Oklahoman Michael Andreaus shines as the lead in The Temptations musical 'Ain't Too Proud'

Oklahomans should be proud to add another homegrown star to the gleaming roster of Sooner State entertainment luminaries.

Michael Andreaus, a Moore High School and University of Central Oklahoma graduate, proves his star power in the lead role of the national tour of "Ain't Too Proud — The Life and Times of The Temptations."

As the title indicates, the Broadway hit is a jukebox musical as snappy, slick and smooth as the classic hits that snagged the groundbreaking vocal group the top spot on Billboard's ranking of all-time R&B and hip-hop artists.

The crowd-pleasing song-and-dance biopic is making its Oklahoma City debut with performances through Aug. 20 at Civic Center Music Hall. The Tony Award-winning musical is the tempting opening title of the 2023-2024 season for OKC Broadway, the local presenter of Broadway shows.

Here's what you need to know about "Ain't Too Proud":

'Ain't Too Proud' covers The Temptations' iconic hits and dramatic six-decade history

Written by in-demand playwright, MacArthur "Genius Grant" Fellowship recipient and Detroit native Dominique Morisseau ("Skeleton Crew") "Ain't Too Proud" traces the quintessential R&B vocal group’s journey from the Motor City to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  

Keep in mind that The Temptations' rags-to-riches journey spans more than 60 years, 24 different members and three Grammy Awards, plus a Lifetime Achievement Grammy. It's got more drama than half of a season of "Behind the Music," with ego trips, in-fighting, alcoholism, drug addiction, domestic abuse and debilitating illnesses set against a backdrop of racial violence, the Civil Rights movement and the Vietnam War.

So, it's a testament to the skills of Morisseau and two-time Tony-winning director Des McAnuff ("Big River," "The Who's Tommy," "Jersey Boys") that "Ain't Too Proud" manages to cover so much Temptations' territory in fast-paced fashion.

The pleasing pacing of the show echoes the crisp and catchy rhythms of the influential Motown Records act's iconic hits like “My Girl," “Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)," “Get Ready," “Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" and “Ain't Too Proud to Beg," which are all superbly showcased.

The jukebox musical features other familiar hits from the 1950s, '60s and '70s like the Five Satins' "In the Still of the Night," the Isley Brothers' "Shout" and the Supremes' "Baby Love," "Come See About Me" and "You Can't Hurry Love." As The Temptations' chief rivals on the legendary Motown label, the hitmaking trio of Diana Ross (Amber Mariah Talley), Florence Ballard (Shayla Brielle G.) and Mary Wilson (Brittny Smith) makes a couple of sparkling appearances in the show.

Dazzling cast brings The Temptations' songs and struggles to life

"Ain't Too Proud" boasts a top-notch creative team. Tony-winning costume designer Paul Tazewell ("Hamilton") cannily replicates The Temptations' signature snazzy suits. The sets from Tony-nominated scenic designer Robert Brill ("Guys and Dolls") might not be as elaborate as the builds for many Broadway touring shows, but they are sleekly designed to track the passing of the decades and keep the story moving efficiently, even cheekily deploying a conveyor belt to illustrate the group's history of rotating members.

And choreographer Sergio Trujillo's Tony win for recreating the vocal group's familiar fancy footwork proves well-deserved.

But it's the dazzling touring cast of "Ain't Too Proud" that ultimately brings to life The Temptations' songs as well as their struggles. Elijah Ahmad Lewis wows as powerhouse lead singer David Ruffin, who is able to pull off sensational splits and spins on stage but unable to reign in his demons or ego behind the scenes. Dwayne P. Mitchell is almost as captivating as Ruffin's cocky replacement, Dennis Edwards.

Golden-voiced "American Idol" Season 10 standout Jalen Harris is equally dynamic as cantankerous crooner Eddie "Corn" Kendricks. E. Clayton Cornelious brings an easy charm and intricate dance moves as the group's troubled baritone, Paul Williams. As original and longtime bass singer Melvin "Blue" Franklin, Harrell Holmes Jr. shows off a wonderful rumbling voice and crack comedic timing.

Several cast members play challenging double or even triple duty: Along with portraying one-third of the Supremes Shayla Brielle G. makes the most of two other small but attention-grabbing roles: Melvin's formidable Mama Rose and Ruffin's abused wife and fellow Motown singer Tammi Terrell. Omar Madden supplies smooth comic relief as both The Temptations' original songwriter Smokey Robinson and young replacement singer Damon Harris, while Devin Price also doubles up as volatile original lead singer Al Bryant and psychedelic-leaning replacement songsmith Norman Whitfield.

Also key in smaller roles are Jeremy Kelsey as Berry Gordy, the charismatic founder of Motown Records; Ryan M. Hunt as Shelly Berger, who becomes the group's loyal longtime manager; and Quiana Onrae’l Holmes as Josephine, the estranged wife of Temptations' founding member and leader Otis Williams (Andreaus).

Oklahoman Michael Andreaus shines as the lead of 'Ain't Too Proud'

"Ain't Too Proud" is based on Williams' memoir "The Temptations," and since he is the last surviving original member, it's no surprise that he's the show's lead character and narrator.

That means Andreaus, who is on his first national tour, hardly leaves the stage during the entire two-hour and 35-minute show, which includes a 15-minute intermission. He occasionally steps into the wings to slip on a different jacket, but he actually does most of his costume changes right on stage.

Like Williams, who is considered the backbone of The Temptations and is credited with keeping the group going backstage without ever really stepping into the spotlight onstage, Andreaus has the unenviable task of carrying the show while his co-stars get the lion's share of the show-stopping moments.

It's a testament to his presence and skills as a performer that he is able to quietly command the audience's attention even when surrounded by entertainers with flashier roles. An Atlanta native who moved to Oklahoma as a teenager, Andreaus sings beautifully, dances capably and guides the audience steadily through the six-decade story. It's not hard to see why the production has held on to Andreaus, who has been with the "Ain't Too Proud" national tour since it launched in December 2021.

Although the show swiftly skims through The Temptations' history and sticks close to the familiar "pitfalls of fame" biopic beats, "Ain't Too Proud" is an ardent homage to the group's enduring sound and style.

As the backdrop rose to reveal the stellar band and the cast took the stage in matching white suites for the big finale at the Aug. 15 performance, the OKC opening-night audience wasn't too proud to get to its feet well before the final bows to dance, clap and sing along.

For fans of the classic Motown sound, "Ain't Too Proud" is probably as close to "Cloud Nine" as you can get these days.

'AIN'T TOO PROUD'

• When: Through Aug. 20.

• Where: Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker. 

• Tickets: https://www.okcbroadway.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoman shines as star of The Temptations musical 'Ain't Too Proud'