By Andrew Cristi
Broadway Sensation EPHRAIM SYKES Talks The Temptations, Inclusion, and Ariana Grande!
By Andrew Cristi
Tony season is about to be upon us, and after the most diverse and inclusive year in award show history, fans are hoping that kind of attention to representation spills over into the stage’s biggest honor- especially since after all, Broadway is a part of New York, the great melting pot, and they’ve always already been ahead of the curve on celebrating visibility. From “Dreamgirls,” to “Angels In America,” to “Hamilton,” and from Chita Rivera to Anika Noni Rose, Broadway has always been a leading frontier in the fight for more diversity, with putting people from all races and creeds front and center as leads, gay actors winning awards for playing gay characters, and telling stories that take society forward rather than pull it backwards. And yet, all that said, and still, it seems as though many of the front runners in line to be nominated this season aren’t all that diverse.
But, many is not all, and thankfully, there are a few diverse talents that seem destined to take home some gold this year. Case in point? Ephraim Sykes- a soulful sensation that has been dominating The Imperial Theater lately in the Motown hit “Ain’t Too Proud.” In fact, the story is a sweet cherry on top of a very progressive year as it illuminates the history of The Temptations, and how they helped to unify the country during divisive times through music- much like what the play itself is doing for audiences right now. Hatred is not only left at the door when the curtain rises, but strides are being made on stage and behind it- with a black female writer, Dominique Morisseau at the helm, a rarity in theater that is not lost on the charismatic Sykes.
Extremely intelligent, and woke as can be, the magnetic star is quick to praise the visibility and inclusion of “Ain’t Too Proud”– both in front of, and behind the scenes, and is thought-provoking as ever as he states that he would be extremely happy to see the Tonys join in on the diversity that has been celebrated this past award season, but that this needs to continue for more than a season, and that the movement can’t be restricted to a single year- which is precisely why it would be such a disappointment if the famed award ceremony didn’t help spread the love.
And while Sykes definitely has the passion and intelligence to help this movement become more than a moment, he also has the talent. Diversity is not the reason that the “Ain’t Too Proud” star should walk away a winner- the award show and society are the true winners when inclusion is at the forefront, not the actor. The reason Ephraim Sykes deserves a Tony is because he earned it. The dedicated star did his due-diligence in researching his complex role of David Ruffin, talking to original Temptation Otis Williams in length, and reading books and watching films about the history of the iconic musical group. And most of all, Motown is a celebration of music that unifies the country- and not only does the clever performer understand that, he embodies it, with Motown coursing through his blood and veins as he takes the stage.
In fact, Sykes is an old pro when it comes to recreating the 60’s and the songs that brought us together. He was already part of the original cast of “Motown: The Musical,” and two years ago he acted alongside Ariana Grande in NBC’s “Hairspray: Live!” And, after romancing one of Pop’s most applauded princesses on screen, it would have been no surprise to watch the Florida native devote his talents more to movies and Hollywood rather than plays and Broadway, but Sykes proved to be a true great thespian, returning to the stage to wow again- and he did so in spades.
So, yes– while a Tony for the gifted performer would very much help add to an unstoppable movement sweeping through entertainment, the real reason why Sykes should take home the gold is because he deserves it. His performance is teaching history, touching hearts, putting smiles on faces, and ultimately, helping to unify the country- and what could really be more award worthy than that? With “Ain’t Too Proud” still pleasing the crowds and Tony season underway, Wingman sat down to talk to the amiable star to learn all about his hit play, his love of Motown, and to find out if he would be down to collaborate again with the “Thank U, Next” superstar. Read on to see what Sykes had to say!
WINGMAN: So, “Ain’t Too Proud” is a feel-good crowd pleaser. For people who have yet to see it, tell fans a little bit about the play, and about your character.
EPHRAIM
SYKES: The play is about the life and times of The Temptations, told through the eye of
Otis Williams, the last living original member of the group. It follows the
five young black men’s rise to fame during a time of great civic unrest and
racism here in America. I play David Ruffin, who is known as The Temptations
first front man, famous for his incredible raspy voice, dance moves, and
offstage antics.
WINGMAN: One thing that’s great about
this play is that it really tells the story of how music can unify people- that
these are black men during pretty divided times that become loved by all
through music. In general, Motown really served as a unifier. Can you talk
about Motown, it’s effects, and telling that story?
SYKES: Somehow music seems
to always be the one thing that can unite people when we’re most divided.
Motown happened to be the soundtrack of the civil rights era. It literally was
the birth of what we call “pop” music as it was so popular, listened to by
EVERYBODY. Motown was and is one
thing we all had in common back then and that allowed us to sing together,
dance together, and later started to love each other. In “Ain’t Too Proud” you get to relive that moment in
history as well as know what happened behind the scenes- what decisions and
sacrifices The Temptations and other
black artists had to endure to “crossover” to white America.
WINGMAN: What research did you do on The Temptations, and your character;
David Ruffin?
SYKES: I grew up a Temptations fan, watched the TV movie a
million times when I was younger. I also was in the original cast of “Motown: The Musical,” where I
played a Temp, so I’ve probably watched every clip of The Temps known to man [laughs.] Beyond that, I read Otis
Williams’ book, as well as spent a lot of time with him picking his brain about
who David was. Between talking to Otis, Shelly Berger- who was the manager for The Temptations, and a lot of other people
who personally knew David, I was able to really get a sense of who he was on
the inside versus how he presented himself to the world, and what his real
childhood trauma was that may have lead to the adult demons he dealt
with.
WINGMAN: Do you have any favorite
Motown hits, or singers that inspire you?
SYKES: I have so many! [Laughs] Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and young Michael
Jackson are my top three. And of course The
Temptation; David, Dennis Edwards
was always my favorite Temp voice.
WINGMAN: You are a phenomenal actor
and singer, and there’s rightfully huge talk of Tony buzz for you- and you
should win! This year saw the most
diverse year in history during awards season, and it would be great to see the
Tonys continue that attention to representation and inclusion. Do you have any
thoughts on this?
SYKES: It’s an honor to be
a part of such a diverse season! The thing is though; it can’t just be a season! This needs to be more than just
a trend- this needs to be an actual movement–
one that not only shows more diversity and representation on stage, but also
“on the other side of the table” as well. It’s been an honor working with a
black female playwright for the FIRST TIME in my career, and I think it’s
the reason our play is so powerful- it comes from an authentic voice. We need
diversity with directors, choreographers, musical directors, producers, and
maybe most importantly, the audience.
WINGMAN: You also were in the stage
sensation phenomenon; “Hamilton.” Did
you ever imagine that the play would grow to be what it has become, and if they
did a film version, would you be interested in reprising your role?
SYKES: As soon as I read
the script and heard the music for “Hamilton,”
I knew it was going to change the game- but I could never have foreseen the
cultural impact it would have on our country and the world. Funny enough, we
actually shot a movie version of it with the original cast, and I hear it’s in
talks of distribution. We’ll see!
WINGMAN: Speaking of being on screen,
fans loved watching you in “Hairspray:
Live!” A few years ago. Were you a fan of the films before coming into
the project!
SYKES: I was a huge fan of
the Elijah Kelley/Queen Latifah version from back in the day, but it wasn’t
until I got the job that I went back and watched the original version.
WINGMAN: Your love interest in “Hairspray: Live!” was the
incredible Ariana Grande- who just won Coachella, as well as the charts with “Sweetener.” Any interest in collaborating
with Ariana on a track?
SYKES: I would love to collaborate with Ariana again! She’s hands
down one of my favorite voices right now.
WINGMAN: In just the past few years,
you starred on one of television’s most successful broadcasts, had a part in
one of the biggest Broadway musicals of all time, and now should be winning a
Tony for your latest performance. What other roles would you love to play, and
who else would you love to work with?
SYKES: First of all, THANK YOU- and your mouth to God’s ears! As for roles I’d like to play, I like creating new stuff, so I’d love to work with brilliant, outside the box minds like Donald Glover, Jordan Peele, Spike Lee, Issa Rae, Quentin Tarantino- the list goes on and on!
It shouldn’t be long until all those names line up to work with the talented star. Until then, let’s just hope God hears and that Sykes is awarded his well-deserved Tony!
Catch “Ain’t Too Proud” at The Imperial Theater!
Mike McCarthy