The 2019 Broadway jukebox musical chronicling The Temptations’ rise and internal conflicts, following the “Jersey Boys” biographical format while showcasing Motown hits, earning 12 Tony nominations and proving appetite for R&B music theater.
My Girl on Broadway
“Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations” opened March 21, 2019, at the Imperial Theatre. The musical followed the “Jersey Boys” template: narration by founding member Otis Williams, catalog of hits performed in chronological order, backstage drama and personal conflicts.
The show featured Motown classics: “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” and dozens more. Choreography by Sergio Trujillo recreated The Temptations’ signature synchronized moves while adding Broadway spectacle.
The musical earned 12 Tony nominations including Best Musical, though it won only one (Best Choreography). Its commercial success (running until January 2022, 790 performances) proved R&B and soul music could drive Broadway economics as effectively as rock or pop.
“Ain’t Too Proud” arrived during the jukebox musical saturation point - competing with “Tina,” “Summer,” “The Cher Show,” and others. Critics questioned whether biographical music catalogs could sustain emotional narratives or just functioned as concert experiences with minimal plots.
The show’s strength was centering Black artistic achievement and Motown’s cultural impact during the Civil Rights era, connecting musical excellence to broader political struggle. This gave it depth beyond mere nostalgia.