JUNE 27 • 2024 | 43
J
N

T

he Inspired Acting Company in 
Walled Lake is getting some sea-
soned input from a Detroit-born and 
returning theater specialist who has contrib-
uted, in various capacities, to programs in 
New York, Los Angeles and beyond.
Norman L. Berman, living in Detroit until 
he turned 19, is planning to move to Novi 
from Los Angeles so he can spend time with 
family, and he will also become a board 
member of the Inspired group while doing 
some extensive writing and seeking interest 
from presenters.
“I’ve been visiting Detroit for many years 
and, about a year ago, I saw information on 
the Inspired Acting Company,
” said Berman, 
who describes his family as founding mem-
bers of Temple Israel. 
“I thought to myself that it sounded like 
an interesting group, and I called the artistic 
director, Jeff Thomakos, and introduced 
myself to him. We went out for coffee and 
hit it off,
” Berman said. 
“
About six months later, I came in and 
gave him another call. We had lunch, and I 
said to him I’m moving back here. I’ve had 
years and years of experience working with 
theater companies all over the country. I 
may be able to help you. We agreed I should 
join.
”
Berman was in the audience for Talley’s 
Folly staged by the Inspired group and looks 
forward to this summer’s musical revue, 
It’s Only Life, with music and lyrics by John 

Bucchino, that will run weekends July 12-28.
“I admire John,
” Berman said. “He’s a 
good, solid composer.
”
Berman, who took varied dancing lessons 
as a youngster, performed with the Bolshoi 
Ballet while he was still in Michigan and 
building his interest in staged performances. 
He had his bar mitzvah at Temple Israel and 
graduated from Cass Technical High School 
before enrolling at New York University.
He left the university early when he was 
asked to compose for Warner Chappell 
Music. Building on the piano studies he 
completed while in Michigan, he also varied 
his career by doing publicity for the launch 
of A Chorus Line.
“There have been many highlights in my 
career, and I guess the real highlight was my 
show on Broadway called Strider,
” he said. “I 
received a Drama Desk Award. It was based 
on a story by Tolstoy, and I was the co-com-
poser because there was a Russian counter-
point. I also was the orchestrator and the 
musical director. 
“I was onstage for every performance 
conducting the little orchestra that we 
had. We started off in a little off-Broadway 
theater and became the cause celeb. We 
were attracting big audiences and many 
stars. They came backstage to greet us, and 
word got out. A bold producer took us to 
Broadway.
”
Berman has worked in box offices and 
publicity initiatives learning how to sell a 

show, and he defines the early years of his 
career as doing quite a bit for off-Broadway 
theaters that were starting out at a time in 
which his career was launching.
“I learned how to develop an audience 
and get people interested in theater compa-
nies,
” Berman said. “I worked as an office 
person and an artistic person at the same 
time. I think I’ll bring all that I learned to 
this theater company going into its second 
year.
”
While joining the Inspired Acting 
Company board, Berman privately will be 
working on two new plays, one about White 
House history and another about UFOs.
“The arts are so important because they 
reflect who we are,
” Berman said. “I think 
the more arts organizations that we can 
support the better. After having a career of 
55 years, I like to give back. I like to support, 
especially young ones and new ones in need 
of our help.
” 

MUSIC

Inspired Acting Company’s 
newest board member 
brings seasoned input.

Lending 
His 
Experience

SUZANNE CHESSLER 
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Details

The musical revue, It’s Only Life, 
will be performed weekends 
July 12-28 by the Inspired Acting 
Company, 1124 E. West Maple, 
Walled Lake. $40-$45. 8 p.m. 
Fridays and Saturdays. 2 p.m. 
Sundays. (248) 863-9953. info@
inspiredacting.org.

Norman 
Berman

COURTESY NORMAN BERMAN

