Magic/Bird: Kevin Daniels to play Earvin "Magic" Johnson

Kevin Daniels is to star in Eric Simonson's new play Magic/Bird, which chronicles the intertwined life stories of basketball Hall of Famers 'Larry Bird' and 'Earvin "Magic" Johnson.'

Directed by Tony nominee Thomas Kail (In the Heights) Daniels will star as 'Earvin "Magic" Johnson,' alongside the previously announced Tug Coker as 'Larry Bird'.

Magic/Bird: Two of the greatest basketball players of all-time battled for three championships, bragging rights, and the future of their sport in the 1980s. Johnson and Bird electrified the nation on the court, reinvigorated the NBA, and turned their rivalry into one of the greatest and most famous friendships in professional sports.

Daniels, who is 6'5,' played high school basketball before turning his sights to acting which brought him to the Julliard School, NYC at the age of 17. After graduation Daniels made his Broadway debut at the Lincoln Center, NYC in Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night.' Film credits: Daniels played Firefighter "Don Miller" in Touchstone Pictures "Ladder 49," and starred in "And Then Came Love" with Vanessa Williams. He can currently be seen as "Longinus" on the ABC comedy "Modern Family".

"I am honored to be playing Earvin "Magic" Johnson and am excited to dig in and deliver." said Kevin Daniels."

Magic said, "Kevin Daniels is a great choice to play me and I look forward to his electric performance on the stage."

The play, with a six character cast, is expected to open on roadway on 21 Mar 2012, following previews from 27 Feb 2012. Further casting and the show's creative team are still to be announced.

Magic/Bird will be produced in association with the National Basketball Association and Johnson and Bird themselves will participate in the creative process of this completely original play."

The play is being produced on Broadway by Fran Kirmser and Tony Ponturo, who last season presented the Broadway premiere of Simonson's 'Lombardi,' which told the story of the Football Coach Vince Lombardi.