Billy Crystal's '860' Broadway Show Confronts Grief and Loss of Faith

Key points

• The show '860' is named after the street address of Crystal's former home and is staged in a replica of his home office.
• Crystal lost his home of 46 years in the January 2025 Palisades Fire, which destroyed over 5,000 homes in the area.
• Rob Reiner, Crystal's close friend, helped choose the title '860' before his death in December 2025.
• Crystal stated he no longer trusts God due to the cumulative impact of recent tragedies and the state of the world.
• The production is a 14-week engagement at the Imperial Theatre in New York City, running through January 3, 2027.

Background

This follows Crystal's previous one-man show, '700 Sundays,' which explored his grief over his father's death and earned him a Tony Award. The current show is his third Broadway outing, following 'Mr. Saturday Night' in 2022. The broader context includes the devastating Los Angeles wildfires of January 2025 and the high-profile murder of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele in December 2025.

How outlets are covering it

Fox News emphasizes Crystal's loss of faith, highlighting his statement that he no longer trusts God due to 'too many bad things' and the state of the Earth. Playbill focuses on the collaborative aspect, noting that Rob Reiner helped select the title '860' before his death. USA Today highlights the family aspect, with Crystal stating he leans on his wife Janice and daughters, and describes the show as a 'human story' about renewal. CBS News provides a detailed account of the fire's impact and Crystal's use of humor as a 'healer,' while also noting the involvement of director Scott Ellis and composer Marc Shaiman. All sources agree on the show's purpose as a cathartic process for Crystal, but differ in emphasis: Fox on faith, Playbill on collaboration, USA Today on family, and CBS on the mechanics of the show and humor.

Why it matters

The show '860' serves as a public processing of significant personal and cultural losses, reflecting the impact of the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires and the murder of Rob Reiner. It highlights the role of theater in healing and the changing perspectives of public figures on faith and resilience in the face of tragedy.

What to watch

The show '860' will officially open on October 21, 2026, at the Imperial Theatre in New York City, with a limited run through January 3, 2027. Crystal has expressed hope to bring the show to Los Angeles after its New York run.