Billy Crystal to star in new Broadway musical comedy 'Mr. Saturday Night' in March 2022

The musical is adapted from the 1992 film of the same name, in which Crystal also starred.

Billy Crystal is set to star in a new musical adaptation of the 1992 film Mr. Saturday Night on Broadway, which is set to begin performances March 1, 2022 ahead of a March 31 opening night at the Nederlander Theatre. He will reprise the leading role of Buddy Young Jr. that he originated in the film.

Mr. Saturday Night follows Buddy, a comedian, who rose to fame in the early days of television but whose career has been past its peak for 40 years. During that time, he became estranged from many of the friends and family members who helped him get his start, and he recalls these memories through a series of flashbacks. Now, he has one more shot at fame and hopes to fix his relationships with his loved ones while he's working for it.

Before a Broadway engagement was confirmed, the musical was developed at Barrington Stage Company in Massachusetts in October 2021.

Crystal is making his third Broadway appearance with Mr. Saturday Night. His previous two were in the solo show 700 Days, named after his memoir of the same name. For the show's premiere in 2004, he won the 2005 Tony Award for Special Theatrical Event and a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Solo Performance, and he starred in a return Broadway engagement of 700 Days in 2013.

The cast of Mr. Saturday Night also includes Tony Award winner Randy Graff as Elaine Young; David Paymer as Buddy's brother Stan Yankelman, a role he played in the film; and Chasten Harmon as the agent Annie Wells. Additional casting has yet to be announced.

Besides starring as Buddy, Crystal co-produced, co-wrote, and made his directorial debut with the Mr. Saturday Night film. The original screenwriters — Crystal, Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel — have reunited to write the musical's book, and Tony Award winner John Rando will direct. The musical also features music, orchestrations, and arrangements by three-time Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown, lyrics by Tony Award nominee Amanda Green, and choreography by Ellenore Scott.

The rest of the creative team includes scenic designer Scott Pask, costume designer Paul Tazewell, lighting designer Kenneth Posner, video and projection designer Jeff Sugg, sound designer Kai Harada, hair and wig designer Charles LaPointe, and music director David O.

Check back for information on Mr. Saturday Night tickets on New York Theatre Guide.

^{Photo credit: Steve Schofield}