Photo Source: Joan Marcus
"Magic/Bird" centers on the intense rivalry and unexpected friendship between the legendary athletes, who are credited with saving a faltering National Basketball Association (NBA) in the '80s. Johnson, an L.A. Laker, is a gregarious African-American with Hollywood charm to spare, while Bird, a Boston Celtic, is an awkward, non-verbal, white rural kid. Magic made international news when he was diagnosed with HIV in 1991. Despite their adversarial relationship Bird became Magic's true pal and support.
Both athletes served as consultants on the script and will be at the Longacre Theatre on opening night, April 11. Daniels and Coker know they're facing the acting challenges of a lifetime. Nonetheless, they're affable and easy going as they talk about their journeys.
Back Stage: How did you get these roles?
Tug Coker: My agent said they were looking for actors for this play. So I flew back from L.A. and auditioned for [director] Thomas Kail. I always thought they'd find a big, blond kid from Wisconsin and pluck him right off the farm. I felt no pressure. When you feel no pressure you let it rip. After the callback they asked me to wait outside. Ten minutes later [casting director] Will Cantler [of Telsey + Company] came out and hugged me. No casting director hugs you. A couple of days later I heard the good news.
Kevin Daniels: I was in L.A. when my agent told me to put myself on tape for a basketball play. I did three scenes, including one where I played Magic. But it never occurred to me I'd be cast as Magic. I heard that role had already been cast. I sent the tape in, got called to New York, read for the role of Magic, got a callback, and then flew back to L.A. The next day, my manager called to say I got the part. It was my birthday.
Back Stage: Was basketball part of your life?
Daniels: I focused on theater as opposed to sports. But my dad and my friends played basketball and Magic was part of my life, part of my family. When he made his announcement that he was HIV positive it was devastating.
Coker: I played basketball and I was huge basketball—and sports—fan. Although I grew up in Virginia, my dad was from Boston and a Celtics fan. Larry was a big part of my universe. I loved Larry and had animosity for Magic. He was a Laker.
Back Stage: What was it like to meet with Larry and Magic?
Coker: I talked with Larry twice on the phone and it was an out-of-body experience to talk with a guy you've revered your whole life. He was very nice, helpful, and answered my questions about his relationships with "Red" Auerbach, his mother, and Magic.
Daniels: I went to Magic's office in Beverly Hills and was struck by how absolutely genuine he is. He is honest, loyal, trustworthy, funny, gregarious, and driven. There were no questions that were off-limits—from his preparations as an athlete to his relationship with Larry. To this day, he talks about how Larry's friendship has touched him. I also realized that being an athlete is very much like being an actor. Theater and sports are connected. You've got your team—or ensemble—your goal and your determination to win.
Back Stage: What new insights do you hope to bring to Larry and Magic?
Daniels: I don't know that I can. He's such a complex, fascinating icon. I approach him as I would any other character, though he's a real person. I studied clips and I listened to how he talked at different times—with the press, with friends. I'm not an impressionist, but the big thing for me was capturing Magic's vowel sounds. I also studied the clips of his basketball moves and tried to feel him in my body;the way he walks from side to side. My goal is to do an honest performance.
Coker: I'm bringing my lens into Larry's world. All I can do is interpret that information through my filter. I listened to interviews and watched him on YouTube. Larry's dialect is a southern, Appalachian, Midwestern mix. I had a feel for the sound and we also had a dialect coach. I studied his movements when he was on the court and felt he owned the place and then when he was off the court. I tried to capture that during the rehearsal period.
Back Stage: How do you prepare for these roles on a daily basis?
Coker: I go to the basketball court every day.
Daniels: Our nightmare is that a basketball will go into the audience.
Back Stage: Or you'll miss a shot?
Coker: We're shooting high probability shots.
Daniels: My preparation takes me an hour and a half. It's a marathon on stage.
Coker: There are 44 rapid scene changes while we're rapidly changing costumes, wigs, and shoes and then we're running from wing to wing.
Back Stage: What's the take away from playing Larry and Magic?
Coker: His sense of loyalty. I'm also blown away by his work ethic. Larry maximized his potential. He did everything he could within his control and didn't worry about what he couldn't control. I aspire to that.
Daniels: Magic had tragedies in his life, but he's had a positive outlook and the power of belief. There was no goal that he set himself that he didn't match.
Back Stage: What do you hope Larry and Magic feel on opening night?
Coker: I hope they enjoy the show and feel that we've played them authentically. I hope Larry sees me make all my shots.
Daniels: I hope they take away the beauty of live theater.
"Magic/Bird" is playing at the Longacre Theatre, 200 W. 48th St., NYC. 212-239-6200 www.telecharge.com; www.magicbirdbroadway.com
Outtakes (Kevin Daniels)
—A Juilliard graduate who grew up in Houston, Daniels has performed at Lincoln Center Theatre, the Huntington, Long Wharf Theatre, LA Theatre Works, LA Theatre Center, and South Coast Rep, among others.
—Has guest-starred on "Franklin & Bash," "House," "Brothers and Sisters," "Frasier," and "Law & Order"; and has had a recurring role on "Modern Family."
Outtakes (Tug Coker)
—Coker received his undergraduate degree from The University of Virginia and his MFA from the Institute at Harvard University/American Repertory Theater/Moscow Art Theater.
—He's performed at the American Repertory Theater, Studio Theatre, Vital Theatre Company, and Capital Repertory Theatre.
—Guest starred on "The Office," "Law & Order: SVU," "CSI," "CSI: Miami," "Raising Hope," and "Chuck."
