Magic/Bird 2012 - Articles Page 1.8

Run Time:
90 minutes (no intermission)
Opened: April 11, 2012
Closing: May 12, 2012

Magic/Bird - 2012 - Broadway History , Info & More

At the heart of one of the fiercest rivalries in sports, two of the greatest athletes of all-time battled for multiple championships and the future of their sport. Hall of Famers Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Larry Bird could not have been more different; one black, one white; one an urbanite with a big smile and Hollywood appeal, and the other a quiet small town guy. Johnson and Bird, went head to head, electrified the nation, reinvigorated the NBA, and turned their rivalry into the greatest and most famous friendships in professional sports. With classic NBA footage prominently designed throughout, Magic/Bird transports the audience into the heart of their matchup. From Draft to Olympic Dream Team, the show has a six member cast.

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PREVIEW Magic/Bird - 2012 - Broadway

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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Magic/Bird

Magic/Bird
6 / 10

Gleaming with busy video backdrops and stadium kliegs, Thomas Kail’s production is light, speedy and gamely acted by the spunky ensemble. Kevin Daniels and Tug Coker were obviously cast for extreme verticality, but they also acquit themselves with humor and grace. Slipping in and out of a variety of supporting roles, Peter Scolari and the wonderful Deirdre O’Connell add emotional ballast to the whoosh of statistics and ESPN-friendly trivia. If the total package is less effective drama than “Lombardi” (the creative team’s previous foray into sports history), it’s an affable and warmhearted diversion.

Magic/Bird
8 / 10

Lacking an actual basketball game on an actual basketball court, Eric Simonson's 'Magic/Bird' has zip drama. But techno-savvy designers make terrific use of classic NBA footage, and the actors playing Magic and Bird are cute enough to carry it off. Basketball fans are the obvious target aud, but their dates should have a good time, too.

UP ON THE MARQUEE: MAGIC/BIRD!
by Up On The Marquee - February 20, 2012


MAGIC/BIRD, a new play from the team that brought you LOMBARDI on Broadway, will play the Longacre Theater beginning Wednesday, March 21, 2012 in anticipation of an April 11, 2012 opening night. Tickets now on sale to the general public by phone 212-239-6200 or online at www.telecharge.com.

MAGIC/BIRD Tickets Now on Sale; Performance Schedule Announced
by Jessica Lewis - February 1, 2012


MAGIC/BIRD, a new play from the team that brought you LOMBARDI on Broadway, will play the Longacre Theater beginning Wednesday, March 21, 2012 in anticipation of an April 11, 2012 opening night. Tickets now on sale to the general public by phone 212-239-6200 or online at www.telecharge.com.

MAGIC/BIRD to Play Longacre Theatre on Broadway
by Robert Diamond - January 17, 2012


Producers of MAGIC/BIRD have announced that the show will play Broadway's Longacre Theater, with previews beginning March 21 and an opening set for April 11 reports the New York Times.

Broadway's MAGIC BIRD Finds Its 'Magic'; Kevin Daniels Leads Cast
by Jessica Lewis - December 20, 2011


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.

STAGE TUBE: Thomas Kail, Fran Kirmser and Tony Ponturo Talk MAGIC/BIRD
by Nicole Rosky - December 13, 2011


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!

Tug Coker Set to Lead Broadway's MAGIC/BIRD
by Nicole Rosky - December 8, 2011


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.

Thomas Kail-Helmed MAGIC/BIRD to Begin Previews on Broadway Feb. 27
by Jessica Lewis - October 28, 2011


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.

Twitter Watch: Magic Johnson- 'So excited for Magic/Bird!'
by BWW - September 22, 2011


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. '

Thomas Kail to Direct MAGIC/BIRD; Creative Team Announced
by Robert Diamond - September 20, 2011


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.

MAGIC/BIRD Launches Website
by Kelsey Denette - June 2, 2011


The website for the upcoming Broadway play, MAGIC/BIRD, produced by Fran Kirmser and Tony Ponturo (Lombardi), is now online. A new play by Oscar winner 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.

First the NFL, Now the NBA Is Headed to Broadway with MAGIC/BIRD in 2012
by Robert Diamond - February 17, 2011


While the NBA All-Star Weekend unfolds in Los Angeles, it was announced today that Fran Kirmser and Tony Ponturo, the Producers of Lombardi (currently running on Broadway at Circle in the Square Theatre) are embarking on their next Broadway collaboration, MAGIC/BIRD.

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