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 So so good. The dancing is even better than the singing. A fabulous tale re: the music industry. Huge amount of talent. ALSO

Don't see it if Sorry that we missed Jeremy Pope.

Also When do we see a large orchestra these days? And so good. The size of the cast and the cost and work for the costume designer must be staggering.... 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 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 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 you would like an entertaining and often moving story of the group The Temptations. I knew their music and now I know more about them.

Don't see it if you do not like The Temptations or their music or any Motown music.

Also I liked the telling of how the group formed and evolved. The music was wonderful and involved other groups such as the Supremes. I learned a lot about their lives and the show also tells of the times in which they lived. There are several moving and sad moments but also inspirational ones.... 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 You are hoping to get a real insightful look as to what it was like for the Temptations as they rose to fame

Don't see it if You are expecting a light and fluffy musical. This is very much a drama with some really sad moments

Also I don’t see many musicals so it’s probably not that big of a surprise but this is the second time I’m saying this in one week, this is my new favorite musical.
I was skeptical about seeing this because I know Otis Williams is alive and had a lot to do with putting this together. I was terrified that he was going to make himself look like a perfect angel and make the rest of the band look bad. There was a bit of that but I was pleasantly surprised.
The Most interesting thing about this is if you know nothing about the Temptations you will still enjoy this. If you are a big fan of them like I am you will also enjoy it... Read more Read less

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 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’re up for flawlessly executed song and dance and panache. I teared up on cue.

Don't see it if Similar to other “how we became famous/nearly destroyed ourselves at the expense of everyone around us but hey what a legacy” true stories.

Also I’m not really into destructive celebrity culture and usually pass on tribute shows like this. Some apparently find the biographical detail lacking, but I enjoyed the group dynamics in this jukebox musical more than others I’ve seen that draw from the cult-of-personality of solo artists. And group dances are fun :) I’m glad I caught this one.... Read more Read less

See it if You love the Temptations.

Don't see it if You are looking for high brow entertainment, good story

See it if you're a fan of Motown music. When the excellent cast is singing & dancing, the show soars..

Don't see it if when the music stops so does the momentum. The show is based on the remembrances of Otis Williams.

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 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 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 Did you like Motown? It’s nearly impossible not to have fun. Are the Temptations reincarnated? No, but the facsimiles are better dancers!

Don't see it if Please remember this is a Broadway show, not a rock concert. There’s no need to shout David Ruffin’s name - you’re watching an actor.

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 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 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 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.