The reviews for Ain’t Too Proud are in, and the critics may be split about where this one lands in the overall jukebox musicals standings, but there’s no disagreement about the immense talent being showcased onstage. The performances of the original five Temptations (by Otis Williams, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks, and David Ruffin) are sensational, with each showcasing individuality and teamwork at once. Also memorable are cameos by the Supremes, with Candice Marie Woods delivering a stunning Diana Ross. All in all, Ain’t Too Proud may not be the smash hit of another Des McAnuff jukebox-er (Jersey Boys) but with performances this good, it’s got plenty to be proud of.
NEW YORK TIMES REVIEW OF AIN’T TOO PROUD – THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS
While honoring all the expected biomusical clichés, which include rolling out its subjects’ greatest hits in brisk and sometimes too fragmented succession, this production refreshingly emphasizes the improbable triumph of rough, combustible parts assembled into glistening smoothness…
DEADLINE REVIEW OF AIN’T TOO PROUD – THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS
Opening tonight, Ain’t Too Proud mostly accomplishes what so many of the lesser examples of this genre haven’t – a fine cast performs beloved songs, performs them well enough to conjure and honor the people they’re playing and the songs they’re singing, and adds enough Broadway dazzle to give the production an ed…
VARIETY REVIEW OF AIN’T TOO PROUD – THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS
When the Supremes appear a few times to sing with the Temps, the show suddenly gets a jolt of true star power, thanks to Candice Marie Woods’ electrifying performance as Diana Ross. But these brief moments also remind you of the Supremes-inspired, classic musical “Dreamgirls” — and the kind of rich and complex…
HOLLYWOOD REPORTER REVIEW OF AIN’T TOO PROUD – THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS
Merely plowing through all this locks Ain’t Too Proud into VH1: Behind the Music territory, but at least it’s done with intelligence and taste. If the show often plays like a hits compilation with commentary, the relative paucity of extended dramatic scenes is overshadowed at every step by the sheer exhilaration…
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY REVIEW OF AIN’T TOO PROUD – THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS
What makes Ain’t Too Proud memorable is the sheer overwhelming talent of the cast. Even if no one character has enough time or space in the script to fill in the contours of a full personality beyond a few fast details — baritone Otis Williams liked his suits electric blue; Falsetto king Eddie Kendricks got the…
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