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