The Eisengeiste review

Ain't Too Proud: The Temptations Musical
Berkeley Rep - Roda Theater
Opened 9/14, extended through 11/5

You know how these things go - you sit down in your seat for "An Evening With Thomas Edison" and idly wonder whether the play will be ok or terrible.  It's not going to be great, of course - modern shows are usually too competent to be great, too technically accomplished.  The modern theater is cool, professional, risk-averse.  So many gigs, so many line items on the resume, everyone's working hard, but they can't all be King Lear.

I knew we had good players and an fine director, but also that the show was in development and that (this is important) it is really hard to sing and dance like The Temptations.  I wondered how long it would take me to size up the show, take its measure.  About ten seconds, as it turned out.  This thing is great.

No refunds requested

A few random thoughts before retiring:

• The Merc and Chronicle have it about right (the little man is jumping out of his seat).
• There is a metric fuck-ton of talent on stage at all times.
• Everyone involved is taking this seriously.  This is the story of one of the greatest r&b bands that ever graced planet earth, and the players are giving it just a bit more commitment than they would to your local revival of Brigadoon.
• About 3/4 of the show is singing and dancing and also The Supremes show up and they are awesome because of course they are.
• Everything looks perfect.  The sets, the costumes, the haircuts, the glasses, the red Cadillac.
• Best note of the night goes to the estimable Rashidra Scott, who took us into Gimme Shelter for a second there.

As various reviewers point out, there are imperfections...but then again, too few to mention.  Adjustments will be made, but nothing is going to slow this down.  It is going straight to Broadway and will make a lot of money and win a bunch of awards, and that is as it should be.  Passionate imitation of perfection is no vice.