THE HANGOVER REPORT – The sensational AIN’T TOO PROUD is easily the best bio-jukebox musical since “Jersey Boys”

The cast of "Ain't Too Proud" at the Imperial Theatre. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

The cast of “Ain’t Too Proud” at the Imperial Theatre. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

Last night at the Imperial Theatre, I attended what in my opinion is easily the best jukebox musical – and certainly a strong contender for top honors at the end of the season – since a musical called Jersey Boys captivated Broadway audiences back in 2006. The musical is Ain’t Too Proud, and it sensationally charts the rise to prominence of The Temptations, one of Motown’s greatest cross-over success stories.

I had some initial concerns about Ain’t Too Proud. It veers audaciously and dangerously close to the formula established by other bio-jukebox musicals (many of the merely mediocre), most notably the aforementioned Jersey Boys and Motown. Nevertheless, Dominique Morriseau bravely navigates previously-charted territory, penning a rock solid book that handily and smartly plows through the group’s eventful ride to the top, which is told from the perspective of founding member Otis Williams, whose philosophy to put the needs of the group above all else (even some of its key members) ensures The Temptations’ unprecedented longevity and gives the show its title. She’s also able to strategically weave through the show an unstoppable succession of instantly recognizable chart-topping hits by The Temptations and other Motown favorites.

But it’s the sleekly designed production by director Des McAnuff and choreographer Sergio Trujillo – not surprisingly, the duo that staged Jersey Boys – that truly sets the musical apart. They give Ain’t Too Proud a propulsive, muscular staging reminiscent of Michael Bennett’s cinematic yet thrillingly theatrical musicals (his legendary original production of Dreamgirls played on the very same stage). The ace up Mr. McAnuff’s sleeve is Mr. Trujillo, whose driving choreography is performed with irresistible flair by an uncommonly good cast, including sizzling, star-making turns by Jeremy Pope and Ephraim Sykes as two of the more temperamental original Temptations.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

 

AIN’T TOO PROUD
Broadway, Musical
Imperial Theatre
2 hours, 45 minutes (with one intermission)
Open run

Categories: Broadway, Theater

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