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Ain’t Too Proud Show in Tampa shares the history of the legendary band, The Temptations. Enjoy the music and get a look into the past. You can see this show and many more at the Straz Center in Tampa. While I was able to attend this show at no cost to me thanks to the Tampa Bay Bloggers, all opinions are 100% my own.
My parents grew up in Detroit in the 50s, and my dad still only plays music from the 1960s. I can’t say I blame him though, they really don’t make music like they used to. My son was actually working in the garage yesterday jamming to Motown. Makes my heart smile 🙂
Motown music is a genre of popular music that was created in the 1960s by the Motown record label, founded by Berry Gordy in Detroit, Michigan. Motown music was a unique fusion of soul, R&B, pop, and rock and roll, and it was characterized by its catchy melodies, tight vocal harmonies, and innovative production techniques.
Motown music was performed by a diverse group of artists, many of whom became household names, including The Temptations, The Four Tops, Diana Ross and The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, and many others. The Motown label’s artists were known for their polished performances, impeccable style, and iconic dance moves, which helped to define the era and make Motown music a cultural phenomenon.
Some of the most famous Motown hits include “My Girl” by The Temptations (which was also the song my dad and I danced to at my wedding), “Stop! In the Name of Love” by The Supremes, “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye, and “Dancing in the Street” by Martha and The Vandellas.
Motown music had a profound impact on the music industry and popular culture, and it helped to break down racial barriers and bring different communities together. Today, Motown music remains an enduring and beloved part of American musical history, with its timeless melodies and messages of love, unity, and hope still resonating with audiences around the world.
The Ain’t Too Proud Broadway Experience is a musical production that premiered on Broadway in 2019. The show tells the story of The Temptations, a legendary American vocal group that rose to fame in the 1960s and 1970s.
The production is based on the book “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations” by Otis Williams, the founder and last surviving original member of the group. The show features classic songs from The Temptations’ catalog, including “My Girl,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” and “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.”
The musical is directed by Des McAnuff and features choreography by Sergio Trujillo, who won a Tony Award for his work on the production. The cast includes Derrick Baskin as Otis Williams, James Harkness as Paul Williams, Jawan M. Jackson as Melvin Franklin, Jeremy Pope as Eddie Kendricks, and Ephraim Sykes as David Ruffin.
The Ain’t Too Proud Broadway Experience was a critical and commercial success, receiving 12 Tony Award nominations and winning the award for Best Choreography. The show also won a Drama Desk Award, an Outer Critics Circle Award, and a Theatre World Award.
The musical has since embarked on a national tour, bringing The Temptations’ story and music to audiences across the United States. I had the opportunity to see this incredible show here in Tampa at the Straz Center for Performing Arts.
It has been awhile since I have been to a live performance at the Straz and oh how I missed it! My husband and I took this opportunity from the Tampa Bay Bloggers to have a date night. We learned about the history of the music and band that we have listened to forever. I sang along to the music, tapped my toes and was in shock at everything they had been through. If you like good music and learning a bit about the history that built the music industry, then this is definitely a show you want to see!
The Straz Center is one of the largest performing arts centers in the southeastern United States, with five theaters and three restaurants on its campus. The theaters include the 2,610-seat Carol Morsani Hall, the 1,042-seat Ferguson Hall, the 300-seat Jaeb Theater, the 130-seat Shimberg Playhouse, and the 100-seat TECO Energy Foundation Theater.
The center hosts a variety of performances and events throughout the year, including Broadway shows, concerts, dance performances, comedy shows, and more. The center is also home to several resident companies, including the Florida Orchestra, Opera Tampa, and the Patel Conservatory.
In addition to its performances, the Straz Center also offers educational programs for people of all ages, including summer camps, workshops, and classes in a variety of performing arts disciplines.
The Straz Center is a cultural hub for the Tampa Bay area, offering world-class entertainment and education opportunities to the local community and visitors alike.
Straz Center Tampa Address:
- 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place Tampa, FL 33602
What is one of your favorite shows that you have seen at the Straz Center in Tampa?
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