ARTS&LIFE
THEATER
For 56 years,
Shelly Berger has
been loving the
Temptations.
The Way They Do
JULIE SMITH YOLLES
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
the Things They Do
A
ugust has been a banner month
for Shelly Berger.
“I’m just glad I lasted to the
age that I am,” joked the newly turned
84-year-old.
On Aug. 2, Berger had a small dinner
party for his birthday in his hometown
of Beverly Hills, Calif. The guest list
included two Motown luminaries: Otis
Williams, the sole surviving member
of the Temptations, and Berry Gordy,
Motown Records founder and Berger’s
boss for 15 years.
“Berry has been very careful about
leaving his home since the pandemic
because he’s 92 years old. But, sure
enough, there he was
showing up for my
party,” says Berger,
who has been the
Temptations’ manag-
er for 56 years and is
the executive produc-
er of the Broadway
hit, Ain’t Too Proud,
now playing at the
Detroit Opera House through Aug. 28.
“Of course, Otis and I share every-
thing together,” adds Berger, who calls
Williams first thing every morning like
clockwork. “But here was B.G. walking
in with all of his handlers, promising
PHOTO BY MEG DARKET
Ain’t Too Proud Executive Producer Shelly Berger and Playwright
Dominque Morisseau at the Detroit premiere
72 | AUGUST 25 • 2022
Shelly Berger