The Temptations Broadway Musical Cast, Key Art Revealed

The Broadway production of Ain’t Too Proud—The Life and Times of The Temptations has found its “Classic Five” leading men in Derrick Baskin, James Harkness, Jawan M. Jackson, Jeremy Pope and Ephraim Sykes.

Producers Ira Pittelman and Tom Hulce confirmed the cast on Wednesday, placing Baskin as Otis Williams, Harkness as Paul Williams, Jackson as Melvin Franklin, Pope as Eddie Kendricks and Sykes as David Ruffin.

The career of The Temptations was decades-spanning, earning them three Grammy awards and four No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100. The Dominique Morisseau-written, Des McAnuff-directed musical follows the Motown crooners’ ascent from growing up in Detroit to eventually being inducted into the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame. It will look at both the personal and political conflicts that the group experienced during the ‘60s and ‘70s, and explore topics from band lineup changes to life in Civil Rights Era-America.

The show features many of the group’s most recognizable hits such as “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)” and “Papa Was A Rolling Stone,” to name a few. Sergio Trujillo handled choreography, bringing the quintet’s smooth moves back to life.

Previews of the show begin on Feb. 28, 2019, with the official opening taking place on March 21, 2019, at the Imperial Theatre. Although general ticket sales don’t start until Nov. 19, a presale open to American Express cardholders opens today, Nov. 7. For more information, visit the musical’s website.

Check out the newly released key art below, along with a 1986 interview with Kendricks and Ruffin from the Paste archives, and revisit Paste’s listing of the 25 best Motown tracks (which features The Temptations—twice.)