Billy Crystal's '860' opens on Broadway to warm but mixed reviews
Billy Crystal's new one-man show, "860," opened on Broadway on Wednesday. The show is named for the address of the Los Angeles home he lost in the 2025 fires. Critics praised his charm and comic timing, but some said the show wanders from story to story.
Billy Crystal's new solo show, "860," officially opened at the Imperial Theatre on Broadway on Wednesday, Playbill reported. It is set to run through Jan. 3, 2027.
The show takes its name from the address of Crystal's longtime home in Pacific Palisades, which burned in the January 2025 wildfire, Vulture reported. Crystal said in an earlier statement that he and his family lived there for 46 years, according to Playbill.
"I invite you to come inside 860 and I'll tell you all the funny and touching things that happened there, not only in my career but to our family," Crystal said in that statement.
The 100-minute show is directed by Scott Ellis, The Guardian reported. Scott Pask's set recreates Crystal's home office, filled with career keepsakes. Crystal tells stories tied to those items, from his start in stand-up to his friendships with Muhammad Ali and Mickey Mantle. Video includes phone footage Crystal shot during and after the fire.
Critics praised Crystal, 78, as a performer. The Guardian's reviewer wrote that there is "likely no such thing as a bad time in Crystal's company." But the reviewer called the play "rambling" and said its structure "stretches any notion of 'plot.'"
Vulture's critic said Crystal "has reached a level of rhythmic precision so refined that he almost doesn't need the words." The review also said the show keeps turning away from grief toward "neat and nicely packaged zingers." It said Crystal touches, without naming it directly, on the death of his close friend Rob Reiner.
Crystal first brought a solo show to Broadway with "700 Sundays" in 2004, which won him a special Tony Award, Playbill reported. That show was about his father, who died when Crystal was 15. Crystal is also a nine-time host of the Academy Awards.
Playbill listed reviews from more than a dozen other outlets, including The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times.
What we know: "860" has opened on Broadway and runs through Jan. 3, 2027.
What we don't: How the show will sell over its run, or whether it will be filmed.
Where outlets agree The Guardian and Vulture both describe "860" as a solo show about the Pacific Palisades home Crystal lost to fire, praising his skill as a performer.
Where they differ The cited reports agree on the key facts so far.