2/28/13

UPCOMING: "Ernie" by Mitch Albom PLUS Tigers Tix Bonus


Ernie
A Play by Mitch Albom
June 6 - July 7, 2013
Tix Go On Sale Friday, March 1 at 10 A.M. 

Mitch Albom announced that Ernie will once again return to the City Theatre, located inside of Hockeytown Café and just one block from Comerica Park, to offer fans a third season to remember "The Voice of Summer" starting Thursday, June 6. Presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network, the two-man play, dedicated to the late and beloved Hall of Fame Detroit Tiger announcer, Ernie Harwell, will also welcome back local stage favorites Will Young, as the iconic Harwell, and TJ Corbett in the role of "The Boy."

Ernie’s third season will again feature the doubleheader experience with convenient showtimes to provide fans the ability to watch the play and catch a Tigers game in the same day. To take advantage of the "doubleheader," patrons can purchase their Ernie show tickets online at OlympiaEntertainment.com, Ticketmaster.com or the Fox Theatre Box Office. At that time, a redemption code will be given for use on Tigers.com or at the Comerica Park Box Office to receive a $5 savings on select seating and at select regular season home games. Game tickets will only be available for pick-up at the Comerica Park Box Office and patrons must present their Ernie show ticket stub.

Albom, who was asked by Harwell if he'd consider a play about the announcer's life, began writing the script after Ernie’s passing in May of 2010. The two-actor play debuted in April 2011 to coincide with the Tigers baseball season and has since become the highest-attended show in the history of the City Theatre; with more than 35,000 patrons in two seasons.

Ernie is set on Harwell’s last night at Comerica Park in September of 2009, prior to his moving thank you speech to his adopted and beloved city of Detroit. Just before he walks onto the grassy field, he encounters an unusual boy who is eager to know all about him, coaxing Harwell into giving one final broadcast – the "broadcast of his life."

The play features classic footage from historic baseball moments, supplied courtesy of Major League Baseball, and boasts many unmistakable Harwell calls. Tigers fans will get a glimpse of the time that Ernie met the Great Bambino and Ty Cobb. They’ll witness how he "recreated" games in his early days, and what was behind his broadcasts of the Tigers’ 1968 and 1984 World Series.