Broadway tipoff for ''Magic-Bird''

Tug Coker, left, and Kevin Daniels play basketball superstars Larry Bird and Earvin ''Magic'' Johnson in the Broadway production of ''Magic-Bird.'' - Photos by: Joan Marcus

As Earvin ''Magic'' Johnson, actor Kevin Daniels strikes an iconic pose from the basketball superstar's years with the Los Angeles Lakers. - Photos by: Joan Marcus

Actor Tug Coker plays basketball icon Larry Bird from college to the end of his pro career in the Broadway play ''Magic-Bird.'' - Photos by: Joan Marcus

Playing Bird's mother, actress Deidre O'Connell (center) referees a meeting between her son (played by Tug Coker, right) and Johnson (Kevin Daniels). - Photos by: Joan Marcus

Stage and screen actor Peter Scolari plays Boston Celtics executive Red Auerbach, among several other roles. - Photos by: Joan Marcus

The epic on-court battles between basketball superstars Earvin ''Magic'' Johnson and Larry Bird are dramatized in the play. - Photos by: Joan Marcus

Larry Bird (played by Tug Coker, left) and Boston Celtics executive Red Auerbach (Peter Scolari) discuss the budding superstar's role in the Celtics' scheme. - Photos by: Joan Marcus

Earvin ''Magic'' Johnson (Kevin Daniels) and chief basketball rival Larry Bird (Tug Coker, right) break bread in the home of Bird's mother (played by Deidre O'Connell.) - Photos by: Joan Marcus

The Longacre Theatre in New York City plays host to the Broadway premiere of ''Magic-Bird.'' - Photos by: Lou Harry

Indiana hoops legend Larry Bird chats with the New York City media at the Broadway debut of ''Magic-Bird.'' - Photos by: Lou Harry

''Magic-Bird'' producers Fran Kirmser (right) and Tony Ponturo arrive at the red-carpet premiere. - Photos by: Lou Harry

Former New York Knicks star John Starks stops at the red-carpet premiere. - Photos by: Lou Harry

Jeffrey Donovan, star of TV's ''Burn Notice,'' heads into the premiere. - Photos by: Lou Harry