I remember just about everything about Ain’t Too Proud. It all started with me back on February 9, 2017, during our first developmental workshop. From there, we went to Berkeley, CA for an out of town tryout. While we were a massive success at Berkeley Rep, there was no open theater for us to move into back in NYC. Instead of waiting, the producers decided to take the show on the road until a theater opened up.
We had a week of tech rehearsals and one show in Bloomington, Indiana, then went on a mini pre-Broadway tour playing several weeks in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Toronto.
On March 21, 2019, we performed on Jimmy Fallon's show, then had a police escort through Times Square and rushed across town for an opening night on Broadway.
Our producers treated us right all along the way and gave massive opening night parties in all of those cities (except Bloomington), which means we had five opening nights! We partied hard in each one.
The show was nominated for 12 Tony Awards (winning one), broke box office records at The Imperial Theater, performed on several TV shows including the 2019 Tony’s and from my perspective, we had a good thing happening. The vibe in the pit was great and there is still a text chain with all of the original members of that band. We had some really fun times-until Broadway shut everything down in March of 2020.
The show reopened in the fall of 2021, but in December of that year, we had a Zoom call where the producers broke the news that we were closing on January 16, 2022. I remember how I felt. Putting so much time into the show, only to see it end abruptly. The financial strain resulting from numerous show cancellations, triggered by cast members contracting a coronavirus that shall not be named was more than the producers were willing to accept.
I get it; it's a business.
A line from “Ain’t Too Proud” that always sticks with me is, “Hard feelings, soft feelings. Only thing that matters is the bottom line.” This serves as a reminder that, at its core, Broadway, like most businesses, is fundamentally driven by the pursuit of profit. After everything that's happened from 2020 to 2023, I've learned to focus on what's important: my family, my close friends, and making sure I focus in on profit generating ventures. Everything else is just not important. And I'm totally fine with putting myself and my needs first - it just makes sense, you know what I’m sayin’?
The things that still bring a smile to my face are my personal connections I still have with the producers, the band, many in the cast, and the crew over at The Imperial Theater.
The only thing that still bugs me is how the show had to end. I've moved on to other things, and like the Temps song says, "Don't Look Back."
Last month, I got a call to fill in as the drummer for Ain't Too Proud in Philadelphia for four shows. As I practiced the music, a wave of nostalgia hit me, reminding me of the wonderful times I had contributing to the creation of the show. However, this also revived horrible memories of the absurd protocols and overwhelming chaos I had to navigate in New York City back in the fall of 2021, all in the pursuit of reviving a job I once loved.
The experience was a reminder of how awful things were and how I vowed to never again do any of the things I was forced to do during that time. #neveragain
I love playing this music. I remembered why I chose the drum parts I did and how they matched what was happening on stage. Creating a drum book was a highlight for me.
Then it hit me - January 16, 2022, was the last time I played the show or even thought about it. And now, on this very day, January 16, 2024, I'm back on the drum throne in Philly.
The show has been touring since 2022, and two incredible drummers have been on the tour. Playing this music again feels like riding a bike, albeit one with tassels, a basket, and a playing card attached to the back tire for that cool motorcycle sound when the bike is pedaled. Remember that?
Q. Robinson and Zack Albetta really play the hell out of this book. Props to both of them for keeping the drum book alive!
I'm looking forward to playing the show with a whole new bunch of folks. But after this week, it's all about moving forward. I don’t want to go back to the past.
I have a bunch of projects in the pipeline, and I'm excited about what's coming next!
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Yes! Have a blast playing ATP for another go round. 🤘🏻🥁🤘🏻