Billy Crystal Brings 860 to Broadway After City Slickers Legacy

Billy Crystal is presenting his one-man Broadway show 860 at the Imperial Theatre in New York, where he reflects on family, loss and his career while revisiting the aftermath of the 2025 Palisades fires that destroyed his home. The production runs through Jan. 3, 2027, according to the show information.

The show features Crystal recounting personal memories and the role humor played during difficult experiences. Ticket listings cited by the source showed remaining performances with prices starting at $124 including fees at the time of publication.

The production website described the performance as a story about family, friendship, love, luck and loss, noting that Crystal revisits memories and moments that shaped him.

"Billy relives his memories and moments that mattered the most, and reflects on how the power of laughter can overcome even the hardest of times." according to the show's website.

Crystal's Broadway return follows his 2022 appearance in Mr. Saturday Night, a musical based on the 1992 film he wrote, directed and starred in.

"The Borscht Belt is alive and kvell on Broadway," wrote Johnny Oleksinski of the New York Post in a review of Mr. Saturday Night.

Oleksinski also highlighted Crystal's performance and comedic timing in the production.

"[He] is in tremendous form and the generous showman persona we love him for, not to mention his god-like timing, is allowed to go bananas…this is Crystal reliving his 'When Harry Met Sally' prime." wrote Johnny Oleksinski, New York Post critic.

Separately, Crystal's connection to City Slickers remains a notable part of his film career. The 1991 comedy nearly had a different Curly, the trail boss character eventually played by Jack Palance.

Crystal recalled that Charles Bronson rejected the role after objecting to Curly dying midway through the story.

"He cursed me out!" said Billy Crystal in an interview with Yahoo Entertainment in 2021.

Crystal described the conversation after Bronson received the script and reacted to the character's fate.

"He said, 'I'm dead on page 53. How could you do this? Nobody kills Charles Bronson — didn't you see my Death Wish movies? I don't die!'" said Billy Crystal in the same interview.

Crystal explained that Curly's death was important because it forced the main characters to complete the cattle drive themselves.

"That's the key part of the story: (Curly) has to die so the three guys can bring in the herd themselves. And you and I would have these really lovely scenes together," said Billy Crystal.

Crystal said Bronson rejected that explanation and ended the call.

"Eff you, I'm dead," said Charles Bronson during Crystal's recollection of the conversation.

Jack Palance ultimately played Curly after his scheduling issue was resolved. He later explained why he accepted the role in a 1991 interview with the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

"I will always read a decent script when it is offered, and the script to City Slickers made sense," said Jack Palance in 1991.

Palance also discussed his view of the character that earned him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1992.

"Curly is the kind of man I would like to be." said Jack Palance.

City Slickers earned more than $124 million at the domestic box office, produced a 1994 sequel and was recognized among the 100 greatest comedies ever made.

Crystal later reflected on the production and his experience working with Palance.

"Part of it," said Billy Crystal when discussing why the film was memorable.