AIN'T TOO PROUD Previews — Page 2
Posted: 3/1/19 at 11:23pm
is it sondheim? no
is it thoroughly entertaining, fast moving and the songtrack of my life(and most others aged 50 plus)? yes
will it get any tony noms? yes i think so
best supporting actor-sykes
best choreography-
best costumes
best lighting
will it last more than a year
probably just over
i found it much more fun and interesting than motown
i had a great time
Posted: 3/1/19 at 11:26pm
After reading the stuff on here I went into it tonight with zero expectations and had a good time. It’s not an amazing show but it does what it sets out to do - tell the story of The Temptations to large groups of tourists without pretending to be anything other then it is. And as far as jukebox musicals go, I’ve seen FAR worse.
Posted: 3/2/19 at 1:42am
An electrifying prod. well-designed & ready to entertain & inform audiences for years to come! I went into this not knowing much about the group & left knowing a lot more. I must admit I sang along with "Just My Imagination" & feeling a bit frustrated with the awful title which I translate as "Ashamed: The Temptations MOTOWN Jukebox Musical" - but SO MUCH is working here! "If You Don't Know Me By Now" stands apart as the most fully realized song in the score. Sure wish MORE of the shows score could have worked dramatically in that way? I loved seeing the performances close-up but also was able to move my seat & see all the turntables & conveyor belt from above in the mezzanine. Best seats may be back elevated orchestra? I loved the touring bus scenes & the super strong performance from the actress playing Mrs. Williams.
Updated On: 3/9/19 at 01:42 AM
Posted: 3/2/19 at 2:16am
Sounds like not one thing has changed since the world premier I attended in Berkeley, CA. Altho the cast works their tails off (and are very good) and the songs are great to hear (however brief some of them are), the book is the killer for this very slick show (Jersey Boys production design cloned). Audiences may eat it up, but a long run may be very iffy. Additional touring/regional productions in the future should do very well at the box office.
Posted: 3/2/19 at 11:27am
I was there last night
This is definitely Jersey Boys meets Summer. That said, I enjoyed both of those shows and I had a fun night last night.
I agree that there are parts that are glossed over or that feel rushed but overall the book felt cohesive and pretty easy to follow. Just know that it primarily focuses on the early years of the group.
I met all 5 principals at the stage door as well as some of the ensemble. Everyone was incredibly sweet and grateful. They also all said to come back again.
A few logistical notes. This theater is small and very tight. I was in Row P Orchestra and my knees are still sore this morning. I am 5 ft 8. Every row up until Row P is on the same level. There is a step up starting with Row R. The woman next to me had to move because she couldn't see over the guy in front of us. Also, anytime someone had to get in or out of the row, we all had to exit to the aisle to allow them to pass. The couple next to me arrived at 8:45(!) and we all had to stand up, walk out, and let them enter the row while the show was happening.
Intermission needs to be buttoned up better. There were 3 warnings before they started Act 2. I want to say intermission ran close to 25-30 min last night. Show started at 8:07 and I walked out of the theater at 10:40.
I definitely agree about the lively crowds. The row behind me was singing along to every single song and talking at times as well. One lady was talking back at several parts of the show. Also, the crowd applauds almost every song and you could tell the cast wasn't ready for that. So hopefully, that will be something they work on before opening night.
Everyone around me and at the stage door loved the show. It was definitely a good time for me as well. I would go back again just to support this stellar cast. Not perfect by any means but still fun.
Posted: 3/2/19 at 11:33am
natashalost said: "Can someone who was there last night/tonight please post who the understudies are? Playbill doesn't seem to list them on their website yet."
Otis Williams: Marcus Paul James, Jelani Remy, Curtis Wiley
Paul Williams: Shawn Bowers, Curtis Wiley
Melvin Franklin: Shawn Bowers, Marcus Paul James
Eddie Kendricks: Jelani Remy, Curtis Wiley
David Ruffin: Saint Aubyn, Marcus Paul James, Jelani Remy
Posted: 3/2/19 at 1:34pm
Jordan Catalano said: "Last nights intermission was around 16 minutes long. Let’s not go crazy. "
There is no need for your going crazy comment.
The usher nearest my seat stated that 1st Act was 1 hour 5 min and 2nd Act was 55 min. Show started at 8:07pm and ended around 10:40pm. That’s longer than a 16 min intermission.
Posted: 3/2/19 at 5:35pm
RWPrincess said: "Jordan Catalano said: "Last nights intermission was around 16 minutes long. Let’s not go crazy. "
There is no need for your going crazy comment.
The usher nearest my seat stated that 1st Act was 1 hour 5 min and 2nd Act was 55 min. Show started at 8:07pm and ended around 10:40pm. That’s longer than a 16 min intermission."
The intermission clocked in at 16 minutes. The additional time for one or both acts lasted longer than what the usher shared.
High school Algebra taught me well.
Posted: 3/5/19 at 6:23pm
Posted: 3/6/19 at 4:07pm
Seats were Orch, Row D, far left. Partial view. Couldn't see the left of the stage or the back (is that upstage?) Great to see the performers up close though, we eyed 2 empty seats in center row F and moved there at intermission. We did not realize that we were missing the backstage lighting designs which really really added to the experience. I would think standing room would be great as well if looking for reasonable price.
Posted: 3/13/19 at 12:18am
Saw it tonight and while in the morning I’m sure I’ll be nitpicking, right now I’m on a high. It was really a blast. I was very worried after the sh*tshow that was Summer, but a standout cast, insanely exhausting choreography, excellent song arrangements and sound, and a slick production made the evening fly. Could we all have as cool as introduction as Ephraim Sykes?
Yes, I was annoyed by the side trip into “Motown: This Was Also Going On The Musical” and I go in expecting that any of these bio musicals is going to be an annoyingly quick trip down through all the career highlights, but telling it through Otis’ eyes gave the show the heart and humor that Summer desperately needed.
I’m sure the critics will be dismissive, but I expect it to have a decently healthy run, the crowd was hooked from the start and it’ll have good word of mouth.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
Posted: 3/13/19 at 11:34am
Go and enjoy
Posted: 3/13/19 at 12:01pm
I saw this Monday evening and had a good time!
Much of the audience, especially the woman next to me, responded to the musical numbers as though they were seeing the real Temptations, having near-spiritual experiences. I thought such a thing would be distracting but I actually found it amplified my own experience.
It's also interesting to have learned yesterday that for Pipeline at Lincoln Center, Dominique Morrisseau (who also wrote this) put an insert in that Playbill that basically said the audience is allowed to respond to the show. I didn't see the same insert in ATP's, but knowing that's her mentality on inviting the audience in to feel comfortable - that was nice. :)
Posted: 3/19/19 at 5:25pm
bwayphreak234 wrote in part: "I am baffled right now. How in god’s name can a show have had not one, not two, not three, but FOUR extensive out of town tryouts and still be THIS bad? Ain’t Too Proud has one thing going for it - its phenomenal leading men. Everything else about this show is a colossal miss............
The audience was eating this up from the minute the show started. I think it’s safe to say that at least 75% of the theatre was singing along at some points. Lots of audience responses to key moments and songs. I’m not sure if this was just a first preview thing or what, but boy was it an obnoxious audience. (my emphasis added)
This musical offerings this season have been pretty darn bleak so far this season. Sadly, Ain’t Too Proud is another one to add to this list as far as I’m concerned."
I emphasized the reference to the "obnoxious audience" b/c I experienced the same, mostly from one person. At the outset of the show, the woman next to me began to sing, dance in her seat, and mimic the hand moves that the cast would make with every song. I looked around and noticed no one else in the first 3 orch rows were doing that. I finally lost it and strongly told her to stop. "The cast is performing. That is who we paid to see perform; not you. This is not a concert. It is disturbing to those around you and likely the cast. If you won't stop, I will get the house manager."
Her mouth dropped open in disbelief. She turned to her husband and changed seats w/him. Then she proceeded to continue her self-absorbed nonsense. Hubby didn't move a muscle.
I never saw Summer, Motown, On Yr Feet, or Cher. I did see Jersey Boys in 2007, but the audience did not participate. I grew up with the Temps & Motown, so I understand how its nostalgia and sound make you want to sing and dance. But if this is what I can expect from the audience, I guess I won't go back. If I do, I'll get a box seat away from the visual and auditory distraction.
Posted: 3/19/19 at 5:41pm
I definitely had an obnoxious audience problem at this show, more than any of the other bio-musicals I've been to. The lady next to me was outright dancing in her seat and making all sorts of noises, and excitedly commenting out loud to her husband after every single song... apparently oblivious to the fact that there were other people in the theatre. And the people behind me were full on singing along like they were at a big arena concert.
As a 30-something lady I was trying to be understanding, since while I love the music of the Temptations it's not "my music" in the way that it's the music of the 60-70-year-olds who were being obnoxious around me... and obviously they were having the time of their lives, but I also hate that I paid money to see a show and I felt like they collectively really ruined the experience for me.
FWIW, when I was able to focus, I really enjoyed it. I mean, it's exactly what I expected - super-talented people performing the story and music of the Temptations. I wasn't expecting a Pulitzer-worthy, groundbreaking piece of theatre, and it wasn't; I got exactly the fluffy-but-entertaining musical I was expecting.
