AIN’T TOO PROUD
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS
The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts and the producers of the Broadway smash hit musical AIN’T TOO PROUD – THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS are thrilled to announce full casting for the First National Tour coming to West Palm Beach April 26 – 30.
Tickets for the premiere engagement of AIN’T TOO PROUD start at $40*. To purchase tickets, visit the official Kravis Center website www.kravis.org, call (561) 832-7469 or visit the Box Office during regular box office hours Monday through Saturday from Noon to 5:00 p.m.
Stepping into the role of ‘Otis Williams’ will be original First National Tour cast member, Michael Andreaus, and joining the tour from the Original Broadway Company is E. Clayton Cornelious as ‘Paul Williams.’ They join the current Classic Temptations Jalen Harris as ‘Eddie Kendricks,’ Harrell Holmes Jr. as ‘Melvin Franklin,’ and Elijah Ahmad Lewis as ‘David Ruffin’.
The tour also welcomes new cast members, Reggie Bromell, Felander, Melvin Gray Jr., Quiana Onrae’l Holmes, Ryan M. Hunt, Jeremy Kelsey, AJ Lockhart, Omar Madden, Dwayne P. Mitchell, Devin Price, Brittny Smith, Amber Mariah Talley and Nazarria Workman, who will be performing with current tour cast members Brian C. Binion, Shayla Brielle G., Devin Holloway and Andrew Volzer.
Featuring the Grammy® Award-winning songs and Tony® Award-winning moves, AIN’T TOO PROUD is the electrifying new musical that follows The Temptations’ extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. With their signature dance moves and unmistakable harmonies, they rose to the top of the charts creating an amazing 42 Top Ten Hits with 14 reaching number one and being voted the greatest R&B group of all time by Billboard Magazine in 2017. The rest is history — how they met, the groundbreaking heights they hit and how personal and political conflicts threatened to tear the group apart as the United States fell into civil unrest. This thrilling story of brotherhood, family, loyalty and betrayal is set to the beat of the group’s treasured hits, including “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Get Ready,” “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” and so many more.
After breaking house records at Berkeley Rep, The Kennedy Center, CTG’s Ahmanson Theatre, and Toronto’s Princess of Wales Theatre, AIN’T TOO PROUD opened on Broadway in March 2019, where it continued to play to sold-out audiences and broke the Imperial Theatre’s box office record. The first national tour launched in December 2021 at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. Written by Kennedy Prize-winning playwright Dominique Morisseau, directed by two-time Tony Award® winner Des McAnuff and featuring the Tony® Award-winning choreography of Sergio Trujillo, this dazzling production now brings the untold story of the legendary quintet to audiences across the country.
The creative team also includes Tony Award nominee Robert Brill (scenic design), Tony® Award winner Paul Tazewell (costume design), Tony® Award winner Howell Binkley (lighting design), Tony® Award winner Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound design), Drama Desk Award winner Peter Nigrini (projection design), Drama Desk Award winner Charles G. LaPointe (hair and wig design), Steve Rankin (fight direction), Brian Harlan Brooks (tour resident director), Edgar Godineaux (associate choreographer), John Miller (music coordinator), Molly Meg Legal (production supervisor) and Nicole Olson (production stage manager). Orchestrations are by Tony® Award recipient Harold Wheeler, with music supervision and arrangements by Kenny Seymour. Casting is by Tara Rubin Casting, Merri Sugarman, C.S.A.
The national tour of AIN’T TOO PROUD is produced by Ira Pittelman and Tom Hulce, in association with Stephen Gabriel, executive producer. General management and production management by Work Light Productions.
The Grammy Award®-nominated Ain’t Too Proud Original Broadway Cast Recording is available from Universal Records on CD, vinyl, and streaming. For more information, please visit: https://ume.lnk.to/AintTooProudBroadwayCastPR
CAST BIOGRAPHIES
Michael Andreaus (Otis Williams). Broadway: A Soldier’s Play (Roundabout). Off-Broadway: Love and Yogurt (NY Theatre Barn). NY: Savage (NYMF). Regional: Ragtime (Theatre Aspen), Rock of Ages (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma). Film/TV: Finding Carlos, When They See Us (Netflix). BM: University of Central Oklahoma. Thanks to his family and friends, his agents at Headline Talent and his manager LK. IG: @michael_andreaus.
E. Clayton Cornelious (Paul Williams) has been a Broadway/TV actor for 25 years. He worked on the West End of London, has done nine Broadway shows, and this marks his tenth Broadway tour. On top of acting, he is now a 5-year Broadway Investor/Producer. He made his Broad- way producing debut on Chicken & Biscuits last fall and he is now co-producing on a new upcoming Broadway show, New York, New York. He is a graduate of PPU and is currently getting his second degree in Business Management at EGCC. He is grateful to friends, family and God. Instagram: @Eclaycorn, Website: Eclaycorn.com
Jalen Harris (Eddie Kendricks) is an accomplished singer, actor and model, first being discovered on season ten of Fox’s “American Idol.” Jalen has been cast and seen for various television programs, national publications, and films like “Fist Fight” (Warner Bros) and most recently Jordan Peele’s “LoveCraft Country” (HBO). He is a former Simba standby actor for the Tony® Award-winning and critically acclaimed Disney’s The Lion King North American Broadway Tour. Jalen is also a latin/R&B crossover recording artist with records produced by Grammy® Award-winning producer/engineer Mack Woodward (Beyonce). Jalen is thankful and considers himself blessed to portray the Icon Eddie Kendricks. “Thanks to God, my family, WLP and my incredible management.” @jalenuniversal
Harrell Holmes Jr. (Melvin Franklin). A native of Saginaw, MI. This triple threat is a graduate of AMDA. Making his tour debut, Harrell is a true throwback to the days of charismatic live bands and legendary soul artistry. His credits include “Star Search”, “American Idol”, and “The Watching” (film). He is a Motown Scholarship & Stevie Wonder Scholarship Winner. “Ever since I was 8 years old, I’ve wanted to be a Temptation, to now have that opportunity to bring their story to life is a dream come true.”
Elijah Ahmad Lewis (David Ruffin). Multi-award-winning singer, actor, songwriter and arranger. Broadway: Motown, Tony® Award-winning Ain’t Too Proud. Tours: Motown (First and Second National), Mama, I Want To Sing (Japan). TV/Film: “Power Book III: Raising Kanan,” “B-Boy Blues,” “Mama, I Want to Sing!,” “America” (starring Rosie O’Donnell), The Grammys®. Music: SZA, Chance the Rapper, Ariana Grande, James “JT” Taylor, Cissy Houston, Madonna. Thanks to family & my team. To my mentor/friend Cicely Tyson, this is for you! IG: @elijah. ahmad.lewis. elijahahmadlewis.com.
Brian C. Binion (Swing) is overjoyed to be a part of the ATP family telling the story of such an iconic group. His show credits include Broadway: Disney’s The Lion King. Regional: Kinky Boots, West Side Story, After Midnight, A Soldiers Tale, Man of La Mancha (UNCSA 2013) IG: @Bbinion13.
Reggie Bromell (Swing). Originally from New Jersey is thrilled to be part of the ATP family! Thanks to God first, and his family for their continued support. Nat’l/Int’l Tours: Memphis, Pippin, and DreamGirls. Regional: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, In The Heights, Austen’s Pride. Shoutout to HAA! #blacklivesmatter @reggiebromell.
Felander (Lamont) Having spent the past two years in Tokyo, Felander is ecstatic to be joining the ATP family. What a dream. Timing. From Montgomery, AL. Select credits: Dreamgirls (Jimmy Early), Shrek (Donkey), Disney, music, TV/Film. Mama Tanyu, Dad Netric, Jaleesa, Jermony, Kenli, Devin. Love y’all. BEA/Tara Rubin. www.Felander.com @Felander
Shayla Brielle G. (Mama Rose / Florence Ballard / Tammi Terrell). Shayla Brielle G. is thrilled to be bringing this incredible story around the country. She is a proud native of Cincinnati, Ohio and studied Music Theatre at Baldwin Wallace University. Thank you to Mom, Dad, Tara Rubin Casting, Lakey Wolff & Co. and the entire support system. Glory to God!
Melvin Gray Jr. (Swing / Dance Captain) is a NC native and is so excited to be making his National Tour debut in ATP! Some of his fav credits include Mamma Mia, The Scottsboro Boys, Memphis, Smokey Joe’s Cafe and Newsies! Thank you, Mama, Dad, Jeffrey and so many others for your love and support! IG: melvingrayjr5.
Devin Holloway (Richard Street) is grateful and honored. A native of New Orleans, Devin Holloway has performed across the United States and Internationally. Tours: Tap Brother 1 in After Midnight (Norwegian Escape), Minstrel in Something Rotten, Jackie Wilson in Motown, Margaret Mead in Hair (European tour), 42nd Street, and Sesame Street LIVE: MNF. Much Love to my family, and friends, Work Light Productions, Tara Rubin Casting, FSE and the ATP creatives. www.devinholloway.net. IG: @thedevinholloway.
Quiana Onrae’l Holmes (Josephine) is blessed to be joining this gifted company. (BM) Berklee College of Music. National Tours: JCS, Motown. Regional: Ain’t Misbehavin’, F.O.L.K (WDW), The Wiz, Dreamgirls, Rent. Film: Lean In. Thank you, God, Mom, Dad, HH, WLP, Tara Rubin Casting, and ATP Creatives. @quianaonrael quianaholmes.com.
Ryan M. Hunt (Shelly Berger) National tours: Rock of Ages, R & H’s Cinderella, Mamma Mia!, The Simon & Garfunkel Story. Thank you to Work Light Productions, Tara Rubin Casting and ATB Talent for this opportunity. Thank you to friends and family for their support. B.F.A. University of Evansville. Proud member of AEA. @ryan_m_ hunt.
Jeremy Kelsey (Berry Gordy). A graduate of Fisk University, Jeremy is thrilled to make his national tour debut with Ain’t Too Proud. He would like to thank God, his family and friends, Tara Rubin Casting, Work Light Productions and the ATP Creatives.
AJ Lockhart (Swing) Would like to deeply thank his mom, aunt, nana, poppie, great-grandma and Clear Talent Group. Tours: Bring It On! The Musical (Cameron), West Side Story 60th Anniversary Tour (Moose), Memphis: The Musical (Wailin’ Joe). Favorite Regional: RENT (Collins), Tick, Tick… Boom (Michael), Matilda (Rudolpho), The Little Mermaid (Jetsam).
Omar Madden (Smokey Robinson / Damon Harris) is grateful to be a new addition to the Ain’t Too Proud. First National Tour family. Aside from acting, he sings in a corporate band and performs around the country. Omar thanks Hudson Artists Agency, Tara Rubin Casting and ATP for this opportunity. @omarmadden
Dwayne P. Mitchell (Dennis Edwards) is honored to make his National Tour Debut with Ain’t Too Proud! He has performed nationally and internationally, most recently with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Training: Fisk University, Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Thanks to Mommy, HKA, my family, mi amor and friends. Glory to God! IG: @dwaynepmitchell.
Devin Price (Al Bryant / Norman Whitfield). He is an actor, singer and dancer originally from Lansing, Michigan. Credits: National Tour: Motown the Musical Regional: The Color Purple (MSMT) Kinky Boots, RENT (Angel), Five Guys Named Moe, Smokey Joes Cafe, Memphis, Priscilla Queen of the Dessert. Thanks to Husband, family, friends, and About Artists Agency. IG: @devinleshar
Brittny Smith (Johnnie Mae / Mary Wilson) A native of Houston and holds a B.A and M.Ed from Tx Southern University. Nat’l/Int’l tour: Diva Donna in The Donna Summer Musical, Dreamgirls, Step Afrika. Regional: The Color Purple, Chicago.Tv/Film: Stomp The Yard 2. Also, the founder of a nonprofit and performing arts scholarship. IG: @BBenai08
Amber Mariah Talley (Diana Ross) is a proud Atlanta native and a recent alumna of the Boston Conservatory at Berklee (BFA MT 2022). She is so excited to make her National Tour Debut with Ain’t too Proud. Thank you to my wonderful family for everything we did it.
Andrew Volzer (Swing / Stage Manager) is thrilled to be making his National Tour debut. Recent Credits: The Secret Garden (CCM), Glory Denied (Kentucky Opera), Junior Theater Festival (iTheatrics). He’s a graduate of CCM with a BFA in Stage Management. He is grateful to his family and friends for all their love and support.
Nazarria Workman (Swing / Dance Captain) is a proud Native New Yorker and couldn’t be more ecstatic to be joining Ain’t Too Proud! National Tours: Motown the Musical, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical Regional: Hairspray. Thanks to God, my family, and friends. I love you all. IG: nazarria_twerkman.
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