And the Winner Is

by Mitch Albom

THE STORY: AND THE WINNER IS tells the comic story of Tyler Johnes, a self-obsessed movie star, who is finally nominated for an Oscar, then dies the night before the awards. Outraged at his bad luck and determined to know if he wins (even though he's dead), he bargains with a heavenly gatekeeper to return to earth for the big night. Along the way, he drags his agent, his acting rival, his bombshell girlfriend and his ex-wife into the journey, in a wildly twisting tale of Hollywood, the afterlife, and how we are judged.

Genres: Plays, Fiction, Self Help

43 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2007

About the author

Author, screenwriter, philanthropist, journalist, and broadcaster Mitch Albom is an inspiration around the world. His fiction and non-fiction books — which include 8 #1 New York Times bestsellers — have collectively sold 42 million copies worldwide in 48 languages. TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE, the bestselling memoir of all time, topped the list for four straight years and celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2022. He has also written Emmy Award-winning TV films, stage plays, screenplays, a nationally syndicated newspaper column, and a musical. Through his work at the Detroit Free Press, he was inducted into both the National Sports Media Association and Michigan Sports halls of fame and was the recipient of the Red Smith Award for lifetime achievement.

Following his bestselling memoir FINDING CHIKA and HUMAN TOUCH, a web and audio weekly serial that raised funds for pandemic relief, he returned to fiction with the bestselling novels THE STRANGER IN THE LIFEBOAT and THE LITTLE LIAR. His much-anticipated new novel is a stunning love story about magical second chances called TWICE, which dares to explore how our unchecked desires might mean losing what we’ve had all along.

Albom spends the majority of his time in philanthropic work. In 2006, he founded the nonprofit SAY Detroit, which provides pathways to success for Detroiters in need through major health, housing and education initiatives. All profits from an original dessert shop and a gourmet popcorn line also help fund the nonprofit. He operates Have Faith Haiti, a home and school for impoverished children and orphans, in Port-au-Prince, which he visits monthly. He lives with his wife, Janine, in Michigan.

Reviews

[Rose Vaughan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is actually a play script, which I'm not sure I realized when I bought it. It was an interesting read, since it had all the moves and sound effects included in the lines. The overall storyline was short with a slight twist at the end. There's a lesson behind it all, of course. I suppose I'm glad I read it but I don't seem to be a big play script fan.

[Toni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to read this because it is by one of my favorite authors and the description of the story was ready interesting. I don't remember the last time I read a play, it had to have been in high school... Either way it was very enjoyable, fun and as always, had a powerful message. I want to get my hands on the play now!

[Deborah J Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Mitch Albom. I did not realise this was a play when I bought this, but thoroughly enjoyed reading it. There are little pearls of wisdom in this and it's well worth reading again.

[Lora · Rating 4 out of 5]

My friend who heads up the script committee I'm on gave me this play to 1) read and review as to whether we should do it, and 2) consider directing it if it makes it through script committee and the board. It would be the first show I've ever directed.

This is the second Mitch Albom play I've read, the other being Duck Hunter Shoots Angel. Duck Hunter was wildly imaginative, well-written, funny and heartwarming. I'm not sure this is quite at Duck Hunter levels, but it's close. The dialogue is well-written, the ending provides a nice resolution and some real redemption, and there are some very funny lines and situations. There are a couple moments where two of the actors dress up as stripper cops and do their poses, and another fantastically overacted scene where they're re-enacting their movie roles as grievously wounded civil war soldiers and keep trying to top each other. Get the right actors in those roles and they will go to town.

I'd agree with another reviewer that it'd be nice to see Tyler's transformation into total fame-whore -- if I remember right, I think that was handled a little better in Duck Hunter. But at the same time, it's pretty easy to infer how it happened, and for our purposes, it's nice that he kept it short because we were looking for something to pair with a one-act play.

I told my friend I'd be willing to direct it. Whew. Big step.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable play. It's not quite the "It's a Wonderful Life" story that it was billed as in the catalog, but the humor is funny, the ending touching, and the characters all rather fun.

There do seem to be some loose ends and some missed story-thread-opportunities. Specifically, there seems to be such an emphasis on the shock-treatment every time the dead use the lord's name in vain, that it stops being funny and feels like a set-up for something ... something that never comes about.

Also the back story on Taylor Johnes scratches the surface only enough to make us want to understand him a little better. What took him, really, from and artist to a money-hungry actor? Why did he really abandon his wife?

Over-all, funny, and I'd like to see it staged. Too bad the women's parts are really rather weak.

[Fatmas · Rating 3 out of 5]

C

[Maggie Mattmiller · Rating 2 out of 5]

His books are definitely better, but I'm glad I read this. Maybe had it been longer...