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

Opening Date: Feb 28, 2019
Closing Date: Jan 16, 2022
Running Time: 02:30
Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of The Temptations

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Playing @
Imperial Theatre
249 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036
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.

Five guys. One dream. And a sound that would make music history. 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.

COVID Safety Information:
Under the policy, guests age 12 and older will need to be Fully Vaccinated with an FDA or WHO authorized vaccine AND present a government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport. (Guests 12-18 may use a government-issued ID or school ID - no photo required.) “Fully vaccinated” means on the date of the performance a guest is at least 14 days after their second dose of a two dose COVID-19 vaccine OR at least 14 days after their single dose of an approved single dose COVID-19 vaccine.
Children ages 5-11 may enter the theatre only when (1) accompanied by an adult who complies with the theatre’s vaccination entry requirements, and (2) has proof of at least one dose of an FDA or WHO approved vaccine. 
For international guests TWO doses of any “mix and match” combination of an FDA or WHO approved COVID-19 vaccine are acceptable.
Guests under 5, when accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult may enter the theatre with ONE of the following:
A negative COVID-19 PCR test performed by a medical provider within 72 hours of the performance start time. The test results must clearly show the date and time of the test; OR
A negative COVID-19 rapid antigen test taken within 6 hours of the performance start time. The test results must clearly show the date and time of the test.
Theatregoers may find more information on mask and vaccine policies at Broadway.org. For more information, please visit your show’s official website or contact your point-of-purchase.
BroadwayMusical
Show Notes: 1 Intermission
Age Guidance: 13

Performance Schedule

TUESDAY & THURSDAY @ 7 PM
WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY & SATURDAY @ 8 PM
WEDNESDAY & SATURDAY @ 2 PM
SUNDAY @ 3 PM


Music
  • The Legendary Motown Catalog

Lyrics
  • The Legendary Motown Catalog

Book
  • Dominique Morisseau

Director
  • Des McAnuff

Choreographer
  • Sergio Trujillo

TDF Tickets Offers:

Listed at

Never

Full-price tickets:

$49.00 - $169.00

Lottery & Rush

Ain’t Too Proud’s $42 rush ticket policy will be sold in person at the Imperial Theatre box office on the day of the performance beginning when the box office opens (Monday - Saturday at 10:00 AM; Sunday at 12:00 PM). There will be a limit of two tickets per customer. Seat locations will be at the discretion of the box office and are based on availability. 

The digital lottery offers $42 tickets and is powered by Shubert Ticketing through the Telecharge Digital Lottery platform, which provides theatergoers wide access to affordable tickets through multiple social media networks. The lottery will open the day before the performance at 12:00 AM and close at 3:00 PM at lottery link: www.ainttooproudlottery.com.

Video

Reviews

  • Mercifully, the show mostly avoids the usual jukebox pitfall of jimmying in songs to reflect the plot in literal ways. Instead, the musical numbers generally register as a rippling, liquid mirror of societal and personal flux, especially in the ways they show the Temptations’ sound being calibrated to suit a mainstream (i.e., white) audience. As for the performance of those songs, orchestrated by Harold Wheeler with musical direction and arrangements by Kenny Seymour, they’re pretty close to perfection.
  • The Temptations are hard to resist. No matter how much you may chafe at the clunky machinery of Broadway’s latest jukebox biomusical, Ain’t Too Proud, the hits just keep coming, distracting your critical faculties with zaps of R&B greatness. And when the show is shining at full power—when its lavishly gifted stars are lined up for duty in natty matching suits, moving and singing in synch through songs like “My Girl,” “ I’m Gonna Make You Love Me,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” and “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg”— the gleam of well-polished nostalgia is strong.
  • The hardest workout in New York right now has got to be the one being demonstrated eight shows a week by the principal cast of Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations. The actors stepping in for the Motown group's changing lineup over the years barely pause long enough in the linking scenes between numbers to catch their breath and let the sweat dry before launching into another spirited vocal performance with vigorous dance grooves to match. Sure, there are craft issues with a show that's more narrated than dramatized; but as a fan experience, this high-energy tribute delivers big time.
  • Mercifully, the show mostly avoids the usual jukebox pitfall of jimmying in songs to reflect the plot in literal ways. Instead, the musical numbers generally register as a rippling, liquid mirror of societal and personal flux, especially in the ways they show the Temptations’ sound being calibrated to suit a mainstream (i.e., white) audience. As for the performance of those songs, orchestrated by Harold Wheeler with musical direction and arrangements by Kenny Seymour, they’re pretty close to perfection.

Accessibility

  • Box Office

    Main lobby. Counter 43". Assistance available.
  • Curb Ramps

    (2.5" lip) SW corner of 45th St. & Broadway; NW corner 45th St. & Broadway.
  • Restroom

    Unisex accessible restroom located in inner lobby: Door 33". Stall 96" x 66". Commode 17".
  • Elevator/Escalator

    none
  • Entrance

    Double doors in series: 1st set (each 27") has one pair of automatic doors from 45th St to foyer with push-button control; 2nd set (each 27") has one pair of automatic doors to ticket lobby with push button control: 3rd set (each 25.5", attended by ushers) to inner lobby; 4th set (each 53", attended by ushers) into theatre.
  • Visual Assistance

    Vision seats in the front of the orchestra for purchase online, in person, or on the phone.
  • Folding Armrests

    Six seats with folding armrests
  • Water Fountain

    Ticket lobby. Spout 36".
  • Assisted Listening System

    Reservations are not necessary. Drivers license or ID with printed address required as a deposit. Please call: (212) 582-7678 to reserve in advance.
  • Wheelchair Info

    Wheelchair seating available

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