Temptations something to shout about in musical 'Ain't Too Proud' at Playhouse Square

"Ain't Too Proud — The Life and Times of the Temptations" is pure excitement at the State Theatre at Playhouse Square.

The jukebox musical, which follows the Temptations' journey from their early days in Detroit to the top of the charts, features a mindboggling 31 hits by the Motown group and others.

The show, running through July 31, is narrated by character Otis Williams, co-founder of the Temptations, who was played by understudy Michael Andreaus Thursday night. There's magic in the way book writer Dominique Morisseau weaves the story of the group's rise so well with their greatest hits, incorporating bits and pieces of songs as the story unfolds, leading to full-fledged performances of the group's beloved tunes.

The Temptations are the No. 1 group in R&B history. Everybody's been touched by their music, whether dancing to "Shout!" at a wedding reception or listening to the crooning classic "My Girl."

The tour's cast features super sharp-looking guys wearing the group's signature jackets — designed by Akron native Paul Tazewell — and executing the Temptations' ultra-smooth dance moves. It's easy to see why Sergio Trujillo's choreography won this show a 2019 Tony Award.

The classic five Temptations members whose stories are told, including their dark and despairing times, are Otis Williams, Paul Williams (James T. Lane), Melvin Franklin (Harrell Holmes Jr.), Eddie Kendricks (Jalen Harris) and David Ruffin (Elijah Ahmad Lewis).

Through it all, Otis Williams was the group's backbone who worked hard to keep both the group and their brotherhood going. On stage, it's heartwarming to see the closest relationship between Otis and bass Melvin, who were childhood friends in Detroit.

The darkness in this story deals with the pressures that the Temptations succumb to that came with fame and life on the road. They include struggles with drugs, alcohol and failed relationships.

The musical, for mature audiences, includes depictions of drug use and physical abuse as well as racial epithets and mature themes. Temptations members who died tragically include Paul Williams, who took his own life at 34, and David Ruffin, who died from a drug overdose at age 50.

The heartbreak in the show is illustrated as one of the costs of fame. For Otis Williams, those personal costs came with his failed marriage and distant relationship with his son.

Thursday night, swing Antwaun Holley, a Maple Heights native and Baldwin Wallace University graduate, went on as Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, creating a crisp, no-nonsense character who's all business when it comes to making the Temptations a household name.

More: Maple Heights native proud to cover iconic roles in ‘Ain’t Too Proud’ national tour

Recent Baldwin Wallace grad Shayla Brielle G. also shows her versatility by cracking us up as the strict Mama Rose, Melvin's mother, and portraying Motown singer Tammi Terrell as well as Florence Ballard of the Supremes.

More: Arts Picks: StageFest at Civic, Downtown@Dusk, Blossom Festival concerts, 'Ain't Too Proud'

The gorgeous Supremes look picture perfect in this show but their singing sounded unsatisfyingly understated Thursday.

"Ain't Too Proud" depicts the racial division of the 1960s, including riots in Detroit, the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., marked by the sad tune "I Wish It Would Rain," and the Temptations being shot at on their tour bus by white men in the South.

Robert Brill's set features cool graphic projections indicating tour cities, huge Temptations lettering scrolling sideways across the back of the stage and historic photos of concerts and more. Historic moments captured in "Ain't Too Proud" include the group's reunion tour, featuring seven Temptations.

It's also interesting to learn that the group didn't want to do the tune "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone," written by Barrett Strong and Norman J. Whitfield. It was their angriest song ever but still became a No. 1 hit.

Otis Williams, the last surviving member of the original Temptations, continues to sing with the group at age 80 today.

In "Ain't Too Proud," his character, speaking directly to the audience, celebrates that there have been 24 Temptations members since 1963. To paraphrase what he says in the show, four of the classic five Temptations may be gone but their music will live forever.

Arts and restaurant writer Kerry Clawson may be reached at 330-996-3527 or kclawson@thebeaconjournal.com.

Details

Musical: "Ain't Too Proud — The Life and Times of The Temptations"

Where: State Theatre, 1519 Euclid Ave., Playhouse Square, Cleveland

When: Continuing through July 31, 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays

Cost: $29-$129

Information: playhousesquare.org or 216-241-6000

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: 'Ain't Too Proud' brings to life excitement, troubles of Temptations