By Gordon Durich
Motown, the record label which became a musical style, conjures up all kinds of feelings and moods. And in the musical “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations,” this group’s catchy melodies and universal messages The Temptations are captured. One of Motown’s biggest and most successful stable acts, The Temptations are the subject of the hit show “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations” currently on national tour.
Set in the turbulent and swinging 1960s, this riveting show peeks behind the curtain of the soul group – their onstage persona and personal challenges. Who doesn’t remember the stirring R and B tunes a-la-“Ball of Confusion,” the smooth “The Way You Do The Things You Do,” the upbeat “Get Ready,” “Papa Was A Rolling Stone” and the iconic melodic hit “My Girl.”
Lowes Moore plays founding Temptation performer Eddie Kendricks in the current touring production, which lands in Thousand Oaks, March 14-16. At the Kavli Theatre, Bank of America Performing Arts Center.
Lowes said he auditioned for this role in New York City last summer. “One of my friends also in a boyband helped me get a break-down of the show’s characters.” The Occidental University graduate started singing in church, unwittingly preparing to play one of the Temptations. When he nabbed the Kendricks role, he studied the videos and You Tube interviews. Lowes’ many previous theater credits include “Hairspray,” and influences include Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder. Also, “People compared my falsetto voice to Aaron Neville.”
The story of brotherhood told in “Ain’t Too Proud…” is in a wart-and-all fashion, addressing family issues, loyalty and even betrayal.
American Theatre Guild is very proud to present the show. With its sophisticated soul sounds, storytelling and Broadway production style, this show is sure to please all. Tony-winning choreography and Grammy award-winning music combine to wow! Get ready for some soul and fun, baby.
Other stops before Thousand Oaks include Santa Barbara and then San Diego.
Americantheatreguild.com/Thousandoaks