700 Sundays

Billy Crystal adapted his biographical book into a one-man show in 2004. This year, it was revived, and HBO taped a performance. The show covers the fifteen years, around 700 Sundays, that he had with his dad before he died. And what a fifteen years it was! Did you know that Billy was taken to see his first movie by Billie Holiday? (It was Shane.) Or that both Count Basie and Duke Ellington came to the funeral? This was because his family started and owned Commodore Records during the ‘30s and ‘40s, and that label was responsible for some of the seminal jazz recordings of all time. They knew everybody on the jazz scene. Some of the greatest musicians of all time hung around their home and their record shop. If you love music, this story will turn you green.

But it’s not just about music by any means. It’s about the whole family, including some marvelous eccentrics, who Crystal nails in superb comic impressions. And much, much more. It’s one of the best one-man shows I have ever seen. Highly, highly recommended.