COVID is really wrecking havoc on Broadway, as we know.
Sad news this morning that “Ain’t Too Proud,” the Temptations musical, will close on January 16th after 488 performances (pending any additional COVID cancellations) and 21 previews.
I loved this show, and will try and see it again in the next couple of weeks. The casts have been amazing. Dominique Morrisseau did such a good job with original Temptations singer Otis Williams’ book. Just hearing these songs live on stage, and seeing the original Motown dance moves, is exhilarating. we can only hope that down the line, “Ain’t Too Proud” will return once this whole COVID mess is over!
Performances resume tonight for three weeks on Broadway and in Washington at the Kennedy Center. There;s a national tour underway — don’t miss it!
The other news is that David Byrne’s “American Utopia” returns tonight, but downsized so the show can go on. That remarkable cast has been hit by COVID. So David is reconfiguring and playing some songs from his solo career that don’t require as many performers.
Byrne says: “What we are doing could be called Unplugged, or maybe Unchained. We are adding some songs by Talking Heads as well as songs from my solo catalog, that will supplement songs already in American Utopia. I know it’s going to be a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience, that will only be seen for a few performances. We are ready to have a good time!”
I’m going to see that one, too. If you’re a Byrne or Talking Heads fan, again, don’t miss this!
During New Year’s Week, “American Utopia” offers performances December 28 at 8 PM, December 29 at 8 PM, December 30 at 5 PM and 9 PM, January 1, 2022, at 5 PM, and January 2 at 3 PM.
See the videos below: