“Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations” is running for a limited engagement at the Fox Theatre on June 6-7. Two local performers are set to make an appearance.
Reyanna Edwards and Zion Middleton are both in the middle of their national tour debuts, living it up to the music of the Temptations in different cities across the country. The musical tracks the astronomical rise of the famous Motown singing group, and features hits like “My Girl,” “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” and “Get Ready.”
Edwards – who is a part of the ensemble and also plays founding member of the Supremes Mary Wilson and Johnnie Mae Matthews, also known as “the Godmother of Detroit Soul” – was born in Brooklyn, New York, but has called Georgia home for almost 11 years. The Covington resident began booking regional shows while she was in college at Kennesaw State University, where she graduated last May. Her audition process for “Ain’t Too Proud” began while she was still in school.
“It was amazing to be in the same room with a whole bunch of other talented people going after the same thing that I am,” Edwards said. “It doesn’t feel like a competition in auditions. It just feels like me competing to be the best version of myself.”
Edwards adjusted to the touring lifestyle easier than most – she moved around a lot growing up, and she has welcomed the opportunity to visit new cities around the country. Her favorite stops have been Detroit, which is the birthplace of Motown, and Chicago, where a special guest attended the show.
“When we opened in Chicago, we got to see Otis Williams [founder of the Temptations] and [manager] Shelly Berger,” Edwards said. “They came to our show, and we got to meet them. It was so cool seeing the last Temptation standing.”
Edwards was a huge fan of Motown music before she joined the cast of “Ain’t Too Proud,” but welcomed the opportunity to learn more about the Temptations outside of their music. One of her favorite moments of the show is when she gets to come on as Johnnie Mae Matthews, a musician and record producer who became the first African American woman to own and operate her own record label, Northern Recording Company.
“There’s only three women on stage in a show full of like, 19 to 20 guys,” Edwards said. “I feel special! I [am] representing women in a powerful and strong way on stage.”
Unlike Edwards, Middleton didn’t consider himself a huge Motown fan before joining the touring cast of “Ain’t Too Proud.” But, he was quickly proven wrong.
“Once we started rehearsals, and I started listening to the soundtrack and going over the music, I realized that I’ve been hearing these songs my whole life,” he said. “I didn’t even realize.”
Middleton is a McDonough native and first became interested in musical theater when his brother was in a production of “Annie” when Middleton was just 13 or 14 years old. He ended up attending Elon University’s musical theater program and originally auditioned for the first national tour of “Ain’t Too Proud” in the fall of 2022. Although he didn’t make the cut that time, he tried for a second time in May of 2024 and succeeded.
Middleton said he still can’t quite believe that performing is what he gets to do for a living.
“I’m gonna perform at the Fox,” he said. “It’s an absolute dream come true!”
Middleton is a swing in “Ain’t Too Proud,” which means he has to learn multiple roles and be prepared to go on stage at the drop of a hat. This tour is the first time that Middleton has performed as a swing, and he admitted he had a hard time getting used to the responsibility. He has to cover the role of Al Bryant, which is one of the highest singing roles in the show, as well as Melvin Franklin, one of the lowest. He also covers the role of Paul Williams, one of the show’s heaviest dance parts.
“I’m really grateful for the experience, because I 100 percent will leave this tour so much stronger than when I came in,” Middleton said.
Tickets for “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations” are available at the Fox Theatre’s website.
