Magic Johnson Talks MAGIC/BIRD on Broadway, SPIDER-MAN, & More

Speaking to Vanity Fair, NBA star and activist Magic Johnson spoke about the play based on his friendship and rivalry with Larry Bird, heading to the Great White Way in 2012. He compared it to the much talked-about SPIDER-MAN, TURN OFF THE DARK, and discussed possible moments that would appear in the show.

The new play by Oscar winner, Steppenwolf Theater Company member, and Lombardi playwright Eric Simonson, MAGIC/BIRD chronicles 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.

Johnson says that "[Simonson]'s starting to work on our script, so I met with him today for a few hours so he could listen to my voice and get it right. I also told him stories about Larry and I, about our friendship and playing against each other." 

And how does a story like that translate for the stage? Johnson discussed what moments would be necessary for the storyline: "Well, one scene that has to go in there is when Larry and I really started talking. We were fierce competitors, but the first time we shot a commercial together, back in 1984, I went to his hometown of French Lick, Indiana. We're down there, doing a commercial for Converse, and he invites me to his trailer for lunch. We start talking, and he tells me about his life and his upbringing and everything else. That day was the breakthrough for us becoming friends. That's when I really understood who Larry Bird was as a man, not just as a basketball player. And the same thing for him. He knew who Earvin Johnson was."

"We want to make it fun. That's what we keep stressing. We want it to be fun and exciting, even if you didn't watch the original games." This, he suggested, is where MAGIC/BIRD would differ from SPIDER-MAN: "I don't want anybody flying through the air and getting hurt like in the Spider-Man play. And when I heard about how much that show has cost already, which I think is about $55 million, I was like, 'Whoooa!' We have to learn from their mistakes. I hope the Magic/Larry play comes in under budget and nobody gets hurt and everybody has some fun."

No casting has been announced for MAGIC/BIRD, and although Johnson has his favorites, he's not telling. "I'm going to leave that up to the producers, because they know the acting side of it. I have some favorite actors, but that doesn't mean they can handle the role. The people involved in this show know Broadway, and they know which actors do certain things well. It's not just about looking like me; they also have to do the singing and the acting and everything else."