Ain’t Too Proud – About the Show
Highlights of Ain’t Too Proud – Must-See Moments
Legendary Soul Icons of the 60s: The Temptations
“Ain’t Too Proud” is the Broadway musical based on the true story of the legendary American soul group The Temptations, who rose to worldwide fame in the 1960s. The show not only traces their journey to becoming known as the “Emperors of Soul” but also brings their era-defining hits to life on stage.Among the many highlights are their signature songs including “My Girl,” which propelled them to stardom, and “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” the inspiration for the musical’s title. These classics have been featured in countless films and commercials, making them familiar even to those new to soul music. Following in the tradition of hit jukebox musicals like “Beautiful,” “Jersey Boys,” and “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical,” this production shines a spotlight on the life and music of one of America’s most influential groups.
More Than Music: Tony Award-Winning Choreography
The Temptations are remembered not only for their soulful sound but also for their unique style of synchronized dance moves known as “soul steps.”These iconic moves were reimagined by choreographer Sergio Trujillo, who has worked on acclaimed productions including “On Your Feet!,” “Memphis,” “Jersey Boys,” and “A Bronx Tale.” In 2019, his dynamic choreography for “Ain’t Too Proud” earned him the Tony Award for Best Choreography.
Trujillo’s choreography captures the irresistible groove and perfectly timed movements that made the Temptations’ performances unforgettable. A behind-the-scenes look at their rehearsal process has been shared online, and we recommend checking it out below on this page.
Discover the History of The Temptations
Years Active: 1961 to present – R&B, Soul, FunkWhat makes the Temptations remarkable is their ability to continue performing as a five-man group, even as members departed and new ones joined over the decades.
The original lineup included Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, and Elbridge Bryant. They debuted in 1961 with Motown Records, and their 1964 release “My Girl” topped the US charts, launching them into superstardom and earning them the title “Emperors of Soul.”
Despite numerous lineup changes between 1968 and 1983, the group continued to release hit after hit. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013.
The musical brings their story to the stage, following the original members, their triumphs, their struggles, and the dramatic changes that shaped the group’s legendary career.
Show details of Ain’t Too Proud
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Theater location： Imperial Theatre 249 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036 (Map) |
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Duration (How long the show)： Running time: 2 hours 30 minutes with an intermission |
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Age Limit： 4 years and older *Child pricing not available |
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Translation/Subtitles： None |
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Local staff review： Our team shares firsthand impressions of Ain’t Too Proud, including ratings, seating tips, and details on exclusive merchandise available at the theatre. |
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Type of the show: Fun Emotional・Touching Stunning Songs Stunning Dance |
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The seating chart： Imperial Theatre 
*Click to view larger image |
Show Time of Ain’t Too Proud
Regular weekly schedule for the Broadway musical Ain’t Too Proud. Click “Book Tickets” to view the full schedule with upcoming show dates and times.
Please scroll to the right to view| Performance | Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
| Matinee (Daytime) Soiree (Night) |
3PM |
Closed |
7PM |
2PM 7:30PM |
7PM |
8PM |
2PM 8PM |
Ain’t Too Proud – Story
The Plot / Summary of Ain’t Too Proud
Paul Williams, who had been singing and practicing in church since childhood, formed the vocal group “The Cavaliers” with Eddie Kendricks and friends he met at church. Over time, members came and went, and the group eventually changed its name to “The Primes,” performing mainly in Detroit and gradually gaining recognition.
As their reputation grew, they were approached by the record label Motown, and in 1961 they made their debut as “The Temptations.” The original lineup included Paul Williams, Otis Williams, Eddie Kendricks, Melvin Franklin, and Elbridge Bryant.
However, the group struggled to achieve major hits. In 1964, Elbridge left, and David Ruffin joined as his replacement. With Ruffin on board, their success began to rise. That same year, their single “My Girl” reached number one on the U.S. charts, cementing their place as one of America’s most iconic soul groups.
Although they went on to release a string of chart-topping songs and became a group admired by all, sudden challenges struck, including members leaving and even tragic loss through suicide. The question remained – could they overcome these hardships and continue to stand together on stage?
Ain’t Too Proud – Cast, Movie
Characters in Ain’t Too Proud
Characters in the Broadway musical Ain’t Too Proud. You can find today’s cast listed in the Playbill, available inside the theatre.
Otis WilliamsA founding member of The Temptations and the last surviving original member.
Melvin FranklinOne of the original members of The Temptations, known for his deep bass voice.
Eddie KendricksAn original member of The Temptations who, along with Paul, co-founded the group’s early version, The Cavaliers.
Paul WilliamsAn original member who co-founded The Cavaliers with Eddie. After leaving The Temptations, he tragically died in 1973.
David RuffinJoined The Temptations after Elbridge Bryant’s departure. His arrival marked the beginning of the group’s golden era.
JosephineOtis’s wife, offering a glimpse into his personal life beyond the stage.
The YouTube trailer of Ain’t Too Proud
This is a promotional video for the Broadway musical “Ain’t Too Proud.” Experience the Tony Award-winning choreography of “Ain’t Too Proud” and the music of The Temptations.
Here’s the rehearsal footage for Ain’t Too Proud. Pay close attention to the soul steps.
Ain’t Too Proud – Explore, FAQ
Behind the Scenes of Ain’t Too Proud
The powerhouse creative team behind Ain’t Too Proud
The choreography of *Ain’t Too Proud* was created by Sergio Trujillo, working alongside acclaimed director Des McAnuff. McAnuff won the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical with *Big River* (1985), and was nominated again for his work on *Jersey Boys* (2006), with additional nominations in earlier seasons. Trujillo and McAnuff previously collaborated on *Jersey Boys* and *Summer: The Donna Summer Musical*, making their reunion for this production a major draw.For casting, instead of relying on well-known dancers, the team launched an open audition in Detroit on November 18, 2016, under the banner of “The Detroit Project.” From this search, the performers of *Ain’t Too Proud* were chosen. The show held its pre-Broadway run from August 31 to November 5, 2017, at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre in California, where it was met with great acclaim before moving to Broadway.
Motown Records: Home to legends including Michael Jackson
The Temptations rose to fame under Motown Records, founded in 1959. Dedicated to bringing soul and Black music to the forefront, Motown became a driving force in breaking racial barriers in the music industry.The label’s signature style, known as the “Motown Sound,” dominated the charts. Between 1960 and 1969, Motown placed an astonishing 79 hits in the Billboard Top 100. Its roster included global icons such as Michael Jackson, The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, and even Bruno Mars, cementing its legacy as one of the most influential record companies in history.
Ain’t Too Proud – FAQ
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Ain’t Too Proud (Broadway show) Can I buy tickets for Ain’t Too Proud (Broadway show) on the day of the show?
Tickets are available for purchase until the day before the show through our booking page. See more details about Ain’t Too Proud tickets.
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Ain’t Too Proud (Broadway show) How much are tickets for Ain’t Too Proud (Broadway show)?
Tickets for the Broadway musical Ain’t Too Proud start at $69 with our discounted prices. See more details for Ain’t Too Proud tickets.
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Is the English in Ain’t Too Proud (Broadway show) hard to understand?
The musical Ain’t Too Proud has a slightly higher level of English difficulty. We recommend reading the synopsis before you go. For other recommended shows, please refer to the Broadway Musical Selection Guide. You’re sure to find a show you’ll love from among the many musicals in New York.
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Do you have a summary or synopsis of Ain’t Too Proud (Broadway show)?
The story and synopsis of the Broadway musical Ain’t Too Proud are introduced in the Ain’t Too Proud Story section. Reading this beforehand will help you easily understand the storyline.
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Who is in the cast of Ain’t Too Proud (Broadway show)?
You can check the cast of the Broadway musical Ain’t Too Proud in the Playbill distributed at the theater on the day of the show. The characters of Ain’t Too Proud are introduced in the Ain’t Too Proud Characters section.
Ain’t Too Proud – Review
Reviews & Ratings for Ain’t Too Proud
Seen Ain’t Too Proud on Broadway? Rate it with one click voting below! Your vote updates instantly.Audience Feedback & Testimonials for Ain’t Too Proud
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I went to see the play with my son. I've been to Broadway shows a few times, but it was my son's first time.
We were seated in the center of the first floor, and neither of us is particularly tall, so I was worried, but we had a good view of the stage.
We enjoyed the play. Above all, the cast's dancing and singing were outstanding; I thought they might even be better than the real thing.
My son was delighted by the cool production. I'm glad we went to see the play.
I was looking forward to seeing Sergio Trujillo's choreography. I had imagined the entire group dancing together, but each dancer's individuality really came through.
It wasn't disjointed, but rather the dance was truly captivating as Temptation. It was fun watching and thinking about whose dance I liked the best.
The song is so great that people tend to focus on the song, but I thought the dance was also very interesting.
The singing, dancing, storytelling, and acting were all perfect. I think anyone can enjoy the show, even if they're not familiar with the group The Temptations!!!
It was amazing! As expected from the director of Jersey Boys, the costumes, hairstyles, and atmosphere of the next generation were faithfully reproduced! The dance performances by the cast were also fantastic, and it felt like I was watching the real thing. If you want to see something a little different, but more like Broadway, I highly recommend this show.
I loved this production so much that I want to see it again. It's based on true events and has many sad scenes, but the story is well-connected and overall it's a warm musical.
Above all, the songs are great, so it felt like listening to a live musician's performance while following the story. The audience was really into it, and the atmosphere was great. The singing voice of the actor playing Eddie was particularly amazing.
I thoroughly enjoyed it even from the mezzanine seats!
I had never heard of the Temptations, but a local friend recommended them, so I went to see them. Their singing was amazing, and their dance moves were amazing.
The story unfolded like this: the artists met, became successful, and then... so I learned things like, "Member A left the band at this point," and "They had a hard time because it was a time when racial discrimination against black people still existed."
The story itself was easy to understand. It seems more suitable for a more mature generation than a younger generation.
My father isn't particularly interested in musicals, so I think he'd be able to watch it without any hesitation, so I'll invite him next time.
A must-see for fans of black music! The singing and dancing made me think, why are black people so cool?
It's just so groovy. And the range of their voices is just amazing! I vaguely understood the story, but the singing completely stole the show.
I love black R&B, but I was shocked to see him dancing with the microphone stand and singing in such a groovy voice, completely unfamiliar with the group sound. He was just so cool. I'm sure no one other than black people could create such an atmosphere. I'm so jealous... At the end, the audience was so into it that the whole theater was united.
I took a trip to New York during the Obon holidays. My daughter and I went to see Aladdin, so I went to see this movie by myself. It was full of R&B and dance hits from the 1960s and 1970s, and I found myself getting into the action.
The dancing was incredibly cool. The audience seemed to be mostly older, but the overwhelming majority were foreigners. Over 90% of the seats were filled, so it seemed like a popular performance. If you're a fan, you should definitely see it!!!
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