Thomas Kail News

MAGIC BIRD has found its "Magic". Producers of MAGIC BIRD, Fran Kirmser and Tony Ponturo report that the most widely asked question throughout the MAGIC BIRD process has been who is going to play Magic Johnson. On December 9th while the basketball fan learned the details of the newly announced NBA Season, in walked actor Kevin Daniels to the Magic Bird audition room.

Producers Fran Kirmser and Tony Ponturo (Lombardi) will next present MAGIC/BIRD on Broadway, reuniting with Tony-nominated director Thomas Kail (Lombardi, In The Heights) and Lombardi playwright and Oscar winner and Emmy Nominee Eric Simonson. The new play 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. According to an audition notice out today, the production will go into rehearsal on January 23, 2012 and begin previews on February 27. An opening date and theater have yet to be announced. Check out interviews with Kail, Ponturo, and Kirmser below!

Producers of MAGIC BIRD, Fran Kirmser and Tony Ponturo, announced today the title role of Hall of Fame Basketball Player and Celtics Legend Larry Bird will be played by Tug Coker. Tug Coker will be making his Broadway debut with the role of Larry Bird.

Montblanc presented THE 24 HOUR PLAYS ON BROADWAY's 10th anniversary production last night, November 14, 2011. An annual benefit event produced by the 24 Hour Company and Freestyle Picture Company for Urban Arts Partnership, THE 24 HOUR PLAYS ON BROADWAY attracts some of entertainment's biggest names as they join forces to participate in an extreme rite of theater: writing, directing, and performing 6 original short plays, all in just 24 hours. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the after party and brings you photo coverage below!

Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce that individual tickets for IN THE HEIGHTS, winner of four 2008 Tony Awards® and the 2008 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Show Album, will go on sale this Friday, Nov. 11 at 10 am. IN THE HEIGHTS is coming to Chicago's Oriental Theatre from Jan. 10 - 15, 2012.

Producers Fran Kirmser and Tony Ponturo (Lombardi) will next present MAGIC/BIRD on Broadway, reuniting with Tony-nominated director Thomas Kail (Lombardi, In The Heights) and Lombardi playwright and Oscar winner and Emmy Nominee Eric Simonson. The new play 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. According to an audition notice out today, the production will go into rehearsal on January 23, 2012 and begin previews on February 27. An opening date and theater have yet to be announced.

Montblanc announced today that THE 24 HOUR PLAYS ON BROADWAY special 10th anniversary production will be held in New York City on Monday, November 14, 2011. An annual benefit event produced by the 24 Hour Company and Freestyle Picture Company for Urban Arts Partnership, THE 24 HOUR PLAYS ON BROADWAY attracts some of entertainment's biggest names as they join forces to participate in an extreme rite of theater: writing, directing, and performing 6 original short plays, all in just 24 hours. This year's production will feature a special 10th anniversary theme to celebrate the immense success of this partnership and the thousands of students who have benefited from programs made possible by this fundraiser.

IN THE HEIGHTS, winner of four 2008 Tony Awards® and the 2008 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Show Album, is coming to the State Theatre in Easton, PA for one show only, Thursday, October 20 at 7:30 PM.

Exciting, passionate and historical. That's how Michael Balderrama, resident director and choreographer of In The Heights, has described the cast for the Second National Tour of the musical, who started rehearsals in New York last month. A brand new cast has been gathered to bring the award-winning show across the States. 'All of them are fresh, from top to bottom, there's no one who has been on the show before,' Balderrama explains. 'They're young, passionate and excited about being part of ‘In The Heights'. All of them are people who are just inspired by the show'

IN THE HEIGHTS, winner of four 2008 Tony Awards® and the 2008 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Show Album, is coming to the State Theatre in Easton, PA for one show only, Thursday, October 20 at 7:30 PM.

On Twitter Watch, Magic Johnson wrote 'So excited for the Magic/Bird Broadway play! Have some really amazing people involved and it's going to be great. Producers Fran Kirmser and Tony Ponturo (Lombardi) announced today members of their creative team. 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 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 Tazewell (Costumes) and Nevin Steinberg (Sound) and Wendell K. Harrington (Projections), who will weave historic NBA film footage throughout the play. '

The cast of the Second National Tour Of 'In The Heights' started rehearsals this month in New York City, and will kick off in Clemson on October 7th. BroadwayWorld was there to bring you a glimpse of this new tour and some comments from its director, Michael Balderrama!

Producers Fran Kirmser and Tony Ponturo (Lombardi) announced today members of their creative team. 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 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.

Lombardi: A Reading by the Broadway Cast was held in the Lambeau Field Atrium in Green Bay, Wisconsin on July 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m. and will be priced at $45.00. The cast then move to the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center for readings on July 28 at 7:30 p.m. and July 29-30 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets at Fox Cities start at $30. Lombardi: A Reading by the Broadway Cast will go on sale Wednesday, June 22 at 10:00 a.m. and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787 or online at ticketmaster.com. Groups of 10 or more for Fox Cities can order now by calling (920) 730-3786. Tickets are subject to availability, and additional fees may apply. Tickets for the Lambeau Field dates can also be purchased at the Packers Ticker Office, while the Fox Cities P.A.C. engagement can also be purchased in person at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center's ticket office and online at foxcitiespac.com.

Producers Fran Kirmser and Tony Ponturo today announced that they will bring the hit show Lombardi home to Wisconsin for a special series of dramatic readings in July. Direct from their successful Broadway run, members of the original cast of Lombardi will bring the spirit of a legendary coach to life in the Lambeau Field Atrium and the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton. Led by veteran actor Dan Lauria (who originated the role on Broadway), the play by Academy Award winner and Wisconsin native Eric Simonson soars in a staged dramatic reading. Without the costumes and make-up, without the pigskin props and muddy cleats, the legend of Lombardi has the spotlight.

Producers Fran Kirmser and Tony Ponturo today announced that they will bring the hit show Lombardi home to Wisconsin for a special series of dramatic readings in July. Direct from their successful Broadway run, members of the original cast of Lombardi will bring the spirit of a legendary coach to life in the Lambeau Field Atrium and the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton. Led by veteran actor Dan Lauria (who originated the role on Broadway), the play by Academy Award winner and Wisconsin native Eric Simonson soars in a staged dramatic reading. Without the costumes and make-up, without the pigskin props and muddy cleats, the legend of Lombardi has the spotlight.

Producers Fran Kirmser and Tony Ponturo today announced that they will bring the hit show Lombardi home to Wisconsin for a special series of dramatic readings in July.

Broadway's LOMBARDI will play its final performance on Sunday May 22. Here's a look back at scenes from the production which opened on October 21 and will have played a total of 30 previews and 244 regular performances.

Broadway's LOMBARDI will play its final performance on Sunday May 22.

Lincoln Center Theater (under the direction of Andre Bishop, Artistic Director, and Bernard Gersten, Executive Producer) has announced that Liz Baltes, Kate Fry, Drew Gehling, Marc Kudisch and Bobby Steggert will comprise the cast of its upcoming production of A MINISTER'S WIFE, a new musical with book by Austin Pendleton, music by Joshua Schmidt and lyrics by Jan Levy Tranen, based on Candida by George Bernard Shaw. A MINISTER'S WIFE, which was conceived and will be directed by Michael Halberstam, will open on Sunday, May 8 at 6:45pm at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater (150 West 65 Street).