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‘Temptations’ actor lists reasons to be proud of ‘Ain’t Too Proud’

‘Temptations’ actor lists reasons to be proud of ‘Ain’t Too Proud’

 


Former Temptations frontman Otis Williams isn’t as famous as some of the legendary Motown supergroup’s other stars, including David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks, but he’s the last living survivor. It’s his 1988 book, “Temptations,” that forms the basis for “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations,” the Broadway musical whose tour lands at the Orpheum Theater on Tuesday.

Actor Marcus Paul James, who played seven lead roles in the Broadway production of “Ain’t Too Proud,” plays Williams on the road. We caught up with him by phone last week when the tour was playing in Kansas City, and James explained why he admires Williams.

“We call him Uncle O because he contacts us about every two weeks,” James said. “And he’s full of wisdom and encouragement, like how to take care of yourself on tour. When he says we need to focus on work, that’s the most important thing, we listen. It’s 60 conversational experience.”

James also explained why the Temptations are special, then and now, and why audiences shouldn’t be quiet during the show. The interview has been edited for clarity.

Q: Have you met Mr. Williams?
A: Living legend, that’s what we call him. And, yes, he’s been part of the process from the beginning.

Q: I read that he was once engaged to Patti LaBelle and that was called off because he wanted her to stay home and be a housewife?
A: I do not know. I only know things that relate to the series. We ask him so many questions and it’s such an open book. I find it a bit shocking that a person with such a career and experience would sit down, listen to your questions, and answer them wholeheartedly.

Q: The nation was going through tremendous upheaval and yet the Temptations brought people together with such beautiful music.
A: I think Dominique Morisseau, the author of the book, said something that still resonates with me. Our mere presence as black people was an act of activism. The fact that these Motown artists, especially the Temptations, always sound good, always speaks volumes, made a statement. [Motown Records founder] Berry Gordy did a wonderful thing ensuring the product was top notch.

Q: When I saw the Broadway production, I found the music driving it all, without breathing. Tell me about the rhythm.
A: Look, we’d be here for days if we told the story of what happened word for word. When you think of the Motown experience, nobody worked alone. There was always another group of people like the Supremes and behind them, the Four Tops. There was so much going on that a single day would be a play in itself.

Q: And yet, it’s also a show about America.
A: The Temptations were so big and yet their bus was still getting shot in the South. Or they still had to walk to the back of the theater to play. The story centers on Otis and his question, was it worth it. We traverse this line to show the choices. It was the big things that changed the course of the band.

Q: The Southern Temptations experience is captured in the play and is quite scary?
A: We are in such a climate now where we have been most divided for a long time. So I feel that. To be fair, we haven’t played in Alabama or Texas yet. We played in Atlanta, but it doesn’t feel like the South. Again, the music is such a buffer of love and appreciation, I think it will resonate again. I even say a line in the piece that is poignant. Otis says, “You never know who hates you and who sings on your record.” We all love this music. And that’s what brings us all together.

Q: What’s so special about The Temptations?
A: Why not Temptations? Also, to be honest, you remember “Summer of Soul”. Well, what got me was the explanation of why it took 50 years to see the light of day. When they shot it, nobody was interested in black stories like that. It wasn’t as interesting as the moon landing or Woodstock. When I was doing the show and I was offered the opportunity to play Otis across the country, it became an honor to tell this story because it hasn’t been of interest to people for so long. To be able to tell these dark stories, even in the past, is fascinating. And they were superstars. They were the NSYNCs of the 60s, spawning all these mega bands in the 90s. They laid the foundation for what music would become.

Otis said he was blessed to have performed with the group. The Temptations always tour together because it’s not about individuals, but about groups.

Q: Generations of Americans owe their existence to this music?
A: Sure. My mother would stop everything she does when she heard Melvin [Franklin’s] voice. She was like, “Ooh, is that Melvin?” I’m like, “Mom. MOMMM!”

Q: This show opened before COVID. Have you noticed anything different in the way the show is received?
A: Before or after, people connect deeply to this music. It transcends meaning to some extent. This is not a theater etiquette show. You sit down, put the Playbill on your lap and remain silent. No. I’m talking to you. I speak to the public and their response is important. And I have the right to kick ass and dance. If you know part of the song, sing a little but not too loud. People react, oh. They say, “Sing, David!”

“Ain’t It Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations”
Who: Music and lyrics from The Temptations. Book by Dominique Morisseau. Directed by Des McAnuff.
Where: Orpheum Theater, 910 Hennepin Av. S., deputies.
When: 7.30pm Tue-Thu, 8pm Fri, 2pm & 8pm Sat, 1pm & 6.30pm Sun. Ends July 10.
Tickets: $40-$139. 1-800-982-2787 or hennepintheatretrust.org.

Sources

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2/ https://www.startribune.com/temptations-actor-lists-reasons-to-be-proud-of-aint-too-proud/600184890/

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