By Lauren Yarger
Eric Simonson, whose play Lombardi was a critical success on Broadway last season, has gone to the bench and tossed out another sports-related play, Magic/Bird, about the 1980s basketball rivalry between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird and with it, the playwright hits a three-pointer: good story, interesting characters and great production.
Kevin Daniels portrays the garrulous, fast-living, ego-driven Earvin “Magic Johnson” who led the Los Angeles Lakers to prominence in the National Basketball Association; Tug Coker is the shy, gangly man-of-few-words Bird who led the Boston Celtics. The story starts with Johnson’s career-ending announcement that he has contracted the HIV virus, than rewinds to depict how the men, drafted as rookies in 1979, came to be rivals on the court, and unexpected friends off.
A terrific ensemble cast, directed in a detailed full-court vision from Thomas Kail (who also directed Lombardi), plays multiple characters interacting with the athletic stars over the years. Deirdre O’Connell, in four different roles, shines as Bird’s mother, who invites Magic over for dinner at the family's Indiana farm near where the competitors are shooting a commercial for Converse. There, the men discover that they aren’t so different and the sparks of a friendship ignite a lifelong friendship that continues despite repeated confrontations on the court for the basketball champiobnship.
Francois Battiste and Robert Manning, Jr. turn in 12 other characters between them (Battiste’s Bryant Gumbel is a hoot). Tearing up the court, though, is Peter Scolari playing five distinctly different characters (what a pleasure it is to see this talented actor allowed to show his range). Among his roles he plays both Lakers Coach Pat Riley (who introduces Magic to life at the Playboy Mansion) and Red Auerbach who helmed the Celtics.
The story (90 minutes, no intermission) is well written, engaging and entertaining. Sets (designed by David Korins) lighted by Howell Binkley with sound by Nevin Steinberg serve as a backdrop for the action with video clips (Jeff Sugg, media design) sometimes showing the real thing. One scene, where Coker freezes in midshot to have the backdrop rotate out to take us to the video of the real star making the point is a great example of technical team play. Even non basketball fans, or those too young to remember the rivalry and that Converse commercial, will enjoy this production. (Paul Tazewell’s costumes complete the picture). Interestingly, there seemed to be a disproportionate number of tall men in the audience . . .
Magic/Bird plays at the Longacre Theatre, 220 West 48th St., NYC. Discounted tickets are available by clicking here.
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