'Ain't Too Proud' Comes to the Ahmanson Theatre
“AIN’T TOO PROUD—THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS” COMES TO THE AHMANSON THEATRE IN LOS ANGELES
Hit Musical Features Legendary Songs Including “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination” and “Papa Was A Rolling Stone”
The Highest Grossing Show in Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s 50-Year History Runs at the Ahmanson Theatre from August 21 through September 30, 2018
Center Theatre Group Artistic Director Michael Ritchie announced that “Ain’t Too Proud—The Life and Times of The Temptations” will be presented as part of Center Theatre Group’s 2018-2019 season at the Ahmanson Theatre. Produced by Ira Pittelman and Tom Hulce, “Ain’t Too Proud” runs at the Ahmanson Theatre from August 21 through September 30, 2018 with the opening set for August 24.
“The Temptations’ music and moves are deeply woven into our consciousness but the band’s story is just as compelling,” said Ritchie. “I am happy that Ahmanson audiences will get to see this exciting new musical before it makes its way to Broadway.”
“Ain't Too Proud” is the highest-grossing production in the 50-year history of Berkeley Repertory Theatre where the musical received its world-premiere – an engagement that had to be extended multiple times due to overwhelming popular demand.
With a book by Kennedy Prize-winning playwright Dominique Morisseau, “Ain't Too Proud” features an iconic score made up of The Temptations’ legendary songs including “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination” and “Papa Was A Rolling Stone.” Directed by twotime Tony Award winner Des McAnuff and choreographed by Olivier Award winner Sergio Trujillo, “Ain’t Too Proud” is a 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. A tale of friendship and betrayal amid the civil unrest that tore America apart, their moving and personal story still resonates five decades later.
The creative team includes Robert Brill (scenic design), Paul Tazewell (costume design), Howell Binkley (lighting design), Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound design), Peter Nigrini (projection design), Edgar Godineaux (associate choreographer), Charles G. LaPointe (hair and wig design) and Steve Rankin (fight direction). Orchestrations are by Harold Wheeler with music direction and arrangements by Kenny Seymour. The cast of “Ain’t Too Proud” will be announced at a later date.
Center Theatre Group, one of the nation’s preeminent arts and cultural organizations, is Los Angeles’ leading nonprofit theatre company, which, under Artistic Director Michael Ritchie, programs seasons at the 736-seat Mark Taper Forum and 1600 to 2000-seat Ahmanson Theatre at The Music Center in Downtown Los Angeles, and the 317-seat Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. In addition to presenting and producing the broadest range of theatrical entertainment in the country, Center Theatre Group is one of the nation’s leading producers of ambitious new works through commissions and world premiere productions and a leader in interactive community engagement and education programs that reach across generations, demographics and circumstance to serve Los Angeles.
Bank of America is the season sponsor and Delta Air Lines is the official airline sponsor for Center Theatre Group’s 2018 – 2019 season at the Ahmanson Theatre.
Tickets for the 2018 – 2019 season, which includes “Dear Evan Hansen,” “Come From Away,” the Lincoln Center Theater production of “Falsettos” and “The Play That Goes Wrong,” are currently only available to renewing subscribers. The remaining productions in the season will be announced at a later date. Current subscribers can call (213) 972-4444 or login to their account at CenterTheatreGroup.org to renew. To be placed on a priority waiting list for group sales, please call (213) 972-7231 and a representative will be able to assist and answer any questions.
Tickets and subscriptions for the 2017 – 2018 season at the Ahmanson Theatre, which includes the “Soft Power” and “The Humans,” are available by phone at (213) 972-4400 and online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org/Ahmanson.
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Quotes from the world premiere of “Ain’t Too Proud” at Berkeley Repertory Theatre:
“Throbs with grit and groove. Now more than ever, the magnitude of what the band accomplished, crossing over into the mainstream, and what they sacrificed to get there resonates. There’s nothing like the irresistible beat of The Temptations.”
- San Jose Mercury News
“Not Just Your Imagination: Temptations Musical Rocks! Richly textured, perfectly blended harmonies back lead vocals that somehow combine swaggering showmanship, meticulously honed technique, and emotion of almost unbearable intensity.”
-San Francisco Chronicle
January 24, 2018