Some theatrical heavyweights have signed an open letter in defense of a playwright accused of plagiarism for parodying a 1970s TV sitcom.

Stephen Sondheim, Tony Kushner, and Terrence McNally are among the authors, actors, and producers who are defending David Adjmi and his play “3-C”. A law firm claims that the play about a man and two women who become roommates infringes on the copyright of the the series “Three’s Company” that starred John Ritter. A stage version of the Seventies sitcom is being proposed.

The open letter says Adjmi’s play is a “clearly and patently an unremitting parody” and accused the lawyers of “bullying.” It goes on to say, “opposition must begin first and foremost with all of us in the New York Theatre community.”

There has been no response from the law firm.