Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations
Paramount Theatre
January 24 – February 5, 2023 get more info and tickets here.
Devin Holloway’s musical theatre interests were captured when at age five, he watched Peter Pan. Since then, he has performed on Broadway, cruise ships, and national touring companies. Devin is performing in the hit show, Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations. This Tony Award winning musical is playing at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre.
Eric Andrews-Katz: Who was your earliest influence in becoming a performer?
Devin Holloway: There’s really three of them. Eddie Murphy and Jim Carey, because I love their comedy, and can relate to that type of humor. Then, there’s Peter Pan, the VHS tape with Mary Martin. My Grandmother showed it to me when I was five years old.
Andrews-Katz: What was your introduction to The Temptations?
Holloway: Oh, very young. My grandparents would take road trips, and play The Temptations. My family had a drag race team, and we’d travel a lot going to the different road sites. We always listened to The Temptations. Also, at Christmas time, my grandmother played the Motown Christmas Album. The Temptations have always been in my life.
Andrews-Katz: In the musical Ain’t Too Proud, you play Richard Street of The Temptations. How did you prepare for the role of the real-life singer?
Holloway: First, I listened to Richard’s songs. Then, I did Wikipedia and other research online to get as much information about him as I could. I saturated myself with Otis Williams, and listened to all of The Temptations work. I was filling myself with their material. Richard Street, and Otis as well, have autobiographies. They were the only two that wrote accounts of their experiences with The Temptations.
Andrews-Katz: What was the most interesting thing that you learned about Richard Street?
Holloway: That he was really part of The Temptations the entire time. He and Melvin Franklin are cousins. Richard was always around if they needed an extra voice. When Paul started getting sick, they began to bring in Richard on the songs. Then on tour. Richard was always part of The Temptations.
Andrews-Katz: What is one part of the show that stands out for you?
Holloway: My favorite moment of the show is “Just My Imagination”. It’s the only song we do in its entirety. It’s a beautiful song about falling in love, without the other person knowing that you exist. Eddie Kendricks sings that song, and Richard is one of the background singers. It feels good to do [the song], and it gives the audience a full song they can enjoy.
Andrews-Katz: If you could play any role – regardless of any limitations – what would it be and why that role?
Holloway: Again, there’s three. Right now, I’m kind of in a Grey Gardens phase. Eddie Beal in Grey Gardens would be the role. That character arc is so sweet. To go from high socialite, and the fall. To make a decision between staying with her mother, or to go about her own life. I can identify with that in my own way. Then there’s Mama Rose from Gypsy; so much you can sink your teeth into. The third is Roger Debris in The Producers, but I don’t know how a ‘gay black Hitler character’ would go over.
Devin Holloway appeared on Broadway in Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations before traveling with the National Tour. Other National Tours include Something Rotten! and the musical, Motown. He can found at: https://www.devinholloway.net.
Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations
Paramount Theatre
January 24 – February 5, 2023 get more info and tickets here.
