Crystal has spent a career turning grief into timing, and this is the version where the loss is his own address. Ellis directs it as a memory play rather than a stand-up set, which means the jokes land against something heavier than a punchline. If you saw 700 Sundays and have wanted the sequel that only life could write, this is it, and it leaves town in early January.
What to expect
A one-man evening on the Imperial's large musical stage, which makes the intimacy of the storytelling the whole point of the design. Playbill has not posted a running time; solo plays in this vein typically run under two hours. Expect an audience that laughs loudly and goes very quiet in the same minute.
Good to know
- The Imperial is at 249 West 45th Street, a short walk from Times Sq-42 St and 50 St on the 1
- Broadway houses generally go dark Mondays; check the weekly pattern before you commit
- Solo storytelling with adult themes of loss; fine for teenagers, less so for small children
- No rush or lottery policy was listed for this engagement when this was written
- Book aisle seats if you want a quick exit, as the Imperial orchestra rows are long
- Accessible seating and assistive listening are available through the Nederlander box office
Going? Keep it.
Common questions
What does the title mean?
860 is the street number of the Pacific Palisades home Billy Crystal lost to fire; the show is built around what happened inside it.
Is it stand-up or a play?
It is a scripted solo play written by Crystal and directed by Scott Ellis, not a stand-up set, though it is very funny.
