A St. Louis son will be among the talented artists to help tell the story of Motown legends when “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations” arrives at The Fabulous Fox as part of its 2024-2025 Broadway Season on May 9 – May 11.
St. Louis native and Central VPA High School alum Robert Crenshaw is a part of the national tour for the Tony Award-winning and Grammy Award-nominated musical.
“It’s a show where you have to prepare to feel every single emotion,” said Crenshaw. “You’re gonna laugh, have a whole lot of joy within your heart and in your spirit because of the music and watching the amazing choreography.”
The musical was adapted by Dominique Morisseau from founding member Otis Williams’ book “The Temptations.” Like the book, “Ain’t Too Proud” chronicles the group’s origins from their early days in Detroit, their contributions to Motown founder Berry Gordy’s iconic record label and their ascension to superstardom. The dramatic musical captures the highs and lows of a group that helped change the course of American music.
Crenshaw plays Al Bryant, a founding member of the music group who also helped to develop the group’s name.
“I would say my favorite is playing Al Bryant because I get to sing and dance and Al, he comes on, he shows off and then he leaves.” After Al serves his purpose with moving the story along Crenshaw returns as Norman Whitfield – the Motown hitmaking songwriter who was the brains behind several songs forever linked to The Temptations.
“I take a moment to pause for a minute to truly embody each character before I walk out on stage,” Crenshaw said. “Because even though I’m Robert Crenshaw – and I add my own flare to the characters – I still have to make sure I’m telling their story.”
He gives immense credit to Director and two-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff and Tony Award winning choreographer Sergio Trujilo for passing on vital knowledge and history that helped him truly embody these characters.
“There are a few scenes that will catch people by surprise, open your eyes, and bring you to the edge of your seat,” Crenshaw said. “There are a lot of heartfelt moments and there’s a little bit of drama as well. It’s one that will keep you locked in for the entire 2.5 hours of a production.”
Since being a part of this production, Crenshaw’s respect for the music group has increased exponentially.
“[The production] gives me another level of appreciation for The Temptations and their music,” Crenshaw said. “Because of all the different things they had to face and all the adversity they had to overcome in the midst of being superstars.”
His work as part of the “Ain’t Too Proud” ensemble has compelled him to look at his own life from a different perspective.
“If I’m on this track to try to become a superstar [I] understand that there are a lot of other things that go into it, and I think this is one of those shows that can fully prepare me for that.”
Crenshaw’s entertainment career began very early at Ames Elementary – a visual and performing arts school nestled in the historic Old North neighborhood.
“I’ve always taken the arts very, very seriously,” Crenshaw said. “I was always in a show, a musical, always doing a talent show or emceeing. I just loved entertaining people”
By third grade he joined COCA and began professional vocal training with Dr. Philip Woodmore. “If it wasn’t for him I probably wouldn’t be where I am today,” said Crenshaw.
He also credits Ron Himes, Founder and Producing Director of The St. Louis Black Repertory Company for his professional development into adulthood.
His time at The Black Rep was spent playing various characters in productions such as “Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope” and “Spell #7.” He partnered with Black Rep choreography veterans Heather Beal and Vivian Watt to craft the moves for the company’s most recent staging of “Eubie.” The trio shared a 2024 St. Louis Theatre Circle Award for Outstanding Choreographer for the production.
Crenshaw then produced his own showcase “Living the Dream” where he sang, danced, and emceed all to raise money to move to New York.
After 10 months of auditioning with no luck, he finally landed a role in the musical “Forever Motown.” For that show, he sang background for former Temptations members like G.C. Cameron, Glenn Leonard, and fellow St. Louisan Theo Peoples.
“It was really incredible to be a part of that Temptations environment already and then booking [Ain’t Too Proud to Beg] shortly after,” Crenshaw said. “It was just a full circle moment. It felt like it was meant to be.”
“Ain’t Too Proud” is Crenshaw’s first national tour. And next week the show brings him to his hometown for a moment of reflection – and gratitude – for how far he has come since those early days at Ames Elementary and COCA.
“It’s been amazing to perform between seven and eight shows a week and being able to travel all across the U.S. and see so many different things,” Crenshaw said. “I’m learning different things every single day – whether it’s about my craft or about myself. I think that’s what’s made this journey and this dream so remarkable.”
The Fabulous Fox’s presentation of “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations” will take place from May 9 – 11th at The Fox Theatre. For tickets, showtimes or additional information, visit www.fabulousfox.com.
Living It content is produced with funding by the ARPA for the Arts grants program in partnership with the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis and the Community Development Administration.
