'Ain’t Too Proud' Gave Me All the Temptations I Needed

Though it’s no longer lighting up a Broadway marquee, Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations is still dancing through my heart, and firmly holding a spot in my Top 5 shows of all time.

The musical opened at the Imperial Theatre in 2019 and, like many shows, was forced into a pause during the COVID-19 shutdown. It briefly returned in late 2021, but ultimately took its final bow on January 16, 2022, after 488 unforgettable performances. And if you were lucky enough to see it during its run, you know that this show was something special.

Ain’t Too Proud tells the electrifying story of The Temptations, arguably one of the greatest R&B-soul groups of all time. But it’s not just a jukebox musical. It’s a raw, emotional journey through brotherhood, fame, loyalty, heartbreak, and the impact of civil unrest in 1960s and ‘70s America. Nominated for 12 Tony® Awards and the winner of Best Choreography in 2019, the show moves like a concert and hits like a memoir.

Portraying icons like Otis Williams, David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, and Melvin Franklin is no small task, these are men who defined a genre and a generation. But the cast? They did them justice. Every step, every note, every nuanced moment of conflict and connection felt honest and alive. You could feel the weight of the music industry, of society, and of brotherhood bearing down, and still, they rose to the occasion with unmatched talent and heart.

It’s rare to walk out of a theater and feel like you’ve witnessed more than just a performance, but Ain’t Too Proud did that for me. It was a tribute, a time capsule, and a reminder of how art can reflect both joy and struggle all at once.

Even though the curtain’s closed for now, this one sticks with me. And if it ever makes its way back to Broadway (or lands near you on tour)? Don’t walk, run.