Commissioned by Ponturo and conceived by Kirmser, who also produced Simonson's sports dramas Lombardi and Magic/Bird, the play will begin previews Jan. 10, 2014, towards a Feb. 6, 2014, opening night. Circle in the Square was also home to Lombardi. Simonson directs his play.
Read Off-Broadway reviews for the production here.
For the Broadway production, husband and wife actors Peter Scolari and Tracy Shayne will take on the roles of Yogi and Carmen Berra. The Off-Broadway premiere featured Richard Topol and Wendy Makkena in the respective roles. (Emmy winner Joe Pantoliano was originally announced to star as Berra Off-Broadway, but departed the company during rehearsals.)
"We are excited to bring the legacy of The New York Yankees and their proud tradition to the equally proud tradition of the Broadway theatre," Kirmser said in a statement. "Generations of Yankees fans have been part of the winning tradition since their early childhood. Their emotional commitment and passion will be fully realized as they experience this play and sit with the players who forged that history," Ponturo added. Read Playbill.com's recent feature on the play here.
Emmy nominee Scolari (Lucky Guy, Sly Fox, "Newhart") and Shayne (Chicago, A Chorus Line) join original Off-Broadway cast members C.J. Wilson (Happy Now?) as Babe Ruth, Christopher Jackson (In the Heights) as Derek Jeter, Francois Battiste (Magic/Bird) as Jackson/Elston Howard, Chris Henry Coffey (Water by the Spoonful) as Joe DiMaggio, Bill Dawes (Lombardi) as Mickey Mantle/Thurman Munson, Keith Nobbs (Lombardi) as Billy Martin and John Wernke (The Lyons) as Lou Gehrig.
The production also features scenic design by Beowulf Borritt, costumes by David C. Woolard, lighting design by Jason Lyons and original music and sound by Lindsay Jones.
Here's how it's billed: "Ruth. Berra. Mantle. DiMaggio. Gehrig. Jeter. The New York Yankees have never had a shortage of star players… or controversy. Bronx Bombers is a new American play from the team behind Broadway's Lombardi that follows beloved icon Yogi Berra and his wife Carmen through a century of the team's trials and triumphs, bringing generations of Yankee greats together on one stage. As it celebrates and explores the timeless legacy of baseball’s most iconic team, Bronx Bombers takes a fascinating look at how and why the Yankees have remained so undeniably great… and so powerfully inspirational."
Tickets are now on sale via Telecharge.com.
