Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations
If you loved the ‘70s era, this is your chance to go back in time and celebrate the lives and works of the sensational The Temptations! This spring, Portland’s premier entertainment destination, the Keller Auditorium, is set to host a six-day run of The Temptations’ biographical musical Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations! From February 7 to 12, the production of Ain’t Too Proud will be conquering the Keller Auditorium. This Tony Award-winning musical is set to show The Temptations’ incredible journey to success while showcasing colossal hits, including “Just My Imagination,” “Treat Her Like a Lady, ” “My Girl,” and “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.” The musical, based on the book “The Temptations” by Otis Williams, is led by an award-winning creative team and a fantastic and talented cast! So hurry and relive the glory days of The Temptations and witness their music come to life when you grab your tickets to Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations!
The Temptations’ legacy in music is unprecedented. The legendary group from Detroit, Michigan, defied all odds and became one of the most commercially successful music acts in the millennium. The group has released 43 critically acclaimed studio albums and sold more than 20 million copies all over the world. Emerging in 1960, The Temptations gave audiences timeless gems, such as “Just My Imagination (Runnin’ Away with Me),” “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” and “My Girl.” These three songs were all included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s “500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.” The group’s six-decade career has produced 37 massive hits that entered the Top 40, four of which peaked at number 1. The group, which possesses exemplary vocal prowess, is also the epitome of charm and style, with members executing choreographies and exuding a sleek look. Sixty years after their debut, The Temptations’ music is still enjoyed by millions of listeners. The group’s success received numerous accolades, including three Grammy Awards and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013. Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations are based on the book by three-time Obie Award-winning playwright Dominique Morisseau. The Broadway production was led by Tony Award-winning director Des McAnuff. Meanwhile, the musical also featured the award-winning choreography by Tony Awardee Sergio Trujillo, whose credits include Memphis The Musical, Leap of Faith, and Jersey Boys.
“This production refreshingly emphasizes the improbable triumph of rough, combustible parts assembled into glistening smoothness.” – The New York Times.
“Choreographer Sergio Trujillo gives the singers slick moves considerably more polished than the originals ever managed, while Robert Brill’s efficient turntable set is highlighted by Peter Nigrini’s projections that provide location and historical context.” – Newsday.
Ain’t Too Proud received several rave reviews from professional critics. Ben Brantley from The New York Times has plenty of good words for Ain’t Too Proud, “This production refreshingly emphasizes the improbable triumph of rough, combustible parts assembled into glistening smoothness.” Meanwhile, Daily Beast’s Tim Teeman said, “This jukebox musical not only has life, but it also has wit, intelligence, while also looking stunning and full of energy.” Ain’t Too Proud, being a jukebox musical, highlights its excellent score. However, BroadwayWorld’s Michael Dale expressed his delight in the musical’s storyline, “While the great Motown songs like ‘Just My Imagination,’ ‘Get Ready’ and ‘Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,’ maybe Ain’t Too Proud’s main attraction, Morriseau’s well-crafted storytelling, proves just as important as musical memories.”
Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations opens on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at the Keller Auditorium. The production will be holding eight performances at the 3,000-capacity theater. The Keller Auditorium has been hosting Portland’s most exciting Broadway shows and other events since opening in 1912. The venue has gone through millions of dollars worth of renovations, providing guests with state-of-the-art facilities. If you want to experience the magic of Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations, secure your tickets to the production’s Keller Auditorium performances from February 7 to 12, 2023!
