Billy Crystal returns to Broadway with 1-man show
Comedian Billy Crystal to return to Broadway with his hit 1-man show '700 Sundays'
FILE - This May 13, 2013 file photo shows actor Billy Crystal at the annual "Backstage At The Geffen" event at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles. The star of "City Slickers" and "When Harry Met Sally" said Tuesday, May 14, he will reprise his funny and poignant one-man autobiographical show “700 Sundays” on Broadway for a 9-week stand this fall. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, file)
NEW YORK (AP) -- There are apparently a few more Sundays left in Billy Crystal.
The star of "City Slickers" and "When Harry Met Sally" said Tuesday he will reprise his funny and poignant one-man autobiographical show "700 Sundays" on Broadway for a 9-week stand this fall.
"700 Sundays" was a Broadway success during the 2004-2005 season, playing to sold-out houses and winning a Tony Award for special theatrical experience. Crystal took it on the road, both in America and abroad.
Previews of its return engagement will begin Nov. 5 at the Imperial Theatre, with an opening night set for Nov. 13. The final performance is scheduled for Jan. 5.
In a statement, the New York-bred Crystal said the show — which makes its first return to New York since its Broadway debut — will mark its final performances.
"I've now decided to tell this story one last time in my own backyard, where it all took place," he said. "It is a privilege to return to Broadway to say goodbye to one of the greatest thrills of my life."
Loss triggers the stories in "700 Sundays," the centerpiece being the death of Crystal's father, Jack, who died of a heart attack at age 54 when his son, Billy, was 15.
The show's title comes from a calculation by Crystal that father and son spent that many Sundays together before Jack Crystal died. Sunday was the one day of the week the two had to enjoy each other's company since Jack Crystal always held two or three jobs.
Other relatives from Crystal's suburban Long Island childhood pop up, too, in "700 Sundays": Uncle Milt, who founded the legendary Commodore Records; Uncle Berns and Aunt Sheila, among others.
The show, written with good friend Alan Zweibel, will also feature its original director, Des McAnuff. It became the highest grossing nonmusical in Broadway's history.
In 2009, Crystal reprised the show with engagements in six major cities, including Philadelphia, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta and Washington, D.C. The work was also turned into a book.
Crystal forged his comedy career in such diverse television shows as "Soap" and "Saturday Night Live," and movies such as " Deconstructing Harry" and "Analyze This" as well as gigs on the Academy Awards.
