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The Broadway cast of Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations
The Broadway cast of Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations

Ain’t Too Proud – Headed for The Tonight Show

Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Time of the Temptations, the forthcoming musical biography about the titular band that enjoyed a parade of hits in the 60s and 70s, is headed for network television. Songs from the musical production will make their late-night television debut on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, scheduled to appear on Thursday, March 21. Adding to the excitement, the segment will tape moments before the musical’s official opening night performance.

The Tonight Show appearance will feature the Classic Five Temptations – Derrick Baskin, James Harkness, Jawan M. Jackson, Jeremy Pope, and Ephraim Sykes – as well as the complete 18-piece Ain’t Too Proud band, performing the numbers “Get Ready” and “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg.” The balance of the musical’s cast includes Saint Aubyn, Shawn Bowers, E. Clayton Cornelious, Taylor Symone Jackson, Jahi Kearse, Jarvis B. Manning Jr., Joshua Morgan, Rashidra Scott, Nasia Thomas, Christian Thompson, Candice Marie Woods, Esther Antoine, Marcus Paul James, Jelani Remy, and Curtis Wiley.

“Ain’t Too Proud is the electrifying new musical that follows The Temptations’ extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. With their signature dance moves and unmistakable harmonies, they rose to the top of the charts creating an amazing 42 Top Ten Hits with 14 reaching number one. The rest is history — how they met, the groundbreaking heights they hit and how personal and political conflicts threatened to tear the group apart as the United States fell into civil unrest. This thrilling story of brotherhood, family, loyalty and betrayal is set to the beat of the group’s treasured hits, including “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Get Ready,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” and so many more.”

Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Time of the Temptations will play Broadway’s Imperial Theatre. Two‑time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff (Big River, The Who’s Tommy) will direct the piece with choreography by Tony nominee Sergio Trujillo and a book by three-time Obie Award winner Dominique Morisseau.

Mark Robinson is the author of the two-volume encyclopedia The World of Musicals, The Disney Song Encyclopedia, and The Encyclopedia of Television Theme Songs. He maintains a theater and entertainment blog at markrobinsonwrites.com.

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