Ain’t Too Proud
WRITTEN BY DOMINIQUE MORRISSEAU AND DIRECTED BY DES MCANUFF, THE PRODUCTION FOLLOWS THE METEORIC RISE OF THE TEMPTATIONS, ONE OF MOTOWN'S MOST ICONIC CONTRIBUTORS.
(L – R) Jameson Clanton, Josiah Travis Kent Rogers, Lowes Moore, Rudy Foster, Bryce Valle from the National Touring Company of Ain’t Too Proud Credit: © 2024 Joan Marcus
Ain’t Too Proud- The Life and Times of the Temptations is set to premiere in New Haven at the Shubert Theatre on Thursday, June 12th at 7 pm.
Thanks to the theatre, before the tour hit the city, I got the opportunity to speak with the show's David Ruffin, played by Josiah Travis Kent Rogers, about the production and his time on Broadway.
“I also enjoy doing the David Ruffin Splits - I didn’t think I’d be able to do them but I just went for it and my legs did it so I’m just gonna keep praying during tour and keep working out so I can keep going - I’m like a vessel for David” *laughs*”
All Photo’s Courtesy of the National Touring Company of Ain’t Too Proud Credit: © 2024 Joan Marcus
Julia:
“You’re on a roll - Fresh off of your role as Seaweed in Hairspray - you’ve been cast as one of the 'Classic Five' singers in the Temptations- how did you come across this opportunity?”
Josiah:
“I was on Hairspray last year, and I saw online that they had openings for Ain’t Too Proud - this is my first time having an agent, so I had to submit a tape through them. It’s funny, though, the girl who played my little sister in Hairspray (Inez) is now playing Tammi Terrell in this show. Our voices blend well together, and we have amazing chemistry, so we submitted our tapes together. Her name is Kaila Symone Crowder - she’s amazing. It was like a six-month process, running back and forth between auditions and shows, and at one point, I’d even lost my voice, but I got the call back, and I started crying immediately. I saw the play in 2019 with Evan Psychs as David - I think I manifested this then - I’m beyond honored to be playing the iconic & incomparable David Ruffin.”
Julia:
“I remember being young, kicking my feet, listening to Kiss FM & The Quiet Storm in my grandmother's car. Motown as a genre has so much to offer - What are you hoping the audience gets from the show?”
Josiah:
“It’s wild now, back then we were so young - we heard it - but we didn’t HEAR it. We understand the lyrics now, just knowing how much they changed the course of history with their music - I hope the audience can appreciate their impact on music as a whole after the show.”
Julia:
“They had such a crazy impact on how music progressed after that - I can’t imagine playing a Temptation - let alone David himself is an easy task - how did you prepare for the role?”
Josiah:
“I think I’ve watched every single video of this man ever created. I really studied his mannerisms - it’s funny because what Sergio Trujillio has created is nothing like what these men were doing. They were moving, but we are MOVING.*laughs* They were standing there, step touching, and we are turning for our lives and splitting and jumping. *laughs* Beyond honored to be doing this Tony award-winning choreography - thankful for everyone who’s had a hand in putting this together.”
Julia:
“You’ve been on Broadway for a while now, this is the second National Tour of Ain’t Too Proud - what’s your favorite part about performing on Broadway as a whole?”
Josiah:
“The connection with the people. Bringing all of these people from different walks of life together for a common goal. Seeing the audience's smile and sing-along, there’s something about theater that transcends time and space. I’ve been all over the world and performing since I was young - I just know it’s my purpose, to be a vessel, to connect people and spread joy.”
Julia:
“I was looking at some of your other performances - it’s absolutely giving powerhouse - I think I speak for everyone when I say we’re excited to see the show. Before I get out of your hair, my final question is - what was your favorite song to perform?“
Josiah:
“It’s so funny because my favorite songs to perform are usually numbers that I’m not in or group numbers. Don’t get me wrong - ‘My Girl’ - is fun to perform- me me me *laughs* but it’s about the team. I love seeing my cast mates shine - playing David was kind of tough - because we’re so opposite - I’m happy I get to share this - I’m all about seeing everyone shine together.
- I would say my top 2 are ‘Get Ready’ because it’s the first time you get to see the Classic Five all together, and ‘Can’t Get Next to You’, it’s the second act Opener and our Dennis Edward’s - the actor's name is Jamal Stone - he snapped! He’s so good. It’s such an iconic moment.”
The show's 2nd National tour started in August and will arrive at the Shubert at 7 pm on the 12th of this month - I’m beyond thrilled to see the show and meet the cast!
You can purchase tickets for Ain’t Too Proud - here, grab your friends, get them out of the house and into the theater!
Will we witness the splits together?
