ERNIE Scheduled for an Encore Engagement in 2012 at City Theatre

With more than 75 sold-out performances in its premiere run, "Ernie" is coming back for a second season. The stage play, dedicated to the late and belovEd Hall of Fame Detroit Tiger announcer, Ernie Harwell, will renew its engagement at the City Theatre next spring, according to playwright, author and award-winning journalist Mitch Albom, who made the surprise announcement on stage Thursday night.

"Ernie" is the highest-grossing and highest-attended show in the history of the City Theatre, which was once home to Second City Detroit. Tickets ($20 and $25) for the 2012 performances of "Ernie" are on sale now and may be purchased online at OlympiaEntertainment.com, the Fox Theatre and Joe Louis Arena box offices, Hockeytown Authentics in Troy (without service charge), at all Ticketmaster locations, Ticketmaster.com and at the City Theatre box office, located inside Hockeytown Cafe. To charge tickets by phone, call 1-800-745-3000. For additional information, call (313) 471-6611.

"To have been a part of this wonderful homage to an extraordinary and beloved man has been one of the most gratifying experiences of my career", said Albom who penned the script. "From the actors and director to the designers, crew and staff of Hockeytown and the City Theatre, the "Ernie" team did our best every day to give fans the real Ernie Harwell to remember. So when we saw it was possible to bring the show back next season, we jumped at the chance."

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 this past April to coincide with the Tigers baseball season for fans to once again enjoy the "Voice of Summer".

The show's popularity was extraordinary and due to high demand, was extended twice and will end its initial run on August 21st. The show re-opens on June 1, 2012, although the schedule could expand if demand dictates.

"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.

2012 "Ernie":
June:
Friday, June 1 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 2 8 p.m.
Friday, June 8 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 9 8 p.m.
Friday, June 15 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 16 8 p.m.
Friday, June 22 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 23 8 p.m.
Friday, June 29 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 30 8 p.m.

July
Friday, July 6 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 7 8 p.m.
Friday, July 13 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 14 8 p.m.
Friday, July 20 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 21 8 p.m.
Friday, July 27 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 28 8 p.m.