Ain’t Too Proud_The Life and Times of the Temptations is nominated for 12 Tony Awards including Best Musical and playing at the Imperial Theater. The hit Broadway show is so popular that Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, Bette Midler, Tasha Smith and Bevy Smith are a few of the celebrities who have been spotted in the audience and backstage at one of the sold out shows. Ain’t Too Proud is directed by Des McAnuff featuring a book by Dominique Morisseau with choreography by Sergio Trujillo. The story of the Temptations is based on the book ,The Temptations by Otis Williams with music and lyrics from the Motown catalog.
Samuel L. Jackson, Regina King, Billy Porter, Tina Fey, Audra McDonald and Sutton Foster are some of the presenters for the 73rd annual Tony Awards hosted by James Corden. Jeremy Pope who portrays Eddie Kenricks in the Temptations has made history as only the sixth person nominated twice in the same season. Kendricks sang lead vocals on the hit singles “Just My Imagination” and “The Way You Do The Things You Do”. Ephraim Sykes (David Ruffin), Derrick Baskin (Otis Williams) and Jeremy Pope are all nominated in the Best Featured Actor/Musical category.
BlackFilm had conversations with legendary Motown singer/songwriter Smokey Robinson, Ephraim Sykes (David Ruffin), Jarvis B. Manning, Jr. (Al Bryant/Norman Whitfield), Taylor Symone Jackson (Johnnie Mae/Mary Wilson) and Saint Aubyn (Dennis Edwards). Each performer shares their insights on being a part of the musical and what goes on behind the scenes in making a Broadway show.
We just saw your performance in Ain’t Too Proud. I’m speechless, because it was electrifying. Can you talk about how you prepared for the role? And what it took for you to bring that level of energy on the stage?
Ephraim Sykes: Honestly, alot of it is studying and researching David Ruffin. I’ve grown up with this music. I’ve grown up with these stories. They have been in our families for decades. So it means a lot to hear these tales from people like Otis Williams himself and Shelly Burger himself. Also in the black community there is a lot of folklore that goes into who these men really were on and off the stage. Reading Otis’ book. And just really kind of digging into who I felt this man was at the heart versus what we got to see of him on stages and on tv. I try to understand his pain. And tie it into my own. So I can bring my own life into this part.
You had a very impressive vocal range. Did you take any additional vocal training to prepare for the role?
Ephraim Sykes: Yes. I’m in voice lessons every other day. Just training to do this kind of harsh singing as safely as possible. So I can do it eight times a week. Sort of putting the right things in my body, which adds a lot to what ends up coming out vocally. A lot of water. Hydrate, hydrate. Good hefty foods. You know what I mean. All of that stuff plays a part. But definitely a lot of training since I’ve started this project.
What was it like for you to portray someone that is part of such an iconic group? It’s showing in the performance about the personal demons he had to deal with as well. What was it like for you to portray that type of role?
Ephraim Sykes: That is the most gratifying part of this. Because again. We all know their triumphs. We know their success and all of the fame. But a lot of us don’t pay attention to not just this group, but all of our favorite people. Our famous superstars and legends. We don’t pay attention to their real lives. To get to talk about some of their demons and the real things that they fought. I think that makes them who they really were. It also makes the sound that happens. It’s the most honorable part of this what I call a mission almost.
Jarvis Manning Jr: I play Al Bryant and also play Norman Whitfield.
What was it like for you to play these two roles? What was the preparation like?
Jarvis B. Manning, Jr.: It’s an honor to play these two men. They both have a behind the scenes story. Al was the original lead singer of The Temptations. He was out of the shadow once David Ruffin was put in the spotlight. He was one of those giving people. To play his role he doesn’t have a lot of information out there about him. There’s a paragraph or two about him. It’s good to give light to his life every night on the stage. At least to have people say, who is this guy Al Bryant to go then and do their research. With Norman Whitfield a lot of people do not know who was the powerhouse behind all these songs that The Temptations have. First Smokey Robinson and then he stepped in and took over.
The story is, I don’t know how accurate the story is . I hope Smokey Robinson doesn’t get mad. They said Norman Whitfield went to Smokey Robinson to ask him what he could do to be a writer for The Temptations. Or to be a writer in general for Motown. Smokey Robinson gave him some false information. So he then was like my goal now is to take your job. So he stepped in and he became the writer for The Temptations. I like to have the little payback moment for Al to take over for Norman. To have the power again in a sense. It’s fun to play those two roles. To have those two challenges to play every night on stage.
That character was a real hitmaker. There are a lot of songs that he wrote like War and others. They are iconic songs that were passed on that became hits for other groups. What was it like to shine light on that in the show?
Jarvis B. Manning, Jr.: It’s so much fun. When I got the role of Norman Whitfield. I went through a lot of his music that he produced. He produced all the music for the movie Carwash. Everybody knows that song. If you don’t know that song you know the clap…clap, clap, da, clap, clap, clap. To actually go through and say. This man really did write a bunch of hits that we know about that we might not actually pay homage to all the time. We play them all the time but we don’t know who wrote them. It’s cool to dig up all these hits that this man has written. That are played today at parties, at family reunions. That is a joy in itself.
What is shown in the show is not just the music but the stories behind the music. And the evolution of the group. From just making ballads to making songs that are part of the Civil Rights movement. Can you talk about that journey that you take in the show? Those stories behind the music and how they reflect society are relevant to today.
Jarvis B. Manning, Jr. : It’s amazing to listen to the music from the late 60’s or even the 50’s that black performers had to sing. It was more of a lighter version of what we could do. But that we just because that was what was accepted. That is what America wanted to hear. That was the way to crossover to get more ears to listen. But it is amazing in this show because you get to see the non-caring anymore. I’m not going to prescribe to what you want me to do. Now I’m going to give you what I am going to give you. So it is fun to listen to that throughout the show. We start off singing very lightly, very smooth. And then it picks up and becomes a psychedelic funk. It ties in to history because people weren’t comfortable but we fought differently around the 50’s and 60’s. And then in the 70’s it became more of an in your face fight. It became more of you’re taking Dr. King from us? Okay, so now we are out here. Because all we want to do is get an equal piece of the pie. Now we are going to give you what we are feeling. This is how we feel. It became important. You hear Otis talking in the show. He says other groups are taking a stride towards being political. Why can’t The Temptations? Berry Gordy turned it down of course.
Then he brought it back and was like okay we need to speak. Of course at that time too that was what was making money to make protest music. It’s cool to watch the Black men and women maneuver through society in a way with their music and their art. That they knew that people would hear. Because if you went outside and said that as a Black man or Black woman. No one would really hear you, but your normal audience. But to do it with your music was a way to reach many a different ears. It think this is what that shows. This show it reaches people who are coming to hear The Temptations. But then they get a message about this society. It puts up a mirror to this society. And the racism we have going on today. And the ignorant statements we have being made today. And people still not necessarily caring about the singer or the rapper, but caring about all the music. At the same time we are people, we sing we have a good time. But we also want you to feel our pain. Because we feel your pain. I think it is a great story to have out now. To have all these Black men and women on stage together tells such a powerful story. The love is spread throughout the theater. The crew members, the house managers, the ushers everybody. It’s amazing to be a part of the love with everybody. Black, White, Asian everybody who had been in this theater has been happy to be here.
I recently saw the Ain’t Too Proud musical on the Temptations. Your character is featured in the show. Did you get a chance to see it? Did you consult with them on the musical?
Smokey Robinson: Oh yeah. I’ve seen it. I’ve seen it a few times.
What were your thoughts about it?
Smokey Robinson: It was really good. I’m very happy for Otis. Otis is a rock as far as I’m concerned. He’s had that group The Temptations has been through thirty guys. He’s still standing and they are still doing wonderful stuff. So I’m proud of him. He is my brother.
Do you think there will be a musical on your life someday?
We have talked about it. Right now there is nothing happening. We’ve talked about it.
Taylor Symone Jackson: I play the roles of Johnnie Mae Matthews and Mary Wilson. Preparing for Mary was a bit easier than Johnnie just because Mary was out in the limelight. You could mimic her dance moves a bit. And maybe see some interviews of how she spoke and her mannerisms. Johnnie Mae was pretty hard to go off of which is literally what Dominique had to say or Otis had to say about her. She was a shark. Like he says. To be honest I embodied more of a man than a woman for the character. Just because it’s more of a con artist role slash boss woman. Des McAnuff and Dominique Morisseau let me play a little bit more with the role.
What is it like for you to portray someone who is so well known as such an iconic group as The Supremes?
Taylor Symone Jackson : It’s so much pressure. But I think the audience and the cast allows me to just be in it, whatever I bring to the character. Obviously, there are modifications but I have freedom with it. It feels so powerful to be a Black woman, twenty-six years old portraying someone that was so iconic to the American history of music. I did feel a lot of anxiety and nerves for portraying such a huge artist. But after the technique has washed away. And after the foundation is there , you get the approval from the director and the writer. You start to feel comfortable and own it. A powerful force. It’s incredible.
In the show it’s shown that Mary had a relationship with one of The Temptations. How do you feel to be part of that revelation? To have that relationship shown on the stage?
Taylor Symone Jackson : When we first did the workshop. I had no idea there was even a relationship with any of The Temptations. When it was brought to my attention obviously I felt pressure to deliver. Because I didn’t know if she enjoyed him hitting on her. They worked together plenty of times so. It’s a cute sweet moment. It shows that both powerful music groups had to spend time with one another. Sometimes relationships form. Sometimes they dwindle away. Melvin is also a pleasure to work with. He makes me feel so comfortable. When he puts that baritone on you can’t stand still. You’ve gotta freak out a little bit. In the first rehearsal he said my name Mary Wilson very deep. I think my body shivered. Haha. (laughing) There were just natural reactions. Just having fun, flirting.
When you are on the stage, not only are you singing but you are dancing. Did you have a lot of rehearsals to get the steps together?
Taylor Symone Jackson : I’m a dancer first. I went to school for dance then acting and singing were secondary. So when it came to the dancing I was totally fine. It was second nature. They didn’t put the song in my possession until two weeks before we opened. So there was a lot of pressure of learning how to breathe while dancing. Especially for Johnnie Mae. I’m collecting jackets, dollar bills, purses and gloves. I’m opening car doors and slamming car doors. So there is a lot to go with it. It’s choreographed, which Sergio Trujillo definitely helped me out with. So it became easier as I rehearsed it. Thank the Lord we had almost two years of tour. So I was able to see what worked and what did not. It was great.
Can you talk about your role and how you prepared to be part of this production?
Saint Aubyn: The role I play is the electrifying Dennis Edwards. How did I really prepare? This is a life journey. I’ve always listened and watched the Temptations as well as OJays and The Commodores. Patti LaBelle and Marvin Gaye and them. So this was something that was ordained for me before I even knew it. Of course I did my research. Of course I did my extra, extra but it is in me because of the type of upbringing that I already have. I did my extra stuff to make sure I got what I needed. But this is something that I knew.
Did you speak to the sole surviving member of the Temptations to get input on the role?
Saint Aubyn: Uncle O? I talk to him all the time. Yeah, he’ll tell you straight up and down. One and two. This is what it is. This is how it was. This is what happened. And how are you doin’? Oh yeah. Oh yeah. All the time. Love that man.
It’s a very electrifying performance. How long did you rehearse and prepare?
Saint Aubyn: This is now two years coming. We have been doing this for a minute. To bring it here. To bring it back home. To bring it back to our comfort place. It’s awesome.
What other productions or projects do you have in the works?
Saint Aubyn: In the works? I can’t really say it yet. I got a little something coming. I’ll make sure all my instagram and all those media sites will have it.
What do you want the audience to take away from the show? When I saw the show, what was wonderful is you are taken on a journey. Not just learning about the music of the Temptations. You are going beyond the music and showing their lives as three-dimensional.
Saint Aubyn: What I want everyone to take away from this. Is to know that no matter what. Through the trials and tribulations. The happy and the bad. We will always rise. Always. Always come back to the top. We all as a people have a journey. We don’t know what our journey is, but whatever road takes us on no matter what we will always come back to the top. We start off the way we start off and we end off the way we end off. That is at the top.
The 73rd Annual Tony Awards hosted by James Corden will air June 9th on CBS.
Loading…