WRITTEN BY BEST-SELLING AUTHOR AND PLAYWRIGHT MITCH ALBOM

Detroit -- In Ernie Harwell’s final year, the famed broadcaster had several conversations with best-selling author Mitch Albom about doing a theatrical play based on Harwell’s life. Although Harwell died before the work could be completed, the idea will finally blossom and reach the stage next March. Just in time for the new baseball season, Detroit’s City Theatre will host the world premiere of “Ernie” – Albom’s brand new play based on the life of the legendary voice of baseball.

“Ernie’s story transcends sports,” Albom says. “It is a story of 20th century Americana, a tough upbringing through the Depression, a true love that lasted 70 years, a World War, a fascinating career, and of course, behind it all, baseball. Ernie is a rich and wonderful subject for the stage.”

While working on the play this summer, Albom thought about the City Theatre, where he had staged previous work [[including the hit play “Duck Hunter Shoots Angel.”) Albom was intrigued with its proximity to Comerica Park – just across the street - where Harwell broadcast during the last years of his career. “The idea that people could see a play about a baseball icon, then walk across the street and see actual games on the same field where he called them – well, it just seemed fitting to Ernie’s story,” Albom said. Story continues