'Magic/Bird' snags Longacre

Incoming basketball bio play "Miracle/Bird" has slam-dunked its perfect Broadway, nabbing the Longacre Theater with an April opening. Production also provides arranged a cast including Peter Scolari, Off Broadway vet Deirdre O'Connell, Make the most of Ray Manning Junior. and Francois Battiste, turning up alongside formerly introduced topliners Kevin Daniels and Tug Coker. "Miracle/Bird" pounces round the Rialto vacancy left by "Chinglish," whose producers introduced its closing this year's week. Show certifies its slot in the new play selection this season including "Seminar," "Venus in Fur," "Stick Fly," "The Mountaintop" and approaching activities "The Author" and "One Guy, Two Guvnors." Story of "Miracle/Bird" follows the hoops competition of Miracle Manley and Ray Bird, getting a script developed from interviews while using two players. Show might be the 2nd 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 the show, including author Eric Simonson and helmer Thomas Kail ("Inside the Levels"). "Miracle/Bird" begins previews March 21 before an April 11 opening within the Longacre. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com