February 8, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) -- Showtime is about to have a whole new meaning for Magic Johnson.

The story of the NBA Hall of Famer's rivalry and friendship with Larry Bird is coming to Broadway in "Magic/Bird," set to open in April. The two consulted in its production, and Johnson can't wait to watch their story told.

His "Showtime" Lakers of the 1980s were a Hollywood hit, and now he's ready to see his name in Broadway's lights.

Johnson says "I guess it's the real Showtime."

It's the second in a planned series of sports-themed plays from producers Tony Ponturo and Fran Kirmser, the team behind "Lombardi." Kirmser says they wanted to tell the story of Johnson and Bird, who started as rivals in college and ended up as Olympic teammates and longtime friends.