Houston native returns to Bass Concert Hall with ‘Ain‘t Too Proud’

Brittny Smith ain’t too proud to shine a spotlight on two of the women who shaped the sound of Motown. Smith plays the iconic Johnnie Mae Matthews, Detroit’s “Godmother of Soul” and the legendary Mary Wilson of The Supremes in the Broadway Across America production of “Ain’t Too Proud — The Life and Times of the Temptations,” which opens at Bass Concert Hall on Tuesday, March 28.

Houston-born and Texas-proud, Smith said that she feels honored to portray two of the five women in the musical that chronicles the history of The Temptations.

“The musical is very much centered around The Temptations: Their life and legacy; their music and artistry. But there were pivotal women who shaped the story,” Smith said. “I love how the women are interwoven into the musical. They have their own stories that shape the overall narrative.”

Playing the roles of Matthews and Wilson, Smith had the chance to explore two women who each were powerful in their own distinctive ways.

“Johnnie Mae Matthews was the Temptations’ very first manager,” Smith said. “She is a shark of a person as they call her in the play. She managed a lot of the acts who became part of the fabric of Motown. She was no-nonsense. She knew a lot about the business. She had connections, and was very much an ‘I’ll make you or I’ll break you’ kind of person. Women in that time had to be more cutthroat to get their point across.”

Conversely, Smith’s other character, Mary Wilson, represented the more glamorous and glitzy side of Motown. “The Supremes were obviously very important to the story,” Smith explained. “They had top billing at the time. You see a little bit of that friendly competition between The Temptations and The Supremes. You see the femininity and the struggle that we dealt with in the time.”

As a jukebox musical, “Ain’t Too Proud” brings the signature dance moves and unmistakable harmonies of the Temptations to the stage with songs like “Just My Imagination,” “My Girl,” “Get Ready” and “Papa Was A Rolling Stone.” But the musical also delivers the compelling story about how the Classic Five members climbed from the streets of Detroit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

“From start to finish, it’s really spectacular,” Smith said. “I love telling these particular stories, of real people, of icons, of African Americans… People who really shaped the country.”

“Ain’t Too Proud” will run at Bass Concert Hall from March 28 - April 2, Tuesday - Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 1 and 7 p.m. Tickets start at $30 and are available at texasperformingarts.org and BroadwayinAustin. com or by phone at 512-4771444.