Magic Johnson and Larry Bird Headed to Broadway
Fans who attend sporting events are quite different than those who attend Broadway musicals. In fact, most die-hard sports fans probably wouldn’t step foot on Broadway unless dragged there by their better halves.
However, that may soon change.
The creators of Lombardi, a Broadway play which pays tribute to one of the greatest coaching legends of all time, are once again bringing the two together.
This April, Magic/Bird will open on Broadway, telling the story of the rivalry-turned-friendship of two of the all-time greats, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
The rivalry between the two stars began in when they were in college, when Johnson’s Michigan State squad defeated Bird and his Indiana State teammates in the 1979 NCAA championship game.
Their on-the-court rivalry continued throughout their professional careers, as both became superstars in the League, with Magic’s Lakers and Bird’s Celtics meeting up 3 different times in the NBA Finals.
Despite their differences, Magic was always flashy and larger than life while Bird was quiet and reserved, the rivalry eventually turned into a lifelong friendship. As two of the all-time greats, the longtime opponents eventually became teammates. Both Bird and Johnson were members of the USA’s original “Dream Team,” together winning a gold medal at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.
Thirty years later, the two remain close, life-long friends.
When asked about his friendship with Bird, Magic proudly said, “Just think about sports. How many guys can be linked to each other and still be champions, competitors, then walk away being friends? It’s hard to find that.”
Both Bird and Johnson played a large role in the show’s creation, consulting with the show’s producers to make sure that every aspect was accurately portrayed.
It opens on Broadway on April 11.
Again, though sports fans aren’t your typcial Broadway fans, many of them grew up watching the NBA and can appreciate the role that this legendary duo played in making it what it is today. Magic/Bird will pay tribute to these two legends as well as the mutual respect and friendship that was created along the way.
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