Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations

Reviewed by Julia Stier
Center Theatre Group
Through January 1

RECOMMENDED

Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations is back at The Ahmanson as part of a national tour after its initial run in 2018. Even if you’re not a diehard fan of the titular group, the tight harmonies and thrilling dance moves make the two-and-a-half hour runtime fly by.

A jukebox musical of Motown hits, with a book by Dominique Morisseau and directed by Des McAnuff, Ain’t Too Proud tells the story of the inception of the legendary Motown group, The Temptations. Known for their classics, such as “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)” and “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” – all of which were included on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s list of the 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll – The Temptations went through a journey rife with growing pains, personality clashes, and personal sacrifices to become the legendary group that they are today.

I didn’t know much about The Temptations going into this, but quickly found that it didn’t matter.  You don’t have to be a fan in order to appreciate the musicality and showmanship of these performers.

The story focuses on the founding members of the group – Otis Williams (Marcus Paul James), Paul Williams (James T. Lane), Melvin Franklin (Harrell Holmes Jr.), Eddie Kendricks (Jalen Harris), and David Ruffin (Elijah Ahmad Lewis).

Lewis and Harris as David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks, respectively, are ones to watch. As the group’s showman and crooner, the two – both the actors and the characters they portray – bring a thrilling star quality to the group.

Holmes Jr., as Melvin Franklin, rounds out the group with his smooth, deep-bass voice, and Lane, as Paul Williams, infuses the men with a playful energy.

Marcus Paul James carries the show as Otis Williams, the founder of The Temptations – and the last living member of the original quintet. A surprise curtain speech from Otis himself brought an already exuberant audience to a whole new level of excitement.

I typically enjoy musicals, but this one really blew me away. With modern musicals focusing more on theme and story rather than spectacle, the triple-threat actor is becoming more and more of an outlier. But not in this show. I left the theatre with a deep respect for each of the performers, and in awe of their performances and skill.

Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Avenue, Dwntn.; Tues.-Fri., 8 pm., Sat., 2 & 8pm, Sun., 1pm and 6:30pm; Sat., Dec. 31 2 & 7pm; No evening perfs on Christmas Eve and no perfs on Christmas; through Jan. 1. CenterTheatreGroup.org; (Running time two hours  and thirty-five minutes, with a fifteen-minute intermission.) https://ctgla.org