Billy Crystal’s fans will be happy to know that the beloved comic actor has a new Broadway show titled 860 that ranks as one of his most ambitious projects. Crystal pours his heart and his soul into the performance he puts on, just being himself, in this moving show that will inspire its viewers, and ultimately bring tears to the audience’s eyes.
Scott Ellis directs Crystal in this wonderfully conceived one-man play that sheds light on the way Crystal dealt with some very difficult circumstances that affected him in January, 2025. Crystal’s home in the Pacfiic Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles burned down, and Crystal and his family lost some prized possessions that the comic had hoped he would have been able to hold on to forever.
Starting with television before working his way into film, Crystal had a lot of different ways his career could have gone, and the hard-working star found his passion through becoming a performer, one who brought smiles to anyone who watched him, whether it be in a show, a movie or on stage.
860 will be the most prized and fabulous work of Crystal’s entire career because the comic lets himself entertain simply by being his brilliant and entertaining self.
Humorous moments at the beginning of the play are amongst some of the best in the entire show. Crystal recounts his days as a struggling comic/substitute teacher who once appeared as an opening act at a Blood, Sweat & Tears show. This makes for the most flat-out hilarious scene of the play as Crystal talks about how he engaged the audience while a member of the famous music group put up a fight behind the stage, refusing to perform for the live audience.
In this production, Crystal also talks about his daughters, and how he and the love of his life, his wife, found their happiness through living in the home that ultimately burned down.
Comic Relief becomes another highlight of the comic’s past that Crystal talks about in the show. That was the event where Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg and Robin Williams raised money for those who needed it, and that was just one of the great things Crystal did to give back to the community at large.
Some of the most profound scenes in 860 come from Crystal’s memories of his friends who he lost throughout the years. Muhammad Ali, Robin Williams and Rob Reiner all made a profound impact on Crystal’s life, and it’s beautiful to see the way the memories of these famous people can live on through Crystal remembering those sincere moments that were so very special to him.
A very special scene has Crystal recalling a bird that was sitting outside his home, and that’s all that can be said about that scenario because you have to see how very unique that bird turned out to be. It’s a tear-inspiring moment, to be certain. It’s one of many here in this heartfelt show.
Crystal wisely avoids turning the unfortunate recent situation that occurred into simply a devastating tragedy. He found a garden stone that said, “Laughter,” on it that survived the debris, and the comic believes there was a reason for that. See the show to find out more!
Comedy drove the life of Billy Crystal, almost always. This show goes into detail about a scene in the great 1989 film, When Harry Met Sally, that wasn’t in the original script, and how it came to be. Tidbits like that are so fun to enjoy in a production that is likely to have one smiling, crying and cheering at appropriate moments throughout.
Crystal briefly talks about moments with baseball legend, Mickey Mantle, in this show, and so many moments in the production recall memories of the past that anyone who watched television over the past several decades should fondly recall.
This play’s title refers to the address that is 860 Chautauqua Boulevard, which is the home Crystal lived in until it burnt down, and sent him and his wife to live with his daughter. Every fond moment that Crystal recalls will surely leave a unique stamp on the audience.
860 is the type of show that just makes sense. It comes just at the right time in the actor’s life. He is now 78 years-old, and he is at a point where he can piece together his life’s high and low moments, and make it all make sense. That’s exactly what Crystal does with this show.
It’s hard to write a review like this without mentioning the adoration that almost every fan of Crystal’s must have for him. Crystal is one of the few artists people simply could not dislike, for he put so much of himself into every major role he played, especially in the parts he took on in the movies. He has always been so very likable, and that fact pulls through in this production.
Finally, anyone who remembers the times Billy Crystal hosted the Oscars will get true enjoyment out of one particular scene in this fabulous show. If one fondly remembers those Academy Award ceremonies and how Crystal made everyone laugh so hard, this is certainly the play for you. It’s simply a must-see.
860 is now playing on Broadway in New York City at the Imperial Theatre.
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Thomas Duffy
Thomas Duffy is a Critics Choice member who has written film reviews for most of his life, starting at age 11 when he crafted his first full length movie critique on the film, "Roxanne," a Cyrano story featuring Steve Martin. As a result of that review and other movie obsessive writing, Thomas was awarded a creative writing award in sixth grade. Thomas is the proud author of nine books, including two highly acclaimed novels, "To Never Know" and "Social Work." Thomas can be found on X (formerly known as Twitter) or at a New York City movie theater watching the latest hit or independent movie. You can also run into him at Tribeca or at the New York Film Festival.