At the Ahmanson Theatre in downtown Los Angeles, the Life and Times of The Temptations is celebrated in a fabulous musical that should not be missed.
By John Lavitt
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 12/20/22 –
Let’s begin with the full title because a musical this good demands recognition and a salutation — “ain’t too proud: The Life And Times Of The Temptations” is fantastic! The Center Theatre Group’s production at the Ahmanson Theatre, which runs until January 1, 2023, is a delight. With music and lyrics from the legendary Motown catalog and a book by Dominique Morisseau, the musical delivers a history that is both celebratory and tragic. Indeed, the story of the Temptations reflects the American Dream with all that magic and heartbreak, co-existing side-by-side.
Since the play is based on the book The Temptations by Otis Williams with Patricia Romanowski, it is not surprising that Otis Williams is the narrator of the story. As the only surviving member of the original quintet, Otis Williams has lost four of his brothers over the years yet continues trudging forward to keep the dream alive. Eighty-one years old, he still tours and performs with the band. To this day, including Otis Williams, twenty-five men have taken the stage as one of The Temptations.
Expertly directed by Des McAnuff and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo, the musical’s most outstanding achievement is that it not only tells the story of the group but also manages to differentiate the characters of the find founding members, Marcus Paul James as Otis Williams, James T. Lane as Paul Williams, Jalen Harris as Eddie Kendricks, Harrell Holmes, Jr. as Melvin Franklin, and Elijah Ahmad Harris all stand out as fleshed-out individuals. As a direct result, the roller coaster ride of the band’s success is reflected in the music and the character development.
As supporting characters, Berry Gordy (Michael Andreaus) and Smokey Robinson (Omar Madden) stand out as grounding forces that level off the performer’s early idealism while honing their craft and talents. Finally, as the band’s manager Shelly Berger, Reed Campbell is a cross between a Jewish papa bear and a frustrated party planner. He wants to ensure everyone is okay, but the show must always go on.
As the shows go on year after year, the demons of success rip the band apart. From drugs and women to entitlement and grandiosity, the five original members cannot remain the brothers they become in the beginning. Ultimately, the physical and mental tolls are too high to pay. Moreover, the spiritual toll of constantly touring wreaks havoc on their home lives and their families.
Nowhere is this pain more evident than Otis Williams’ inability to have a real relationship with his first wife, Josephine (Najah Hetsberger), and their son, Lamont (Gregory Carl Banks, Jr.). Indeed, connection is sacrificed for success, and the price is high, as expressed in Najah Hetsberger’s powerful voice and expression of emotion. While Otis Williams realizes his dreams, he cannot let them go long enough to express his love in a personal and present manner.
Beyond a great story, the musical wonders of the show are incredible. The music supervision and arrangements by Kenny Seymour of an awesome live band conducted by Jonathan Smith back up the singers perfectly. And the singers are simply amazing. If you love Motown, you will love this musical. It presents the best of the Temptations catalog and several other unforgettable hits from the legends, including Diana Ross and the Supremes. You may be out of breath at the show’s end, but the smile across your face will be a mile wide.
At the end of the opening night performance, our smiles were even wider than we imagined because of the surprise guests that came on stage. Otis Williams (81), looking as young as you can look when you are in your eighties, and a bit creakier Shelly Berger (84) came on stage and spoke with the audience for ten minutes. It was a profoundly moving experience. The final advice of Otis Williams for aging performers: “If you want to keep touring, you must rest after the show and before the show and on your days off. Rest is the key to keeping going at this age.”
Pictures by Emilio Madrid and John Lavitt
