MAGIC/BIRD to Play Longacre Theatre on Broadway

Producers Fran Kirmser and Tony Ponturo announced today that MAGIC/BIRD will open Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at the Longacre Theatre, 200 West 48th Street, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue, NYC. Previews will begin Wednesday, March 21, 2012. Joining actors Kevin Daniels as Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Tug Coker as Larry Bird, will be 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.

As previously announced this new play reunites Lombardi’s playwright Eric Simonson and director Thomas Kail and creative team: David Korins (Set), Howell Binkley (Lighting), Paul Tazewell (Costumes), Nevin Steinberg (Sound). Wendall K Harrington (Projections) will weave historic NBA film footage throughout the play.

MAGIC BIRD, directed by Tony Nominee Thomas Kail (Lombardi, In The Heights) will reunite with Lombardi playwright and 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. The creative team is David Korins (Set), Howell Binkley (Lighting), Paul Tazwell (Costumes), Nevin Steinberg (Sound) and Wendall K. Harrington (Projections), who will weave 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. The play, with a six actor cast, will premiere at a Broadway Theater TBA in Spring 2012.

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.

For more information, visit www.magicbirdbroadway.com.