MAGIC/BIRD Talkback to Feature Dan Lauria and Peter Scolari, 4/18

Fran Kirmser and Tony Ponturo, the producers of the new Broadway play MAGIC/BIRD, announced today that the star of "Lombardi," Dan Lauria, will hold a talkback for ticketholders following the 8pm  performance at the intimate Longacre Theatre (220 West 48th Street) this Wednesday, April 18. Lauria, who portrayed the legendary coach Vince Lombardi in the hit play last year, will be joined on stage by his longtime friend Peter Scolari, who is playing legendary coaches Red Auerbach and Pat Riley in Magic/Bird.  

"We are very proud to be able to have Dan Lauria, who was so amazing in 'Lombardi,' back in New York for this special Wednesday night talkback," the producers said. "His thoughts on the play, alongside  longtime friend and our current 'Coach' Peter Scolari, will make for a very unique event for all the sports fans who have been flocking to see Magic/Bird since our opening last week."

Tickets for the special talkback are as low as $35.00 and are  available at Telecharge.com.  For groups of ten or more call 212-554-3430. 

The talkback with Dan Lauria is the latest in a series of special events that the Magic/Bird production team is bringing to the theater goer. Last Friday Magic Johnson hosted a special matinee talkback to a full house, while a host of retired NBA stars will be on hand for "Legends of Basketball Night" on April 19th, and the United States Olympic Committee will host a special "Olympic Athlete Night" on April 17th.  Other special events will be announced in the coming weeks. 

MAGIC/BIRD, directed by Tony Nominee Thomas Kail (Lombardi, In The Heights) will reunite with Lombardi playwright, Oscar Winner and Emmy Nominee, Eric Simonson on MAGIC/BIRD, a new American Play chronicling the intertwined life stories of two of the most influential figures in sports and pop culture of the past 25 years, basketball Hall of Famers Larry Bird and Earvin "Magic" Johnson. Joining actors Kevin Daniels as Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Tug Coker as Larry Bird, are Deirdre O'Connell as Georgia Bird/Shelly/Patricia Moore, Peter Scolari as Red Auerbach/Jerry Buss/Pat Riley, Rob Ray Manning Jr. as Michael Cooper/Henry Alvarado/Frank, and Francois Battiste as Jon Lennox/Ron Baxter/Willy. The creative team is David Korins (Set), Howell Binkley (Lighting), Paul Tazwell (Costumes), Nevin Steinbert (Sound) and Jeff Sugg (Projections), who weaves historic NBA film footage throughout the play. 

At the heart of one of the fiercest rivalries in sports history, two of the greatest basketball players of all-time battled for three championships, bragging rights, and the future of their sport in the 1980's. Johnson and Bird electrified the nation on the court, reinvigorated the NBA, and turned their rivalry into one of the greatest and most famous friendships in professional sports. 

This is the second original project undertaken by Kirmser and Ponturo. Together they share a common vision of bringing new, original plays to a wide, diverse audience of theatergoers, initially combining the drama of sports and entertainment through Kirmser Ponturo Group. Lombardi and now MAGIC/BIRD are the first two products of that vision.

The Longacre Theatre was built in 1913 by H. H. Frazee, a Producer/Manager who was the owner of the Boston Red Sox's and the individual who sold Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees. He later sold the theater to The Shuberts in 1919. 

For more information visit www.magicbirdbroadway.com.