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
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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.
More this weekend
