“Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” Reimagines Motown Sound in Detroit Musical This August 

“Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” musical is on tap at the Detroit Opera House in August. 

The Temptations are “back” in Detroit. 

Released in 1966, The Temptations’ “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” song from the “Gettin’ Ready” album will be brought to life in a new way through the upcoming musical, “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations” at the Detroit Opera House. 

Slated to run from Tuesday, August 9, to Sunday, August 28, the two-and-a-half-hour show is at 8:00 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday; 7:30 p.m. Sunay evenings; and 2:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday matinees. An open-caption performance is on tap for 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 14. 

“Ain’t Too Proud” is described as an electrifying, new popular Broadway musical that follows The Temptations’ journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. With their signature dance moves and silky-smooth harmonies, they came to fame at the top of the charts creating 42 Top Ten Hits with 14 of them reaching number one.  

Nominated for 12 Tony Awards, “Ain’t Too Proud” tells the sometimes-tumultuous story of brotherhood, family, loyalty and betrayal, as the group’s personal and political conflicts put their bond to the test during a decade of civil unrest in America.   

The indelible legacy left by this legendary quintet is set to the background of the group’s famous croons, including “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Get Ready,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” and so much more. 

Written by three-time Obie Award-winner Dominique Morisseau, directed by two-time Tony Award-winner Des McAnuff (“Jersey Boys”) and featuring the Tony-winning choreography of Sergio Trujillo (“Jersey Boys,” “On Your Feet!”), “Ain’t Too Proud” launches their first national tour to over 50 cities across America. 

Rolling Stone magazine named The Temptations among the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, and in September of 2020, the editors of Rolling Stone said that the group is “Indisputably the greatest black vocal group of the Modern Era…,” and listed the group’s “Anthology” album among the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time.”  

Jalen Harris who plays Eddie Kendricks in the musical, told the Michigan Chronicle that performing in one of the greatest boy bands of all time in R&B history is “like a dream come true.” 

Harris, who grew up in Memphis, Tenn., said that while he grew up outside of the group’s popular music era, he can appreciate their work, which has influenced a generation of R&B artists like Prince, D’Angelo, Maxwell, Robin Thicke and more. 

“I was born in the 90s but understanding the music of The Temptations and what it means to my culture and what their legacy means is, is very important to me as well,” he said, adding that he is looking forward to the upcoming show. “To perform a show in Detroit is a full circle [moment] for a lot of people with this project.” 

The Temptations are celebrating their 60th Anniversary through 2022. To mark this milestone, they released on January 28, 2022, a brand-new album, “Temptations 60,” with nearly all-original songs. Otis Williams, the sole surviving, original member of The Temptations, turned 80 last October 30. 

Detroit native Jawan Jackson just recently marked his place as a Temp, too, after playing one on Broadway. 

The newly-minted official member of the Temptations group will take the late Melvin Franklin’s spot after playing him rather successfully in two popular Broadway shows, according to an article from the Detroit Free Press. 

The singer will take over the bass duties in the popular singing group, and moves into a hallowed spot that Franklin held down for decades, according to the article. 

Jackson, a long-time Motown fan said that from 2017 to 2021, he played the late bass singer in the musical “Ain’t Too Proud,” according to the article. 

“I got a lot of love for being Melvin,” said Jackson in the article. “Now I get to be my actual self, bringing my own artistry to The Temptations. I’ll be carrying Melvin’s essence with me, of course, but I get to be Jawan.”