The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Bushnell’s ‘Life and Times of Temptations’
HARTFORD — Prepare to be electrified as the musical past rises up to astound you with the rousing and deeply rewarding story of one signature quintet: The Temptations.
From their start on the streets of Detroit with Motown, all the way to their induction into the prestigious Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, this group is ready to take Hartford audiences along on their journey, one that resonates with the bonds of brotherhood, connection of family, need for loyalty and ultimate cruelty of betrayal.
The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts will try to control its enthusiasm as this story rocks the rafters with “Ain’t Too Proud: the Life and Times of The Temptations” from May 30 to June 4. Their tale reads like a roller coaster ride, from how they met, the heights they hit, and how the country’s civil rights unrest tested their togetherness.
The Temptations smoothly orchestrated their choreography, and their unbelievable harmonies drove them to the top of the charts with an outstanding 42 Top Ten hits, 14 of which rose like cream on a milk bottle all the way to No. 1.
Get set to hear such special tunes as “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Get Ready,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,““Treat Her Like a Lady,” and lots more.
Otis Williams is the only member of the group, now 82, who began with the originals six decades ago. He is now joined by lead vocalists Ron Tyson and Terry Weeks, bass vocalist Willie Greene Jr. and most recent member Anthony Grant. The group has been called by the editors of Rolling Stone “indisputably the greatest Black vocal group of the modern era.”
This show is based on Williams’ personal journey. Come follow these trailblazers known as the “Classic Five.”
For tickets ($42 and up), call The Bushnell, 166 Capitol Ave., Hartford, at 860-987-5900 or navigate to bushnell.org. Performances are Tuesday through Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m.
Audiences will enjoy the tale of these Motown superstars, who, for more than six decades, experienced triumphs and trials, and ultimately vaulted to international star power.