broadwaysfguy said: "I Absolutely LOVED"Aint Too Proud" which had its second preview last night in Berkeley California and strongly recommend it to anyone in the bay area or coming to the bay area. most shows are nearly sold out already.
In a fewwords;"Heart & Soul" is what this show delivers-the heart demonstrated by the narrator and founder/leader of the the Temptations, Otis Williams (played to perfection by Derrick Baskin of OBC Memphis, 25th Annual Putnam, Little Mermaid), and the Hot and SweetSoul that the absolutely jaw dropping group of talented actors portraying the Temptations lays down, led by the electrifying performance of Ephraim Sykes(of NBCs Hairspray and obcs of Hamilton, Memphis, Motown) as David Ruffin andJeremy Pope as Eddie Kendricks.
Unless you are in yourmid 60s or older, you probably never experienced the thrilling energy of a mid sixties soul group: combining incredible vocals, gospel infused harmonies, stunning choreography and tons of raw dripping sweat and soul. The show opens with the five Temps delivering a smoldering version of one of their biggest hits, complete with all of the above elements and the berkeleyaudience just went crazy.
Then Derrick/Otis starts with the back story and rise of the the most successful crossoverR&B group in history, with Derrick/Otis seamlessly pivoting between fourth wall narrator and being himself in the story as it unfolds. Of course the story weaves through the Temps rise to the top and also interweaves the African African experience in the 60's including violence against the group as they were touring the deep souththe unrest in Detroit,and their experiencing the shocking murder of Dr King, and their desire to speak up in the late 60's through their songs, while often clashing with their mentor and record producer Berry Gordy, Unlike Motown,the musical, which was pure Jukebox, there is space here for character development between Otis the founder of the band, the other original temps, Gordy, and Otis's strained relationship with his son.
Most of the show thankfully focused on the great songs of the Temptations as performances vs shoehorning songs to "advance the plot' and oh the glorious Temptations songs and explosive performances by Sykes(Tony nom worthy performance) Baskin (Tony nom worthy performance) the amazing Jeremy Pope as Eddie Kendricks, Jared Joseph bringing that famous bass line of Melvin Franklin,and James Harkness as Paul Williams, the choreographer for the original Temptations.
Aint Too Proud to Beg, My Girl , Heard it through the Grapevine, Just my imagination, TheWay you do the things you do, I wish it would rain, Get Ready, Im gonna make you love me, Cloud Nine, Ball of Confusion, I Cant Get Next to you- All these iconic songs were performed, and most got full on sweaty soul, stunning vocals, and fantastically choreographed production numbers and kept the show moving and the audience dancing in their seats and spontaneously standing and dancing.Huge kudos to orchestrations magician Harold Wheeler and bad ass musical direction by Kenny Seymour. This band smoked and played everyone out of the theatre front and center after curtain call.
Staging including the seemingly now standard turntable and also a conveyor that pulled mic stands, small stage items and even people across the front of stage. The sets also used background projections that worked well and featured a full size convertible cadillac.
Other supporting cast members, including Jahi Kearse (Berry Gordy) Candice Marie Woods (Diana Ross) were all top notch. This was the second live performance so there were a few small fumbles on lines. The cast has strong broadway resumes and this show feels a lot to me like when I saw the second preview of Beautiful in that this show and cast and team are very close to broadway ready. One of the team memberstold me they are waiting for a theatre to open up and all plans are go for a spring 2018 opening.
Temptations founder and author of the biography which the book is based on (and also the great mini series that aired on TV) Otis Williams was in attendance, and is a beautiful soul with a strong quiet dignity and strength about him.Otistook photos with attendees during intermission and after the show until the last fan had their photo or autograph. Also attending was the Temps longtime manager Shelly Berger
The "messages" of the musical and of Otis's life are clear and straight-forward, and delivered in a way that was not preachy at all- He found a "higher calling"which was the music and entertaining others, The band members were his family of "brothers" and the band came first, above any individual band member /brother(several were asked to leave for drug abuse and bad behavior) The band also came first over family (sadly) or Otis's or other members individual ambitions (to write more original songs, to be the name star, etc.)
If I have any liner notes for producers, its that the second act is pretty sad (four of the original five temps are dead by their early fifties and met tragic ends) and would like to see a little more balance in the second act of the book between the tragedies and the good times. (the second act performances of songs acted as positivegreat mood changers and also as dramatic enhancers when songs did advance the plot like the placement of I wish it would rain)
While I think Otis's values and feelings were pretty wellrepresented, I would like to know even a bit more about Otis's drive and resilience to keep going (he's still touring with the Temps at age 75) and there have been 24 Temptation membersin the brotherhood.
I also thought the relationship with his son kind of popped in and out in an almost random way, and I think we went from seeing his son as a baby to being a man going off to work and it seemed out of synch with the timelinein years to me. This is a "jukebox biopic"musical, and if you try to compare it to an original musical like Dear Evan Hansen or Hamilton, its not really a fair comparison. My 'fair" comparables to this show are Jersey Boys, Beautiful, On Your Feet, Million Dollar Quartet andMotown.
Director Des McAnuff won the Tony and the Olivier for Jersey Boys, and the direction and pacing is crisp and transitions are pretty seamless. Des spoke before the show letting the audience knows this is a preview and things happen, and their was a brief stoppage for a set malfunction in the first act. Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys, Memphis, On Your Feet) delivers the goods again. Most choreography focuses on band performances, there is a wonderful large production number at the end, Lighting was fantastic by Howell Binkley (Hamilton tony winner) costumeswere colorful and groovy by Paul Tazewell (Hamilton, In the Heights) Sound was fantastic by Steve Canyon Kennedy ( Jersey Boys Hairspray the Producers) As you can see this project attracted the "A+ List" for the creative team and it really showed in the final product.
I sat in the front row mezzanine for the first act, and the front row side of the orchestra for the second act. Both vantage points worked for me-given the staging and choreography its ideal to be at least 5-6 rows back.
I predict a strong and very successful multi-year Broadway run for this show if its promoted properly and a very successful tour, and when they run it in London it will probably play for a decade.
Ain't Too Proud reachesfor and succeeds in attaining the artistic excellence and entertainment levels of Jersey Boys and Beautiful (with much greater levels ofSweat & Soul of course!)
And that's saying something....."
thanks for sharing your review... it sounds as if you really enjoyed it . Please post a song list.
broadwaysfguy said: "I Absolutely LOVED"Aint Too Proud" which had its second preview last night in Berkeley California and strongly recommend it to anyone in the bay area or coming to the bay area. most shows are nearly sold out already.
In a fewwords;"Heart & Soul" is what this show delivers-the heart demonstrated by the narrator and founder/leader of the the Temptations, Otis Williams (played to perfection by Derrick Baskin of OBC Memphis, 25th Annual Putnam, Little Mermaid), and the Hot and SweetSoul that the absolutely jaw dropping group of talented actors portraying the Temptations lays down, led by the electrifying performance of Ephraim Sykes(of NBCs Hairspray and obcs of Hamilton, Memphis, Motown) as David Ruffin andJeremy Pope as Eddie Kendricks.
Unless you are in yourmid 60s or older, you probably never experienced the thrilling energy of a mid sixties soul group: combining incredible vocals, gospel infused harmonies, stunning choreography and tons of raw dripping sweat and soul. The show opens with the five Temps delivering a smoldering version of one of their biggest hits, complete with all of the above elements and the berkeleyaudience just went crazy.
Then Derrick/Otis starts with the back story and rise of the the most successful crossoverR&B group in history, with Derrick/Otis seamlessly pivoting between fourth wall narrator and being himself in the story as it unfolds. Of course the story weaves through the Temps rise to the top and also interweaves the African African experience in the 60's including violence against the group as they were touring the deep souththe unrest in Detroit,and their experiencing the shocking murder of Dr King, and their desire to speak up in the late 60's through their songs, while often clashing with their mentor and record producer Berry Gordy, Unlike Motown,the musical, which was pure Jukebox, there is space here for character development between Otis the founder of the band, the other original temps, Gordy, and Otis's strained relationship with his son.
Most of the show thankfully focused on the great songs of the Temptations as performances vs shoehorning songs to "advance the plot' and oh the glorious Temptations songs and explosive performances by Sykes(Tony nom worthy performance) Baskin (Tony nom worthy performance) the amazing Jeremy Pope as Eddie Kendricks, Jared Joseph bringing that famous bass line of Melvin Franklin,and James Harkness as Paul Williams, the choreographer for the original Temptations.
Aint Too Proud to Beg, My Girl , Heard it through the Grapevine, Just my imagination, TheWay you do the things you do, I wish it would rain, Get Ready, Im gonna make you love me, Cloud Nine, Ball of Confusion, I Cant Get Next to you- All these iconic songs were performed, and most got full on sweaty soul, stunning vocals, and fantastically choreographed production numbers and kept the show moving and the audience dancing in their seats and spontaneously standing and dancing.Huge kudos to orchestrations magician Harold Wheeler and bad ass musical direction by Kenny Seymour. This band smoked and played everyone out of the theatre front and center after curtain call.
Staging including the seemingly now standard turntable and also a conveyor that pulled mic stands, small stage items and even people across the front of stage. The sets also used background projections that worked well and featured a full size convertible cadillac.
Other supporting cast members, including Jahi Kearse (Berry Gordy) Candice Marie Woods (Diana Ross) were all top notch. This was the second live performance so there were a few small fumbles on lines. The cast has strong broadway resumes and this show feels a lot to me like when I saw the second preview of Beautiful in that this show and cast and team are very close to broadway ready. One of the team memberstold me they are waiting for a theatre to open up and all plans are go for a spring 2018 opening.
Temptations founder and author of the biography which the book is based on (and also the great mini series that aired on TV) Otis Williams was in attendance, and is a beautiful soul with a strong quiet dignity and strength about him.Otistook photos with attendees during intermission and after the show until the last fan had their photo or autograph. Also attending was the Temps longtime manager Shelly Berger
The "messages" of the musical and of Otis's life are clear and straight-forward, and delivered in a way that was not preachy at all- He found a "higher calling"which was the music and entertaining others, The band members were his family of "brothers" and the band came first, above any individual band member /brother(several were asked to leave for drug abuse and bad behavior) The band also came first over family (sadly) or Otis's or other members individual ambitions (to write more original songs, to be the name star, etc.)
If I have any liner notes for producers, its that the second act is pretty sad (four of the original five temps are dead by their early fifties and met tragic ends) and would like to see a little more balance in the second act of the book between the tragedies and the good times. (the second act performances of songs acted as positivegreat mood changers and also as dramatic enhancers when songs did advance the plot like the placement of I wish it would rain)
While I think Otis's values and feelings were pretty wellrepresented, I would like to know even a bit more about Otis's drive and resilience to keep going (he's still touring with the Temps at age 75) and there have been 24 Temptation membersin the brotherhood.
I also thought the relationship with his son kind of popped in and out in an almost random way, and I think we went from seeing his son as a baby to being a man going off to work and it seemed out of synch with the timelinein years to me. This is a "jukebox biopic"musical, and if you try to compare it to an original musical like Dear Evan Hansen or Hamilton, its not really a fair comparison. My 'fair" comparables to this show are Jersey Boys, Beautiful, On Your Feet, Million Dollar Quartet andMotown.
Director Des McAnuff won the Tony and the Olivier for Jersey Boys, and the direction and pacing is crisp and transitions are pretty seamless. Des spoke before the show letting the audience knows this is a preview and things happen, and their was a brief stoppage for a set malfunction in the first act. Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys, Memphis, On Your Feet) delivers the goods again. Most choreography focuses on band performances, there is a wonderful large production number at the end, Lighting was fantastic by Howell Binkley (Hamilton tony winner) costumeswere colorful and groovy by Paul Tazewell (Hamilton, In the Heights) Sound was fantastic by Steve Canyon Kennedy ( Jersey Boys Hairspray the Producers) As you can see this project attracted the "A+ List" for the creative team and it really showed in the final product.
I sat in the front row mezzanine for the first act, and the front row side of the orchestra for the second act. Both vantage points worked for me-given the staging and choreography its ideal to be at least 5-6 rows back.
I predict a strong and very successful multi-year Broadway run for this show if its promoted properly and a very successful tour, and when they run it in London it will probably play for a decade.
Ain't Too Proud reachesfor and succeeds in attaining the artistic excellence and entertainment levels of Jersey Boys and Beautiful (with much greater levels ofSweat & Soul of course!)
And that's saying something....."
thanks for sharing your review... it sounds as if you really enjoyed it . Please post a song list.
Swing Joined: 7/12/16
Berkeley Rep has the program available online:
https://issuu.com/berkeleyrep/docs/program-ap?e=6311269/52651571
eponine2 said: "Berkeley Rep has the program available online:
https://issuu.com/berkeleyrep/docs/program-ap?e=6311269/52651571"
TY E2
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/10/11
Yawn...zero interest.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/14
San Jose Mercury News review is a rave-Karen D'Sousa is the best and most accurate sf bay area musical reviewer I've read over the past few years.
http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/09/15/review-new-temptations-musical-throbs-to-life-at-berkeley-rep/
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/04
1. If you really respect Karen, her last name is D'Souza, not D'Sousa.
2. It's a very good review of ''Ain't Too Proud,'' but not a ''rave.'' Did you miss all her criticisms and reservations? She applauds the cast and production, but knocks the book: ''Still some of the show business tropes feel tired ... If the book delved more forcefully ... the musical would cut deeper to the bone. As it is, the narrative bogs down in talky patches that disrupt the flow. Otis' narration sometimes repeats itself, and the first act runs on too long. Along the way, there are missed opportunities. ... Too much time spent on the Supremes only distracts from the heart of the story.''
3. If you believe D'Souza to be ''the best and most accurate sf bay area musical reviewer,'' you also might remember that she panned ''Roman Holiday'' (like all the other major sf bay area critics) as ''all too forgettable ... You don't care about these cookie-cutter characters. ... The songs feel jammed into the narrative for no apparent reason.'' And yet you loved ''Roman Holiday'' so much that you said you saw it (is it?) 6 times. Maybe you'll see ''Ain't Too Proud'' 6 times, too. If so, I bet you'll make Berkeley Rep very happy.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/14
Another rave review for Ain't too proud temptations musical
http://www.theaterdogs.net/2017/09/15/succumb-to-temptation-and-see-aint-too-proud-at-berkeley-rep/
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/14
Another rave review for Ain't too Proud Musical
http://www.onstageblog.com/reviews/2017/9/16/review-aint-too-proud-the-life-and-times-of-the-temptations-at-berkeley-rep
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/14
lily janiak, the sf chronicle/examiner/sf gate reviewer also gives a strongly positive review for "Aint Too Proud"
http://www.sfgate.com/performance/article/Not-just-your-imagination-Temptations-12203077.phpAin’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations:
For anyone that's counting, that four strongly positive/raves from the "professional critics" and zero negatives.
As for the regular theatre goers, goldstar give the show a 4.9/5 from 67 reviews with only one critical review
This show is real, its good....and its coming to broadway....
"Get ready, cause here I come!" Temptations 1966
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/14
keepin it real
a mixed review by talkin broadway
https://www.talkinbroadway.com/page/regional/sanfran/s1805.html
notes: I think almost everyone thinks the book could be stronger (what book couldn't be), but I dont agree with the specific comments here, and I think being able to see the incredible band perform is a FANTASTIC IDEA.....
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/26/16
broadwaysfguy said: "lily janiak, the sf chronicle/examiner/sf gate reviewer also gives a strongly positive review for "Aint Too Proud"
https://www.sfgate.com/performance/article/Not-just-your-imagination-Temptations-12203077.phpAin’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations:
For anyone that's counting, that four strongly positive/raves from the "professional critics" and zero negatives.
As for the regular theatre goers, goldstar give the show a 4.9/5 from 67 reviews with only one critical review
This show is real, its good....and its coming to broadway....
"Get ready, cause here I come!" Temptations 1966
Given that you have repeatedly and brutally trashed Lily Janiak and her previous reviews at every opportunity and IIRC even gone to the trouble of starting a specific thread calling her incompetent, an idiot, and aggressively campaigning for her firing, should a strongly positive review by her actually be counted as a negative? Just keepin' it real
"
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/14
hi Uncle Charlie-as i said earlier Karen at SJ merc is the critic i agree with most often in the bay area.
As for lilys review, even a clock is right twice a day, or maybe (hopefully) she is growing into her job (shes very young)
I did not start a thread about her as you stated (if it exists-please post it here), nor have i actively campaigned for her removal(i think I once said I felt like writing her editor...hardly a campaign)
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/26/16
broadwaysfguy said: "hi Uncle Charlie-as i said earlier Karen at SJ merc is the critic i agree with most often in the bay area.
As for lilys review, even a clock is right twice a day, or maybe (hopefully) she is growing into her job (shes very young)
I did not start a thread about her as you stated (if it exists-please post it here), nor have i actively campaigned for her removal(i think I once said I felt like writing her editor...hardly a campaign)"
When I have a moment, I'll look for it, but why would you even post the review of a critic you have described as "not knowing her ass from a hole in the ground when it comes to musicals" (Monsoon Wedding thread) or an "embarrassment" (Hamilton in SF thread). Why would you even want others to consider her opinion on a musical when you clearly have no use for it yourself? I hope you're not the type.of person who will quickly repost the review of a critic when they agree with you but question their very competence to hold their job when they don't.
Though, for what it's worth, I do agree with you about Karen D'Souza. I trust her opinion without question and think she would be a top critic in any major market.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/14
hi uncle charlie
i post all the reviews i can find when blogging on a show and dont cherry pick
for better or worse thr chronicle/examiner and the little man in the chair does carry clout in the sf bay area
i do try to focus my posts on positive things, sharing things ive seen ot heard or objective differences of point of view and avoid most of the food fights i see on this site.
if my comments on ms janiak were over a line and have seem to have caused you offense or injury i offer my apologies to you and her and any others who may have been offended.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/26/16
Alright, fair enough. To be honest, I often disagree with Lily as well but I also recognize that as a 30ish woman, her perspective, focus and way of looking at things is coming from a very different place than I am as older male. I certainly don't have the same level of trust in her opinion as I do with Karen, but I do believe she is a competent critic who is qualified to hold her job.
Updated On: 9/17/17 at 02:18 PMBroadway Legend Joined: 4/26/16
For those interested, the show extended its Berkeley run for two more weeks, into early November. We broke down and bought tickets, fourth row mezzanine (which are a little cheaper), on its 'final' Saturday night unless it extends again.
Yes, I know. Jukebox musical, not usually my first choice. But my wife really likes Jersey Boys (which I think was an effective show by the same director), I like The Temptations, and the cast and creatives have impressive credentials. The book writer is an African-American playwright from Detroit who seems to know the area and the era. And I have never seen an out-of-town tryout of an apparently Broadway-bound show. At worst, the songs and dancing ought to be fun. But we'll see for ourselves.
Tickets for Ain't Too Proud go fast. So anyone who wants to see it in Berkeley should act quickly.
I'm curious - does Berkeley rep offer discounted tickets anywhere? (Not seeing anything on Goldstar) I'm sort of interested, but not enough to pay full price.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/26/16
We weren't able to find anything that applies to us. There are discounts for theatergoers age 35 and below, which was fine for our daughter. Others would know better about discount tickets for individual shows there.
But the usual suspects, like TodayTix or Goldstar, don't apply to the Berkeley Rep. I might get a package deal later so I can get cheaper tickets for Angels in America, which is playing there next year.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/26/16
I've been looking but haven't found any in the usual places either. They seem to be selling out so there's really no reason for them to offer discounts other than thru their own programs. It feels like they've cut back discounting in general in recent years. They used to be on Goldstar all the time and I can't remember the last time one of their shows was on there at a discounted price. I bet it's been 3 or 4 years at least.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/14
i dont know any discounts either. it will still be cheaper to see it here than new york. I read two more local reviews and both were very positive.
will probably catch it a second time before it leaves
sorry bk and wayman, no six visits this time like roman holiday (appreciate the jabs, sort of)
Smokey Robinson and norman whitfield were great songwriters, but they were no COLE PORTER
Understudy Joined: 5/23/16
I saw it this weekend and could not take my eyes off Ephraim Sykes as David Ruffin. I might go back just to see his performance again.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/14
completely agree with you broadway momma,
Assuming this does go to broadway (the reviews are great), Ephraim has a very good chance at a best supporting actor nomination...he is dazzling and I wish the show also had a little more of his character development and backstory...im reading the temps book now by otis williams and just getting to where they brought on ruffin
Understudy Joined: 5/23/16
"Dazzling" is a great word to describe his performance. I was just blown away by him.
Love the Temptations but got to say I am kind of tired of these type of musicals.
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