Bringing the souls of The Temptations to life
E.Clayton Cornelious couldn’t resist the temptation to be a Temptation. He was a cast member of “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations” for its entire Broadway run in a variety of roles. The New York run ended and Cornelious had other opportunities, but he decided to go on the road playing the pop group’s baritone vocalist Paul Williams.
There are still a lot of costume changes, but he’s only playing one character this time. Williams was the band member who created the act’s singular dance moves. He struggled with emotional issues and addiction. As the show relates, he wasn’t the only one with serious problems he needed to overcome, while in a dysfunctional family-like situation with a group whose job was to bring joy and beauty to millions of people through their music.
“Ain’t Too Proud,” which visits The Bushnell May 30 through June 4, chronicles the adventures of Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Eddie Ruffin and Dennis Edwards from Motown Records also-rans in the early ’60s to one of the label’s top hitmakers. It is a fascinating journey, from doo-wop roots to catchy pop hits to psychedelic sounds and protest songs that have had a deep and lasting influence on soul music to this day.
Other famous figures from the music world portrayed onstage are Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Tammi Terrell, Motown founder Berry Gordy and innovative producer Norman Whitfield. There are over 30 songs in “Ain’t Too Proud,” most of them Temptations hits such as “Cloud Nine,” “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” “I Can’t Get Next to You,” “Ball of Confusion” and “Papa Was a Rolling Stones” but also R&B standards like “Shout” and “In the Still of the Night” plus a Supremes medley.
The book for “Ain’t Too Proud” was written by Dominique Morisseau, the much-lauded playwright who, like the Temptations, comes from Detroit. Many of Morisseau’s plays have been staged in Connecticut, including “Sunset Baby” at TheaterWorks, “Detroit ‘67” at Hartford Stage, “Paradise Blue” at the Long Wharf Theatre and “Skeleton Crew” at Westport Country Playhouse.
Cornelious said Morisseau elevates the jukebox musical by addressing psychological issues,
Company of Jamaica mixes folk dance, classical dance, modern dance and a celebration of Jamaican heritage. The troupe’s visit to New Haven this week is a co-presentation of the 2023 International Festival of Arts & Ideas, whose main festival runs June 10-25, and the Shubert. June 2 at 7 p.m., June 3 at 2 p.m. $34.50-470.20. shubert. com.
Indigo Girls
Foxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Trolley Line Blvd., Mashantucket
Indigo Girls take the long view. The duo was part of the same 1980s local music scene in Georgia that birthed REM, B-52s, Pylon and dozens of other bands. Amy Ray and Emily Saliers have continued as a folkbased pop duo for decades. They played Toad’s Place in New Haven regularly throughout the ’90s and bring friendly, heartfelt, socially conscious and politically active songs to summer festivals around the country. Indigo Girls’ “Look Long” tour is at Foxwoods’ Great Cedar Showroom on June 2 at 8 p.m. $70 and $80. foxwoods.com.
Romantic Baby and Friends
Sea Tea Comedy Theater, 15 Asylum St., Hartford
The female improv sketch troupe Romantic Baby, featuring some of the main movers and shakers of Sea Tea Improv and its Sea Tea Comedy Theater, returns to do more of its never-before-seen longform improv comedy sketches. June 2 at 9 p.m. $10. seateaimprov.com.
The Mighty Soul Drivers
Black-Eyed Sally’s,
350 Asylum St., Hartford
There’s footage of
The Mighty Soul Drivers mounting a stage last month in the food tent of the Meriden Daffodil Festival during a torrential rainstorm. They were one of the few bands not canceled by the weather. Led by Bob
Orsi of the legendary local acts The Scratch Band and D. Smith Blues Band, The Mighty Soul Drivers bring their own storm of trumpet, sax, keyboards, drums, guitar, bass and soul shouting. June 3 at 8 p.m. at Hartford’s premiere blues room, Black-Eyed Sally’s. blackeyedsallys.com.
Joe Alterman
Palace Theater,
100 E. Main St., Waterbury
Atlanta-based jazz pianist Joe Alterman plays as part of Waterbury Palace’s Spring Jazz Series. (The Summer Jazz Series commences a few weeks from now.) June 2 at 7 and 9 p.m. $36. palacetheaterct. org.
Maple Mars and Shellye Valauskas Experience
Cafe Nine, 250 State St., New Haven
Maple Mars is a decadesold power pop project featuring Hamden native Keith Hromadka. An
Emmy-winning music producer for film and TV in Los Angeles, Hromadka only visits the New Haven area once every year or two. The timing is great this year: Maple Mars’ bouncy, smart pop is terrific for the final weeks of spring and the beginning of summer, June 3 at Cafe Nine. The Shellye Valauskas Experience, with Dean Falcone on guitar, opens the 9 p.m. show. $10. cafenine.com.
Billy Porter
Foxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Trolley Line Blvd., Mashantucket
Billy Porter’s Mona Lisa Tour Volume 1 reminds everyone what a great all-around entertainer he is. You may know him as an actor from “Pose” or from his dozens of guest appearances on everything from “The Simpsons” to “American Horror Story.” He recently made his film directing debut with “Anything’s Possible.” His theater resume is the longest, including Broadway hits from “Miss
Saigon” in the early ‘90s to “Kinky Boots” a few years ago. Connecticut theatergoers remember his hysterical turn in the gay comedy “Going Native” at the Long Wharf in 2002. He sings, he dances, he gets serious, he always entertains. June 3 at 8 p.m. in Foxwoods’ Premier Theater. $40-$60. foxwoods.com.
Bruce Cockburn and Dar Williams
Infinity Hall, 32 Front St., Hartford
An inspired folk doublebill on June 3 at 8 p.m. at Infinity Hall joins Canadian singer/songwriter Bruce Cockburn (of “If I Had a Rocket Launcher”) and Dar Williams (“As Cool As I Am” and “When I Was a Boy”), who was born in New York state but whose career began in Boston. $55-$65. infinityhall.com.