Billy Crystal returns to Broadway on Thursday, October 1, with the first preview performances of 860, a new one-man show built around family memories, career stories and the loss of his longtime Pacific Palisades home.
The production is scheduled to play the Imperial Theatre in New York for a limited engagement, with its official opening night set for October 21 and performances continuing through January 3, 2027.
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What Billy Crystal’s 860 is about
860 takes its name from the street number of the California house where Crystal and his family lived for 46 years before it was destroyed in the Palisades fires.
Crystal has described the production as an invitation for audiences to enter that home through his memories and hear the funny and emotional stories connected to his family and career.
The show is directed by Scott Ellis, who has worked on a wide range of Broadway productions and is also serving as interim artistic director of Roundabout Theatre Company.
Production credits include original music and adaptations by Marc Shaiman, scenic design by Scott Pask, lighting design by Jen Schriever, sound design by Dan Moses Schreier, and video design by Hana S.
Kim and Kylee Loera.
A return to the solo-show format
Crystal’s return to Broadway follows his earlier success with 700 Sundays, the solo production about his relationship with his father that earned him a Tony Award.
He later returned to the stage in Mr. Saturday Night, the musical adaptation of his 1992 film, which played Broadway in 2022.
The new production gives Crystal another opportunity to combine stand-up timing, personal storytelling and theatrical staging without an ensemble cast carrying the narrative.
That format has become closely associated with Crystal’s stage work, allowing him to move between comedy and reflection while focusing on relationships, memory and the passage of time.
Why the show carries added personal weight
The loss of Crystal’s home gives 860 a more immediate subject than a conventional career retrospective.
The house represented decades of family life, including the years when Crystal and his wife raised their children there.
Rather than presenting the fire only as a disaster story, the production frames the address as a container for memories and experiences that remain after the physical home is gone.
That approach places the show within Crystal’s long-standing interest in using humour to examine grief, family history and the changes that come with age.
The production’s official description presents the story as one about family, friendship, love, luck and loss, with laughter serving as a way to confront difficult circumstances.
Broadway schedule and opening date
Preview performances begin October 1 at the Imperial Theatre, followed by the formal opening on October 21.
The engagement is scheduled to run until January 3, 2027, making it a short-term Broadway event rather than an open-ended production.
Performances are listed throughout October, November, December and the first days of January, with evening shows and selected weekend matinees.
| Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| First preview | October 1, 2026 | Imperial Theatre, New York |
| Official opening | October 21, 2026 | Imperial Theatre, New York |
| Scheduled final performance | January 3, 2027 | Imperial Theatre, New York |
What comes next for 860
The immediate milestone is the October 21 opening, when the production will move from previews into its official Broadway run.
As with other new stage productions, the preview period gives the creative team an opportunity to refine pacing, transitions, music and presentation before opening night.
The limited schedule also means audiences will have a defined window to see Crystal perform the show in New York.
For Crystal, 860 extends a theatrical chapter that began with 700 Sundays and continues his use of live performance to turn personal history into a shared audience experience.
The central question of the production is not simply what was lost, but how family stories, humour and memory can preserve a sense of home after the place itself is gone.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Billy Crystal’s 860 begin on Broadway?
Preview performances begin Thursday, October 1, 2026, at the Imperial Theatre in New York.
When is the official opening night for 860?
The official Broadway opening is scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
What does the title 860 mean?
860 was the street number of the Pacific Palisades home where Billy Crystal and his family lived for 46 years before it was destroyed in the Palisades fires.
How long will Billy Crystal’s 860 run?
The limited engagement is scheduled to continue through January 3, 2027.
Who directed Billy Crystal’s 860?
The show is directed by Scott Ellis and written and performed by Billy Crystal.
Fact-Checked: Key dates, venue details, production credits and the connection between 860 and Crystal’s former home were checked against the Shubert Organization announcement and official ticket information.
Disclaimer: Performance schedules can change, so audiences should confirm show times and availability with the official ticketing provider before attending.