700 Sundays begins performances Nov. 12 at the Broadhurst Theatre toward an official opening Dec. 5. Tony Award winner Des McAnuff (Big River, The Who's Tommy) directs.
Tickets for the Crystal's Broadway debut went on sale to the general public Sept. 26 following an American Express Gold Card presale from Sept. 12-25. The Broadway run is currently on sale for performances through March 5, 2005.
The Boy From Oz starring Hugh Jackman had posted an advance sales of $10 million prior to its Oct. 26, 2003 opening — a good showing for a musical. The Post purports that Crystal's vehicle will near that number by the time it reaches its first performance, a rare feat to be achieved by a one-person work. Production spokespersons would not confirm any numbers.
Janice Crystal (the star's wife) and Larry Magid produce the Broadway run of the work which was developed at La Jolla Playhouse, where McAnuff is artistic director.
* "I am thrilled to come home and bring this story of my family to Broadway," said Crystal in a statement. "This is not a history of my career, it is about periods of my life and people in my life that helped make me a man."
The solo work is billed as two-act play that "deals with [Crystal's] youth, growing up in the jazz world of Manhattan, his teenage years, and finally adulthood." The work, which features additional content by Alan Zweibel, was built upon material used in his live benefit performances of An Evening with Billy Crystal and His Special Guest David Steinberg in 2003.
Crystal, who hosted the Academy Awards for the eighth time in 2004, has recently appeared in "Analyze That," the sequel to "Analyze This." Other films credits include "Running Scared," "City Slickers," "Throw Momma From The Train," "The Princess Bride," "When Harry Met Sally," and "America's Sweethearts." He also provided the voice of Mike in the animated "Monsters Inc." Crystal also received plaudits for his directorial work on the HBO film "61*" which he also executive produced.
700 Sundays will perform at the Broadhurst Theatre, located at 235 West 44 Street.
