So when I saw that it said "tour," I thought, “Of course I want to come to this audition.” When I got the phone call, my agent said, "You booked the Broadway production.” And I said, “I didn't get the tour?” And she said, “No, you've got Broadway.” And I replied "Is that a good thing?" I loved the movie. It was standing room only. Earlier this month, it was announced that the hit Broadway musical broke a box office record … Ain’t Too Proud follows The Temptations from their beginnings struggling on the Detroit streets to being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. I knew that name because of the movie. James Harkness plays Paul Williams in ‘Ain’t Too Proud’ (Photo: Matthew Murphy). |March 9, 2020, Plus, ‘Once Upon a One More Time’ Britney Spears musical cast announced, |by And there was dead silence for a minute. She said, “James. It makes me appreciate what I do even more. A prolific actor, director, dancer, choreographer and songwriter, James Harkness plays Paul Williams, an original member of The Temptations, in Ain’t Too Proud. Amy Sapp Jeryl Brunner Earlier this month, it was announced that the hit Broadway musical broke a box office record at the Imperial Theatre, grossing $1,710,207.90 in one week. He also wrote and stars in the show Fragments of Me. The music started, “dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah.” And I thought, “But that's not the choreography.” As I watched the show, I kept thinking, “That's not right.” Because what I knew was the movie. I already know the work that goes into it. I'm from El Paso, Texas, and we didn't have a lot of theater there. Mikey Miller I was a bumblebee, and remember it being really exciting. It was for a recital and talent show. Can you talk about one of the first times you were on stage as a kid? Jeryl Brunner |March 5, 2020, |by But she did this show at the end of the year called Flight of the Bumblebee. It also sizzles with dazzling choreography from Sergio Trujillo, who won a Tony for his work on the show. |by James Harkness: This is my first leading role. But in the second grade, our teacher was a huge dance enthusiast and loved theater. Our whole class participated. |by Harkness has also appeared on Broadway in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Aida, The Color Purple and Chicago. I had auditioned for two Broadway shows. The show features their immutable harmonies in songs like “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Get Ready,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” and so many more. JH: I didn’t actually appear on stage until I was a teenager. *** It’s Broadway.” And I was like, “Okay.” I didn't really understand the significance of Broadway because I didn't come from Broadway. Paul Williams had a huge heart. The second one was Aida. I love it now that I understand the significance of what A Chorus Line is. JH: It was in Aida. |December 20, 2019. And I was in my little white uniform. "Lord" James Harkness, a moniker given to him by his Aida co-stars, was busy dancing and singing as The Temptations' Paul Williams in Ain't Too Proud on … And I love it. I have been on Broadway since 2000. For more of the best of New York entertainment this season, check out our full selection of Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, on which you can save up to 50%. He was one of the kindest people. And I booked both. And to get to step it up in this way changes you. Jeryl Brunner Ain’t Too Proud tells a story of family, loyalty, pain and betrayal. JH: His heart. |March 3, 2020, “When you see this production, you realize it’s nothing you can expect.”, Broadway Beat: ‘Come From Away' Celebrates 3 Years on Broadway, More, The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Your Seats for a Broadway Show, Broadway Q&A: Jay O. Sanders of ‘Girl From the North Country’, Broadway Q&A: James Harkness of ‘Ain’t Too Proud’. So I bought a ticket and stood in the back. A prolific actor, director, dancer, choreographer and songwriter, James Harkness plays Paul Williams, an original member of The Temptations, in Ain’t Too Proud. |March 4, 2020, From the meaning of “partial view” to where to sit with toddlers, here’s our complete guide, |by The show earned the highest grosses for any week at the Imperial Theatre. I have to say, “sorry Broadway,” but I didn't like A Chorus Line when I saw it at the age of 18. Tell me about your Broadway debut. I've had an incredible career. Once I found out what it was, it changed my life. Every time I meet someone who either worked with him or knew him, they always say he had the kindest heart. But now it's another part of the tapestry that I haven't been able to access. I love it. By love, I mean I watched the film over and over and over and over and over again. JH: I was in the Navy and our ship got commissioned in New York City. I saw dancing and stuff on TV, but Broadway was not in my universe. Now that it has been nine months since Ain’t Too Proud opened, how has the show changed you? When I went to the audition, it said “audition for the first national tour” and “possible Broadway replacements.” One of my first big jobs was a concert tour with a recording artist. I'm from El Paso, Texas, and knew television and film. What do you love about your character, Paul Williams, in Ain’t Too Proud? I was walking through Times Square as a young sailor in my Navy whites and I saw that A Chorus Line was playing. When I was cast I was in Reno, Nevada, doing a tour. The first one I had to let go, because I couldn't get to New York in time. The first Broadway show you ever saw?