BILLY CRYSTAL 860-Memorabilia Mementos Makes a Memorable Show a Must See

Billy Crystal's one man show on Broadway at the Imperial Theater "Billy Crystal 860" (860") hits very close to home. This poignant, humane and hilarious throughout memoir hits close to home. The 860 refers to the home address of house Billy & his wife of 50 years, Janice, raised their two daughters. This home was destroyed in the Pac. Pal fire on Jan. 7th, 2025. We raised our kids in Pac. Pal., sent them to the local schools. Every place in the close knit enclave was destroyed by the fire in which Billy's home of 40 years along with priceless memorabila. Billy acknowledged how fortunate he is having insurance and the means to bear this devastating when so many people lost everything who don't have the ease with which to rebuild. Nonetheless, there were irreplacable photos, awards and tokens of friendship that are irreplaceable. The Pac. Pal. fire bookends the 90 minute one act play. It captured the fear and anxiety that quickly led to he and his wife fleeing without the time to choose what to take. Videos, sound affects and recordings capture the terror that forced a massive evacuation. This caused a tense traffic jam with so many cars on the few roads out. There were plenty of tears shed over what was permanently lost and tears of gratitude for what remained and sustained us. The two Crystal daughters, Jenny & Lindsay enclosed a personal a note to the audience, "Our parents built this show after the loss of our childhood home and town. Through the grief, chaos, and uncertainty, they have somehow managed to find joy and move forward." BC860 is loving tribute to family, friends and the little things that hold meaning and the most important things that make live meaningful. Billy takes us back to his initial foray into standup as a recent college graduate and newly wed.As a man of multiple talents, Billy's prowess for mimicry is marvelous. His impersonations are spot on, clever and gut wrenchingly funny. A relatively unknown comic, Billy was given a shot for a short set at an event honoring Muhammad Ali. Billy impersonated both Howard Cosell and Ali in dialogue of their notorious bickering. Ali thought it was so hilarious "he{Ali} put his hands on my shoulders and said 'You're now and forever my little brother." The "greatest" lifelong friendship was forged that night. Billy's love baseball, especially the Yankees is well known. A miraculous recovery of 3 honorary World Series Rings bestowed him were recovered amidst the charred rubble of their beloved home. Billy's shared an intimate conversation with his childhood hero and friend, Mickey Mantle. Billy coaxes Mantle into appearing at the Baseball Hall of Fame. Mantle was uncomfortable and shunned the spotlight. Billy's mimicry of Mantle and their intimate conversation was jaw dropping. The deep friend- ships Billy made and cherished over the years included the beloved comic genius Robin Williams. Billy mimicked Williams mimicking Reagan on a prank call to him. Whoopi was in the audience the night I was there along with Meg Ryan. Tribute was made to Billy's closest friend Rob Reiner. Their friendship was attributed to his friend and mentor, Norman Lear. Clips and photos from the 3 iconic films Reiner cast him in were highlighted: "Spinal Tap," "Princess Bride" and "When Harry Met Sally." Billy said "2025 was an awful year and we were glad to see it come to end. We didn't think it could get worse. And then it did..." This segwayed back into the fires which happened less than a month later. " Billy wrote a brilliant, heartfelt script that brought his memories to life with laughter, "the salve for pain." The set is a replica of his home office; his haven that held a treasure cove of memorabilia. Comedians are healers who elicit laughter as a balm for sorrow. Billy Crystal is a sparkling diamond, a comic genius, multitalented writer, actor, entertainer, loving family man and the best kind of man - a mensch who leaves us feeling lighter through laughter. BILLY CRYSTAL 860 is a show not to be missed or forgotten.