ain’t Too Proud is 2 hours and 30 minutes, which includes a 15-minute interval. Matinee performances begin at 2:30pm or 3:00pm and finish at 5:00pm or 5:30pm respectively. Evening performances of the show begin at 7:30pm and finish at 10:00pm.
What days of the week does Ain’t Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations play?
There are eight performances per week at the Prince Edward Theatre of Ain't Too Proud with evening performances taking place daily from Tuesday to Saturday and additional matinee performances on Thursdays, Saturdays, & Sundays.
When was the premiere of Ain’t Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations?
The long journey to Broadway for Ain't Too Proud began at California’s Berkeley Rep with an initial two-month season from August 31st to October 8th, 2017, however, due to sell-out performances the show extended its initial run to November 5th, 2017.
The original cast of Ain't Too Proud featured Ephraim Sykes as David Ruffin, Jeremy Pope as Eddie Kendricks, Derrick Baskin as Otis Williams, Jared Joseph as Melvin Franklin, and James Harkness as Paul Williams.
Jawan M. Jackson took over the role of Melvin Franklin in 2018 and Ain’t Too Proud then began playing regional performances in Los Angeles, Washington DC, and Toronto, before finally opening at the Imperial Theatre on Broadway on February 28th, 2019.
Who wrote the musical Ain’t Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations?
Dominique Morisseau made her writing debut in a musical for Ain’t Too Proud. Morisseau is a multi-award-winning playwright whose previous work include the 'Detroit Project'.
Who are the characters in Ain’t Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations?
The Ain’t Too Proud musical focusses on the "Classic Five" Temptations members along with appearances from notable Motown figures like Tammi Terrell, Diana Ross, Berry Gordy, and Smokey Robinson. Find out more info about the "Classic Five" Temptations below.
Otis Williams was born in Texarkana, Texas in 1941,and is the sole founding member of the Temptations. Williams was a founding member of the group who signed to Motown Records in 1961 and still performs with The Temptations and owns all of the rights to the group’s name.
Melvin Franklin was born as David Melvin English in Montgomery, Alabama in 1942 and performed with the Temptations for over three decades. Franklin was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at a young age and took cortisone to continue performing, but subsequently developed numerous different health conditions. Franklin passed away in 1995.
Eddie Kendricks was born in Union Springs, Alabama in 1939 and performed with the Temptations for over 10 years. Kendricks left the group in 1973 to go solo and released songs including “Shoeshine Boy” and "Boogie Down". Kendricks sadly died in 1992.
Paul Williams was born in Ensley, Alabama in 1939 and was a member of the group for over a decade. Williams began as the group’s original lead singer and a lived a trouble life: he was diagnosed with sickle-cell anaemia, and later had a failed solo career and numerous business ventures. Williams eventually committed suicide in 1973.
David Ruffin was born in Whynot, Mississippi in 1941 and took the place of Elbridge "Al" Bryant in the group in 1964. Ruffin sang background initially, but he was eventually promoted and put in the centre for famous songs including “My Girl." Rolling Stone magazine hailed his voice as one of the greatest of all time before his death in 1991.
Has Ain’t Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations won any awards?
Ain’t Too Proud has so far received 12 Tony Award nominations along with an additional Grammy nomination too! Here’s all the major award nominations for the show below, with wins in bold.
Tony Awards
"Best Musical"
"Best Orchestrations" - Harold Wheeler
"Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical" - Derrick Baskin
"Best Lighting Design in a Musical" - Howell Binkley
"Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical" - Jeremy Pope
"Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical" - Ephraim Sykes
"Best Scenic Design in a Musical" - Robert Brill and Peter Nigrini
"Best Book of a Musical" - Dominique Morisseau
"Best Direction of a Musical" - Des McAnuff
"Best Choreography" - Sergio Trujillio
"Best Costume Design in a Musical" - Paul Tazewell
"Best Sound Design of a Musical" - Steve Canyon Kennedy
Grammy Awards
"Best Musical Theater Album"
What songs feature in Ain’t Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations?
Ain’t Too Proud features a host of the group’s most famous hit songs, as well as other chart-topping songs from other Motwn artists. Discover the full list of songs featured in Ain’t Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations.
Act 1:
"The Way You Do The Things You Do”
"Runaway Child, Running Wild"
"Gloria"
"In The Still Of The Night"
"Speedo"
"Shout"
"I Want A Love I Can See"
"My Girl"
"Get Ready"
"You Can't Hurry Love"
"Come See About Me"
"Baby Love"
"Since I Lost My Baby"
"Ain't Too Proud To Beg"
"Don't Look Back"
"You're My Everything"
"If I Could Build My Whole World Around You"
"If You Don't Know Me By Now"
"(I Know) I'm Losing You"
"I Wish It Would Rain"
"I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)"
Act 2:
"I Can't Get Next To You"
"I'm Gonna Make You Love Me"
"War"
"Ball Of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today)"
"Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)"
"Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are)"
"For Once In My Life"
"Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" - Part 1
"Cloud Nine"
"Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" - Part 2
"What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted"
"I Can't Get Next To You"
Some fun facts about Ain’t Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations
Jawan M. Jackson has played Melvin Franklin in both 'Motown the Musical', and then again in Ain’t Too Proud on Broadway and now performs as a real member of Temptations after officially joining the group earlier this year.
The choreographer in Ain't Too Proud, Sergio Trujillo has previously worked on other 'Jukebox musicals' including Jersey Boys, Gloria Estefan musical On Your Feet and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical.
After Ain’t Too Proud premiered in California at Berkeley Rep, the Temptations musical was the best-selling production of all time at the theatre.
How to book tickets to see Ain’t Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations
Ain’t Too Proud is set to bring the Motown madness to the West End with its sensational style and melodies Theatre tickets to the London production of the show at the Prince Edward Theatre can be booked both securely online and through the box office. There is much anticipation ahead of the opening of Ain't Too Proud meaning that it is unlikely that there will be official discounts for this show for some time. Bargain hunters looking to purchase lastminute theatre tickets should look at midweek and matinee performances and study the seating plan of the venue to look for weaknesses in the pricing structure and its cut off points to keep prices down.