'Magic/Bird' snags Longacre

Incoming basketball bio play "Miracle/Bird" has slam-dunked its just right Broadway, nabbing the Longacre Theater to have an April opening. Production also offers arranged a cast which includes Peter Scolari, Off Broadway vet Deirdre O'Connell, Take advantage of Ray Manning Junior. and Francois Battiste, showing up alongside formerly introduced topliners Kevin Daniels and Tug Coker. "Miracle/Bird" pounces around the Rialto vacancy left by "Chinglish," whose producers introduced its closing the 2009 week. Show verifies its slot inside a new play selection this year which includes "Seminar," "Venus in Fur," "Stick Fly," "The Mountaintop" and approaching excursions "The Writer" and "One Guy, Two Guvnors." Story of "Miracle/Bird" follows the hoops competition of Miracle Manley and Ray Bird, having a script developed from interviews using the two gamers. Show may be the second sports-centric stage outing from producers Fran Kirmser and Tony Ponturo, who mounted pigskin play "Lombardi" last season. "Miracle/Bird" reunites the creative team of this show, including author Eric Simonson and helmer Thomas Kail ("Within the Levels"). "Miracle/Bird" starts previews March 21 in front of an April 11 opening in the Longacre. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com