Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations (NYC)

See it if You want a high energy, entertaining way to learn about The Temptations. If you liked Jersey Boys you’ll probably like this.

Don't see it if You hate jukebox musicals, this is about as typical as they come...”First we did this...sing a song...then we did that...sing another song”.

Also I went in with VERY LOW EXPECTATIONS and was pleasantly surprised. The book was interesting and didn’t seem to whitewash so much as so many of the other bio shows do. The dancing was incredible!... Read more Read less

See it if Another ho hum jukebox musical . Great sets some great singing and dancing.

Don't see it if Story plot is weak and banal. Costant motion that stands still.

See it if you like the Motown sound & want to see spectacular performers recreate the sounds & moves of The Temps (& to a lesser degree The Supremes).

Don't see it if u hope for a musical w/heart, depth or an unbiased POV; u might get motion sickness from the set pieces & projections that NEVER STOP MOVING

Also This is a true "jukebox musical" in the sense that you might as well have just put a jukebox on the stage & played Motown music. It would have elicited the same reaction. (Well, except for the classic Temptations choreography, which is brilliantly recreated.) The biographical sketches are wafer thin, and the biggest crime is that the entire thing is told strictly from the point of view of the only surviving member, Otis Williams. Morisseau's lazy book (when they're not singing, the exposition is basically delivered in narration by Otis) is completely one-sided and skims over so many important biographical details & historical contexts. Otis is the hero. Otis is the saint. Otis is the glue. Otis is vice-less. Otis is the martyr. Otis is the savior. Otis is the survivor.

If you're a Motown fan (and who isn't, really?), you will enjoy the concert. As a Wikipedia fan, you will appreciate the just-the-facts-ma'am book (as edited by Otis). As a theatre fan, you will be left wanting.... Read more Read less

See it if You like the Temptations, Motown, history of R&B, great dance moves, inner workings of a music group, dynamic presentation, true stories

Don't see it if You’re not a fan of the Temptations, R&B music, Motown music, loud sound & bright moving lights, superficial historical plots

See it if 2 see super-slick, high energy choreography mated to the Temp's iconic hits; appreciate how racial environment affected group

Don't see it if biopicish: conventional story of group's rise/fall; tho performers are strong singers, there's no way you'll confuse them w the originals

Also This show, more or less, faithfully tells the triumphant but ultimately sad story of the Temptations in a routinized way, primarily thru narration by the founder of the group. Not surprisingly, each member comes to a bitter end. But you need more than this for compelling theater. First, since you only get to know the founder's story in any depth, there is little drama/pathos attached to the downfall of other members. Also, certain questions beg to be addressed but aren't such as: Is it impossible to keep a group together whose success is fueled by the egos of its members? Overall assessment: tho songs & performances are rousing, due to an uninspired book that presents the story of the Temp's as a series of discrete events, without perspective or insight, the show doesn't soar.... Read more Read less

See it if You love the Temps, or would like to see a well-done jukebox musical that tells an interesting story briskly and with great music/dancing.

Don't see it if You’re sick of jukebox musicals, especially those about Motown sensations.

See it if Jukebox bio musical of '60s R&B group. Familiar lively renditions of Detroiter favourites w/ pathos sprinkled throughout.Great choreography.

Don't see it if Unlike jukebox of Tina, Donna, Gloria & Cher with one single thread focus; the narrative here is clogged by five. Unfamiliar Temp featured.

Also Not begging for more.

See it if You love Motown music and the Temptations. This songs are nostalgic & the choreography is wonderful. Pace could be faster.

Don't see it if You expect an elaborate musical and set. Or a great storyline acted out by the singers. One Temptation is the main narrator.

Also If you were alive in the Motown era, this is a must see. The audience was on its feet at the end when the orchestra and singers played an encore.
Singing is uneven throughout the performance. There are some really spectacular moments.... Read more Read less

See it if Polished professional production. Very talented actors who can dance & sing, and seem like they're having a great time. Storyline too.

Don't see it if You're not in the mood for a feel-good pick-me-up musical.

See it if Otis Williams is the last man standing of the original five and the foundation for 24 singers who have performed as the Temptations.

Don't see it if You don’t like the Temptations Motown crossover songs. Front mezzanine provides the best overall view.

See it if you want to see a Temptations tribute group do an impersonation.Choreo isn't as sharp as it should be.They frequently aren't in sync.

Don't see it if you don't want 1 more bio show written by the person involved so that they are the hero and/or victim of every event.No admission of error.

See it if you remember The Temptations and like their music, if you like R&B & enjoy good singing & would enjoy background stories about the band.

Don't see it if You do not care for this band or their music and do not enjoy stories about bands and their members.

See it if you want a great story, great acting, singing, and dancing, and a great time!

Don't see it if you are dead inside. Actually, see it especially then - this will revive you!

See it if jukebox musical about the group with its multiple members over time; story reflecting the different times in which they performed*

Don't see it if Want the individual songs longer; don't want a story narrated

Also * (such as Detroit Riots, segregation,etc.) Also shows some of the famous people that affected their rise. The show manages to give depth to the individual members of the group, showing the different egos.
A narrator (an actor playing the last original member of the group) begins each scene. Would be hard to accomplish as much as the musical does without that shortcut.... Read more Read less

See it if Saw this before Broadway. It's another musical bio show (like Jersey Boys, Beautiful etc) I'm particularly fond of the music, and fun choreo

Don't see it if Seeing another bio show doesn't interest you.

Also Saw this 9/08/18 in LA

See it if a fan of The Temptations (or not), Motown music, or biographical musicals that keep the light bright and mostly away from the darker stuff.

Don't see it if expecting a super-realistic look at the creation and legacy of The Temptations and their contemporary world, with sociopolitical honesty.

Also Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations is a jukebox-/bio-musical that begins smoothly but, by Act II, feels rushed (because the closer we are to the present, the less exciting it all feels). Yes, there’s a layer (many) of nostalgia over everything, but that’s what we’re here to hear: the R&B, soulful music that sends us back into memories or connotes an alternative era when we heard a now-classic Temptations song for the first time. Even if too young for their original debut, you’ll be surprised at just how many songs you actual know (words, too!). There are darker tones: negligent parenting, death, illness, alcoholism, drug addiction (and consequences). But it’s all swept away by catchy music that doesn’t keep us down for long. Expect some froth more than realism and simply enjoy this well-performed piece with stellar singers at the heart of it, recreating a magnificent slice of the past without directly addressing the socio-political ugliness of the mid-20th-century.... Read more Read less

See it if You love the songs of the temptations

Don't see it if you want to see a play

See it if like Temptations music told is a standard, seen-before format. Like Jersey Boys this is for you though what's the difference?

Don't see it if want more than "this is what happened" kind of show. Better biopics out there. Too much just facing forward and telling the story.

See it if you don't know the story behind the Temptations and all the music of theirs you know and love. An interesting bio-musical

Don't see it if you don't know or care about the Temptations or don't enjoy biographical musicals (although this is a good one).

Also I enjoy the music of the Temptations, but being from a later generations, I didn't know their story or their music in their heyday. Fascinating stories. The musical was very well done. Great performers in the roles of the main Temps, but a deep bench of talent in all of the supporting roles too. And if you go to the stage door, it's one of the friendliest casts you will encounter!... Read more Read less

See it if You liked both Jersey Boys and Motown. This is a mashup of those two.

Don't see it if You don’t like the music of the Temptations or you don’t know who they are.

See it if Highly entertaining juke box musical about the Temptations. Well written book,creative staging.Great singing and dancing by ensemble cast

Don't see it if You are not a fan of Motown music of juke box musicals.

See it if You love the music and want to know more about who and what it took to be the Temptations. This is so much more than a jukebox musical.

Don't see it if You have never been a Temptations fan if such a operson even exists.

See it if you really liked the Temptations. It was interesting to get the background information and great to hear their music

Don't see it if you're not into mo-town or rock and roll

See it if Amazing singing and dancing — so on point! "Bio pic" of the institution of The Temptations and its members (sadly, many die young).

Don't see it if Motown or R&B aren't your jam. Had elements of racism, but would've liked more social commentary, esp. on the premature deaths of black men.

Also Ticket from online lottery for $42. Seat on side orchestra.

See it if you're familiar with the music of the Temptations and love it; you just plain enjoy being entertained

Don't see it if you don't like Motown music; you don't like juke box musicals; you like more conventional Broadway musicals