The Producers of the First National Tour of Ain’t Too Proud, which recently celebrated its one-year anniversary on the road, welcome a new Otis Williams, Paul Williams, and additional cast.
Stepping into the role of ‘Otis Williams’ will be original First National tour cast member, Michael Andreaus, and joining the tour from the Original Broadway Company is E. Clayton Cornelious as ‘Paul Williams.’ They join the current Classic Temptations Jalen Harris as ‘Eddie Kendricks,’ Harrell Holmes Jr. as ‘Melvin Franklin,’ and Elijah Ahmad Lewis as ‘David Ruffin’.
The tour also welcomes new cast members, Felander, Melvin Gray Jr., Quiana Onrae’l Holmes, Jeremy Kelsey, AJ Lockhart, Omar Madden, Devin Price, and Brittny Smith who will be performing with current tour cast members.
The First National Tour of Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations launched at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. in December 2021 and has continued to thrill audiences across the country with tour cities announced into fall 2023, with 2023-2024 season dates to be revealed shortly.
The musical, which opened on Broadway on Thursday, March 21, 2019, and was nominated for 12 Tony Awards and winning the Tony 2019 Tony Award for Best Choreography, brings the incredible true story of the greatest R&B group of all time to the stage. With a Tony Award nominated book by Dominique Morisseau, Ain’t Too Proud features an iconic score made up of The Temptations’ legendary songs. Two-time Tony Award Winner Des McAnuff directs, with Tony Award-winning choreography by Sergio Trujillo.
Biographies
Michael Andreaus (Otis Williams). Broadway: A Soldier’s Play (Roundabout). Off-Broadway: Love and Yogurt (NY Theatre Barn). NY: Savage (NYMF). Regional: Ragtime (Theatre Aspen), Rock of Ages (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma). Film/TV: Finding Carlos, When They See Us (Netflix). BM: University of Central Oklahoma. Thanks to his family and friends, his agents at Headline Talent and his manager LK. IG: @michael_andreaus
E. Clayton Cornelious (Paul Williams) has been a Broadway/TV actor for 25 years. He worked on the West End of London, has done 9 Broadway shows, and this marks his tenth Broadway Tour. On top of acting, he is now a 5-year Broadway Investor/Producer. He made his Broadway producing debut on Chicken & Biscuits last Fall and he is now co-producing on a new upcoming Broadway show, New York, New York. He is a graduate of PPU and is currently getting his second degree in Business Management at EGCC. He is grateful to friends, family, and God. Instagram: @Eclaycorn, Website: Eclaycorn.com
Felander (Lamont) Having spent the past two years in Tokyo, Felander is ecstatic to be joining the ATP family. What a dream. Timing. From Montgomery, AL. Select credits: Dreamgirls (Jimmy Early), Shrek (Donkey), Disney, music, TV/Film. Mama Tanyu, Dad Netric, Jaleesa, Jermony, Kenli, Devin. Love y’all. BEA/Tara Rubin. http://www.Felander.com @Felander
Melvin Gray Jr. (Swing / Dance Captain) is a NC native and is so excited to be making his National Tour debut in ATP! Some of his fav credits include Mamma Mia, The Scottsboro Boys, Memphis, Smokey Joe’s Cafe and Newsies! Thank you, Mama, Dad, Jeffrey and so many others for your love and support! IG: melvingrayjr5.
Quiana Onrae’l Holmes (Josephine) is blessed to be joining this gifted company. (BM) Berklee College of Music. National Tours: JCS, Motown. Regional: Ain’t Misbehavin’, F.O.L.K (WDW), The Wiz, Dreamgirls, Rent. Film: Lean In. Thank you, God, Mom, Dad, HH, WLP, Tara Rubin Casting, and ATP Creatives. @quianaonrael quianaholmes.com.
Jeremy Kelsey (Berry Gordy). A graduate of Fisk University, Jeremy is thrilled to make his national tour debut with Ain’t Too Proud. He would like to thank God, his family and friends, Tara Rubin Casting, Work Light Productions, and the ATP Creatives.
AJ Lockhart (Swing) Would like to deeply thanks his mom, aunt, nana, poppie, great-grandma, and Clear Talent Group. Tours: Bring It On! The Musical (Cameron), West Side Story 60th Anniversary Tour (Moose), Memphis: The Musical (Wailin’ Joe). Favorite Regional: RENT (Collins), Tick, Tick… Boom (Michael), Matilda (Rudolpho), The Little Mermaid (Jetsam).
Omar Madden (Smokey Robinson / Damon Harris) is grateful to be a new addition to the Ain’t Too Proud First National Tour family. Aside from acting, he sings in a corporate band and performs around the country. Omar thanks Hudson Artists Agency, Tara Rubin Casting, and ATP for this opportunity. @omarmadden
Devin Price (Al Bryant / Norman Whitfield). He is an actor, singer, dancer originally from Lansing, Michigan. Credits: National Tour: Motown the Musical. Regional: The Color Purple (MSMT) Kinky Boots, RENT (Angel), Five Guys Named Moe, Smokey Joes Cafe, Memphis, Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Thanks to Husband, family, friends, and About Artists Agency. IG: @devinleshar
Brittny Smith (Johnnie Mae / Mary Wilson) A native of Houston and holds a B.A and M.Ed from Tx Southern University. Nat’l/Int’l tour: Diva Donna in The Donna Summer Musical, Dreamgirls, Step Afrika. Regional: The Color Purple, Chicago. TV/Film: Stomp The Yard 2. Also, the founder of a nonprofit and performing arts scholarship. IG: @BBenai08
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