Billy Crystal to Return to Broadway for Mr. Saturday Night

Musical he co-wrote is based on his 1992 comedy film of the same name

Photo: Steve Schofield

Billy Crystal will make his return to Broadway for a new musical comedy that he co-wrote called “Mr. Saturday Night” that’s based on his 1992 comedy film of the same name.

Crystal last appeared on Broadway in the Tony-nominated show “700 Sundays,” first in 2004 and again during a limited revival run in 2013.

Crystal co-wrote the book for “Mr Saturday Night” along with Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel, who together all wrote the original film that Crystal also directed. In it he played Buddy Young Jr., an outrageous and outspoken comedian who found fame, if not fortune, in the early days of television. Now, some 40 years after his TV career flamed out, Buddy seeks one more shot at the spotlight, and while he’s at it, one last shot at fixing the family he fractured along the way.

Jason Robert Brown wrote the music for “Mr. Saturday Night,” with lyrics by Amanda Green and choreography by Ellenore Scott. The show will be directed by John Rando.

Crystal will reprise his role as Buddy Young Jr. in the musical, and he’ll also be joined by Randy Graff, David Paymer and Chasten Harmon in the cast. Performances start March 1, 2022, with the official opening night arriving on March 31, at the Nederlander Theatre on Broadway.

“Creating and portraying the 75-year-old comedian Buddy Young Jr. in the film of ‘Mr. Saturday Night’ was one
of the highlights of my career – 30 years ago I needed 5 hours of make-up to play him, now I just show up,” Crystal said in a statement. “It’s been a joy to collaborate once again with the brilliant and hilarious Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel, my co-writers from the film, and to be joined by the wonderful team of Jason Robert Brown, Amanda Green, Ellenore Scott and directed by John Rando. And it doesn’t get any better than sharing a stage with Randy Graff, my old friend David Paymer, and Chasten Harmon. Together we have created a truly funny and moving musical comedy. I can’t wait to come back to Broadway next year at the Nederlander Theatre.”

The production will feature scenic design by Scott Pask, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by
Kenneth Posner, video and projection design by Jeff Sugg, sound design by Kai Harada, and hair and wig design by Charles LaPointe. The production stage manager is Tripp Phillips. Music direction is by David O. Orchestrations and arrangements are by Jason Robert Brown.

Crystal most recently starred in the films “Standing Up, Falling Down” with Ben Schwartz and “Here Today” with Tiffany Haddish.

Pre-sale tickets go on sale November 10, and the general public sale begins Nov. 22.

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