Lombardi Producers Looking at Bringing a Play about the Yankees to Broadway

[jacobtsf]

The worlds of baseball and Broadway will soon collide, as producers Fran Kirmser and Tony Ponturo today announced the commission of a theatre project inspired by the New York Yankees, to be completed in collaboration with the storied franchise and Major League Baseball.

The as yet untitled project, which will unite two of New York’s most treasured past times, the New York Yankees and the Great White Way, will be the third work in a sports-focused series from Kirmser and Ponturo, whose previous credits include Lombardi and Magic/Bird. It will shine a spotlight on the personalities, triumphs and private moments that have become the true accounts of legends.

“It is a thrill that two iconic American institutions, the Yankees and the Broadway Theater, are joining together,” said Lonn Trost, Chief Operating Officer of the New York Yankees. “The Yankees organization enjoys a rich history that spans two centuries, steeped by time-honored traditions, marked by major milestones, and defined most notably by the success of 27 World Championships. Just as generations of fans have been captivated in their seats at Yankee Stadium, theatergoers will be able to experience the same drama and joy. We look forward to opening our archives to the process and sharing our stories.”

Tim Brosnan, Executive Vice President, Business, Major League Baseball, “We look forward to experiencing Major League Baseball in the theater. With a rich history of success, the New York Yankees have been involved in many of the most memorable moments in sports history and have featured some of the best players and most colorful characters baseball has ever seen. They will be a fascinating subject matter.”
http://broadwayworld.com/article/LOMBARDI-Producers-KirmserPonturo-Announce-Plans-for-a-New-Play-Based-on-the-New-York-Yankees-20121115

[SondheimFan5]

I hope it has heart.
Miles and miles and miles of heart.

[Marianne2]

Why? I didn't see Lombardi, but I saw Magic/Bird. That was awful.

[sabrelady]

Lombardi wasn't bad. It's an interesting Marketing idea. Tailor a play to a demographic- esp one that may not usually go to a play but will get dragged to one by their signif other. A lot of men ( well manly men) will go see a play about the days of Yankee glory and their wives get to go to the theatre!

[eperkins]

It's fine to be a genius of course. But keep that old horse before the cart.

Think this will be a cross between Damn Yankees and Take Me Out?

[PianoMann]

Lombardi was actually very good, carried by two great performances from Judith Light and Dan Lauria. I think the idea of a Yankee play could be a good marketing move as well, certainly more marketable than a play about Vince Lombardi.

[AGermano]

Why? I didn't see Lombardi, but I saw Magic/Bird. That was awful.


Because this is New York and the Yankees are extremely respected and loved by most New Yorkers, regardless of being a sports fan or not. Someone who has never watched a baseball game in their life will recognize (and most of the time support) the Yankees name.
Also, no one cared about Magic/Bird to begin with. This is (clearly) already getting buzz and it's not even a titled project yet.

[wexy]

Derek Jeter travels back in time and parties with Babe Ruth. Jake Gyllenhal plays Jeter and John Goodman reprises his film role as the Babe.