Billy Crystal will return to Broadway this spring in a musical adaptation of “Mr. Saturday Night.”
Crystal will play comedian Buddy Young Jr., the role he originated in the 1992 Columbia Pictures film. The Broadway cast will include Randy Graff, David Paymer and Chasten Harmon.
The musical will play the Nederlander Theatre starting March 1, 2022, ahead of a March 31 opening night.
“Mr. Saturday Night” features a score by Jason Robert Brown and lyrics by Amanda Green. Crystal wrote the book to the musical, alongside Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel, all of whom were screenwriters for the film.
The production transfers to Broadway after a nine-performance presentation at Barrington Stage in October. James L. Nederlander and Nederlander Presentations, Inc. are producing.
Crystal returns to Broadway after starring in his solo show “700 Sundays.” The production, which Crystal wrote, premiered on Broadway in 2004 and had a return engagement in 2013.
“Mr. Saturday Night” centers on Young, an outspoken comedian who was famous in his youth. Forty years later, Young attempts stardom once again, as well as reconciliation with his family.
“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 the press release.
Paymer will reprise the role of Stan Yankelman, which he played in the film. Graff has appeared on Broadway in “City of Angels,” “A Class Act” and more. Harmon previously appeared on Broadway in “Hair.” Additional casting will be announced at a later date.
John Rando, director of “Urinetown,” directs the new musical. Ellenore Scott, who previously worked as the associate choreographer on “Head Over Heels,” is the choreographer.
The production features 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.
