“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts”

I hope you have comfortable shoes!  You’ll need them when you go to see the toe-tapping good time that is Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations.  Now playing at the Kennedy Center through January 16th, 2022, Ain’t Too Proud takes its audience on a multi-decade journey to see the creation, rise, and progression of one of the greatest (if not the greatest!) R&B groups of all time.

Based on the memoir of The Temptations’ last surviving founding member, Otis Williams, Ain’t Too Proud, by Dominique Morisseau, tells the tale of brotherhood, fame, and the rise of one of Motown’s most infamous music groups.  With Otis as our guide, the audience weaves through snippets of time and space as they are ushered effortlessly into song after song of the glory days of Motown. 

While Ain’t Too Proud can be called a jukebox musical, that is not to say that there isn’t immense care and attention to the flow exhibited here.  Beautifully paced, Director Des McAnuff has done a resplendent job in balancing the emotional beats of the story in order to allow the music to shine through the good times and the bad; as well as the uncertain.  Choreographer Sergio Trujillo, winner of the 2019 Tony for Best Choreography for Ain’t Too Proud, captures the essence of the group’s flair for movement and physical style showcasing The Temptations’ dynamic showmanship that helped put them on the charts not only on the radio, but TV and live performances as well.

Through the course of the two-and-a-half hour performance, 31 songs are performed, yet the beauty of this show is that it balances the line of ‘not too much’, and ‘just right’ with each song so that the audience is not left to feel like they are solely watching a concert review.  The live band, led by conductor Darryl G. Ivey, will send the music through your veins and into your heart, making it difficult to not want to dance along in your seat.

Morisseau (book) allows just enough of each song to flow through the story to bring the heart and soul of the music to take the stage without commandeering the full show’s runtime.  It is truly hard to say if there were any solid showstoppers because of the care and deftness used in weaving the songs throughout.  This is certainly a show where you could poll the audience, and each member will be likely to tell you which number stood out the most for them based on their own personal favorites.

The minimalist set design balances the action on stage perfectly through a mixed use of lights on a dark background.  The dark gray metallic framing around the set exudes the muted soul of Detroit’s ‘Motor City’ industrial vibes ever-present in the hearts of the men portrayed on stage.  But the strong use of LED and light projections used overtop those dark backgrounds effortlessly captures the feeling of transitioning different theaters and venues over time without ever failing to let the young men on stage be the ones to truly shine.

As for those young men, one would certainly hope that an ensemble cast tasked with bringing the “Life and Times of the Temptations” to life would live up to the challenge, and I am happy to report that each one accomplishes that goal. Each of the men that cycle through the line-up of the group, from their early days as the Elglins all the way up through the umpteenth realignment of The Temptations’ performing members, has a chance to shine and showcase their talent and deserved place in the group’s line-up.

That being said, there are a few actors who were able to shine so brightly in their brief foray in the spotlight that it was a shame they were not able to stick around in the story longer.  Such an instance being The Temptations’ first lead singer, Al Bryant played by Brett Michael Lockley.  The playful Lockley not only exhibits a powerful set of pipes as he joyously belts “Shout,” but also exhibits a fantastic sense of presence in the background as the young group take their first steps towards stardom.  When Al’s character is released from the group early on, it’s not unexpected to feel a little disappointment as Lockley steps back from the spotlight for the rest of the show.   But he at least makes the most of every moment and will be enjoyed by the audience in those fleeting moments!

Our fearless guide on this journey through time and music is founding and final surviving member Otis Williams, played by Marcus Paul James.  James does a fabulous job of taking the audience by the hand and walking them through the history of The Temptations.  James is able to simultaneously take command of the stage and the narrative while also seamlessly sliding into the ensemble of the group in the same breath.  In contrast to James’ leader/team-player characterization, longest lead singer of the group, David Ruffin, played by Elijah Ahmad Lewis, conversely nails the transition from eager addition to the group to troublesome divo.  Lewis beautifully walks the path of a troubled man with a penchant for stealing the limelight and refusing to let it go.  You can feel the tension he creates on stage in his head-strong behavior, but you’ll also feel for him in the rare moments he’s given to be vulnerable.

Melvin “Blue” Franklin (played by Harrell Holmes Jr) serves as the grounding-heart of the band with his deep bass voice and warm personable demeanor as he gives everything he has to the group.  Paul Williams (played by James T. Lane) lands the flair and movements of his character and subsequently the weight of his tragic illness which later prohibits his continuation with the group.

Eddie “Corn” Kendricks (played by Jalen Harris) brings the heat in the devotion he vocalizes for his fellow brothers-in-song and his unwillingness to cut any of them loose.  Dennis Edwards (played by Harris Matthew) brings the soul to the start of Act Two as he shows that his character does indeed fill the shoes of his predecessor, Ruffin, in both talent and irksome behavior. 

One minor critique of the pacing of the story is that it flows from time to time without truly pinpointing specific calendar years in the journey.  In some ways this can feel like it diminishes how impactful The Temptations’ music had been not just through the years, but through the decades.  With 24 members throughout their existence, it is difficult to grasp through the show itself that The Temptations are still to this day performing, having just passed their 60th anniversary in 2020. 

The Temptations have certainly left their mark on the history of music, and Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations dazzles in its homage to this legendary singing group.  Playing at the Kennedy Center for only two more weeks, don’t delay in getting your tickets before they are gone!

Oh, and when you’re there, don’t forget to send an extra cheer for local actor Gregory Carl Banks Jr. (in the role of Lamont) who is making his national tour debut!

Running Time: Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one twenty-minute intermission.

Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations plays through January 16th, 2022 in the Opera House Theatre at  The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F Street NW, Washington, DC. For tickets call the box office at (202) 467-4600 or purchase them online.