ANNA MARIA – If you follow the trials and tribulations of Hollywood celebrities, you know that some of them just can’t keep out of trouble. It seems that all the excesses that come with being a star often lead them to ruin. That’s what happened to the lead character in “And the Winner is…” Only he tangles with death instead of the law.

The Island Players’ production, written by award-winning journalist and author Mitch Albom, shows what can happen when one’s ego takes charge.

The play begins in a staging area between life and death and director James Thaggard made good use of a new prop - a revolving door.

In the first scene, actor Tyler Johnes, played convincingly by Tal Reeve, comes out through that door and lands on the ground. He obviously tied one on the night before and thinks he is the victim of a hangover.

Seamus, played with authority by Jim Faltot, is the gatekeeper of this spot and every time Johnes swears, Seamus hits a clicker that acts like a Taser, making Johnes writhe in pain. In between the painful punishment, Johnes talks about getting ready for the Oscars that night and it doesn’t sink in to him that he’s dead. He’s up for best supporting actor. As he talks with Seamus, his potty mouth makes him spend a lot of time on the floor in pain.

The beauty of the Island Players Theatre is the number of areas where dialog can be delivered. As Johnes talks about all the women he has loved, his wife appears to the side. Her name is Sheri, and Pamela Hopkins shines as she tries to reason with him. They are separated, but she is reticent to give him the divorce papers to sign.

Let’s talk accents. Herb Stump came up with a French accent as agent Teddy LaPetite that was unique and understandable. He brought great comic relief to this comedy/drama.

Let’s talk clash of the egos. Michael Eddy is great as Kyle Morgan, an actor who is up for an Oscar for best supporting actor in the same film as Johnes. Then there is Serenity, a beauty who bounces back and forth between boyfriends. Jennifer Eddy, the real life wife of Michael Eddy, is great as a somewhat ditzy blonde, a roll she plays well, as she has in previous plays.

All of these characters end up in the staging area because it seems the shellfish at the restaurant they all ate at the night before was bad. After a round of dialogue, Seamus agrees to let them all go back to Hollywood to attend the Oscar awards ceremony.

The second act begins at the Oscar awards with Tony, played by Mitcheal Pearl, and Emmy, played by Kristina Klein, acting as emcees. They were elegant.

Johnes’ death left many loose ends, and there are plenty of laughs as the characters enjoy what might be their last night on earth. There were some tears, too, as the stars tried to put some closure on their personal lives.

One note: the reason all these characters ended up in the staging area instead of heaven or the other place is because they never said a well-known child’s prayer, which would lead them into heaven without waiting.

It’s a well-written play with a lot of thought from the man who wrote “Tuesdays with Morrie.”

If you don’t see “And the Winner is…” the loss will be yours.