The touring production of Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations, directed by Des McAnuff, is currently playing at the Ordway in Saint Paul. The show is expansive, and the musical's Dominique Morisseau, based on Otis Williams' autobiography "The Temptations," covers several decades. It begins with Williams's childhood in Detroit, which includes a six-month stint in juvie, motivating him to form his first musical group.

Ain't Too Proud is essentially a paint by numbers jukebox musical, flying through narrative events at breakneck speed. What sets it apart is the fluidity, rapid pace, and seamless integration of so many Temptations and other Motown hit songs. The pace lends the show a youthful energy that was sorely lacking in Motown mogul Berry Gordy's jukebox musical, Motown the Musical. Tony-winning choreography by Sergio Trujillo is inspired, energetic and entertaining.

Des McAnuff also directed Jersey Boys, another biographical musical following the rise of a musical group. In contrast to Jersey Boys, not only are there more Temptations (than Four Seasons) to start with, but there are more changes in the group, replacing first a lead singer who we've come to know, and then a high tenor. Replacement member characters and even original member characters are left underdeveloped, serving as narrative devices.

Some scenes in Ain't Too Proud feel only three or four lines long, and they often end when one of the characters bursts into a memorable number from the Motown catalog. The depth of material originated by Motown is used to the fullest, by interjecting only a line or two to end some scenes, but allowing a moment to breathe and perform almost an entire song in some poignant moments.

The color palette of the scenic design by Robert Brill, lighting design by Ryan O'Gara, and even the majority of the costume design by Sue Makkoo is quite stark, a Detroit-industrial black, gray and white. Set pieces enter and exit seamlessly, as if on a conveyor belt, in keeping with the frenetic pace.

The non-Equity cast is universally excellent. Some highlights include: Rudy Foster as charismatic narrator, founder and leader of the group, Otis Williams; Lowes Moore's resonant high tenor as Eddie Kendricks; Reyanna Edwards as Otis' first fast-talking manager, Johnnie Mae; and Max Herskovitz as Shelly Berger, the group's white manager who books them The Copacabana. Josiah Travis Kent Rogers brings playful pomposity to lead singer David Ruffin, and although there appeared to be some mic issues at the beginning of this performance leaving his singing in "My Girl" under amplified, by "Since I Lost My Baby" at the end of the first act, it soared.

Fans of classic Motown music of the 1960s and '70s, whether you lived it or grew up listening to The Big Chill or Forest Gump soundtracks, will be charmed by this musical. The story may seem surface level at times, with historical moments sometimes feeling simply bookmarked, but the marriage of witty dialogue with hummable tunes, familiar lyrics, and fantastic choreography render this production well worth seeing.

Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations runs through October 13, 2024, at the Ordway Music Theater, 345 Washington St, Saint Paul MN. For tickets and information, please visit ordway.org or call 651-224-4222. For information on the tour, visit ainttooproudmusical.com.