Billy Crystal News

Ahead of his appearance on The Late Late Show couch, Billy Crystal and James Corden sit down for lunch and launch into a very familiar dialogue about faking it. In the 'When Harry Met Sally' parody, the two debate whether a late night host has faked a laugh when Billy is on the show. And Jay Leno will have what James is having.

The 9th Annual Guild of Music Supervisors Awards will honor composer and lyricist Marc Shaiman with the Icon Award, according to Variety. The awards take place on February 13 at the Theatre at Ace Hotel in Los Angeles.

What good is sitting alone in your room this week? If you don't already have plans to see a Broadway show, come out to see your favorite Broadway stars in a cabaret act instead. Highlights this week include: Alice Ripley, Hailey Kilgore, Amanda Green, and the revival cast of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Jason Robert Brown's landmark musical Songs for a New World (New York City Center 2018 Encores! Off-Center Cast Recording) is released today, Friday, January 25, in streaming and digital formats, in addition to a two-CD set. This is the show's first recording since the world premiere album over 20 years ago. In the ensuing years, these songs have become staples of contemporary musical theater, including the modern standard "Stars and the Moon." The CD package includes a 12-page booklet with production photos and a note from Jason Robert Brown. To order the album, please visit: ghostlightrecords.lnk.to/songsforanewworld

The McCallum Theatre presents the all new annual edition of "It's Magic!" on Sunday, February 17, at 3:00pm. For this year's "It's Magic!", producers Milt Larsen and Terry Hill have gathered stars of magic who are international magic award winners, headliners in Las Vegas, and who have performed on television and internationally.

This February, for Black History Month, American Masters profiles two iconic performers who broke new ground in entertainment as the Civil Rights movement gathered momentum in America: Sammy Davis, Jr., and Charley Pride. American Masters – Sammy Davis, Jr.: I've Gotta Be Me, the first major film documentary to examine the performer's vast career and journey for identity through the shifting tides of civil rights and racial progress during 20th-century America, premieres nationwide Tuesday, February 19 at 9:00 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings) and is available on DVD the same day through PBS Distribution. The PBS broadcast also features 20 minutes of exclusive bonus performance footage spanning Davis' 50-year career after the documentary. American Masters – Charley Pride: I'm Just Me premieres nationwide Friday, February 22 at 9:00 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings). Both films will be available to stream the day after their respective broadcast premieres viapbs.org/americanmasters and PBS apps.

Solo shows from all over the world are invited to submit for 2019 United Solo Theatre Festival. The world's largest solo theatre festival will celebrate its tenth anniversary season this year, taking place as usual at Theatre Row, located in the heart of New York's legendary theatre district. The Festival dates are September 19 - November 24.

PBS today announced special programming to commemorate Black History Month, as part of its commitment to celebrating the diversity of America year-round.

Veteran comedy screenwriting partners Lowell Ganz & Babaloo Mandel, known for such acclaimed box-office hits as Splash and Parenthood, have been named the recipients of the Writers Guild of America West's 2019 Laurel Award for Screenwriting Achievement, presented to Guild members who have “advanced the literature of motion pictures and made outstanding contributions to the profession of the screenwriter.”

As 2018 comes to a close, we are reflecting on those we have lost in the Broadway and theatre communities throughout the year.

SF Sketchfest presented by Audible announces even more additions to the lineup for the 18th annual San Francisco Comedy Festival January 10-27.  The 17-day festival features over 200 shows with  major comedy stars and the best up-and-coming comedians from around the world performing in venues across the city bringing non-stop entertainment including sketch, stand-up, alternative comedy, music, improv, films, tributes, live podcasts, storytelling, family shows, workshops, panels and more. Tickets for all shows now on sale at sfsketchfest.com.

Freestyle Digital Media, the digital film distribution division of Byron Allen's Entertainment Studios, has acquired the North American rights to Emma Forrest's directorial debut UNTOGETHER. Following its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in April, and starring Jamie Dornan (50 SHADES OF GREY), Jemima Kirke (HBO's “Girls”), Ben Mendelsohn (ROGUE ONE, Netflix's “Bloodline”), Lola Kirke (Amazon's “Mozart in the Jungle”), and Billy Crystal (WHEN HARRY MET SALLY), the film will hit select theaters nationwide February 8, 2019 along with all digital platforms.

Former Congressman Charles Rangel and Former Mayor David Dinkins stopped by to see the Joe Mantegna directed I'm Not a Comedian…I'm Lenny Bruce, written by and starring Ronnie Marmo as the late iconic free-speech fighter. 

After her Off Broadway triumph, Monica Piper brings her hit comedy NOT THAT JEWISH to Los Angeles where it was originally developed and ran for almost a year. Beginning December 1st, Piper returns to the stage with the same passion that has navigated her career to an EMMY Award win, Golden Globe nomination, American Comedy Award nomination as one of the TOP FIVE female comedians in the country, and secured her as one of Showtime Network's "Comedy All Stars." Piper presents her authentic humor and autobiographical journey to local audiences in Southern California during this holiday season.

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will kick off the 10th annual TCM Classic Film Festival on Thursday, April 11th with a 30th anniversary screening of the seminal romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally... with beloved stars Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan and acclaimed director/producer Rob Reiner in attendance. The 2019 TCM Classic Film Festival, held in the heart of Hollywood April 11th-14th, marks the 10th annual celebration of classic films on the big screen from TCM. The TCM network will also celebrate its 25th anniversary on closing night of the festival.

Tuesday night, jazz legend Tony Bennett, in town for the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting, snuck into the hit Off-Broadway show I'm Not a Comedian…I'm Lenny Bruce, directed by Joe Mantegna and written by and starring Ronnie Marmo.

Do you want to have the best birthday party ever? First…. be talented and admired entertainers who have lots of talented friends. Then, have many adoring fans and a large loving family. Next, have Sunny Sessa and Craig Neier create and produce your celebration at the Friars Club. The Friars Club which is the ground zero gathering place for show business folks and one of a kind events (most recent the Billy Crystal Icon Award Gala) hosted Will & Anthony Nunziata's Birthday Bash last night and here is a look inside the celebration.

The Birdland Theater hosted two-time Tony-nominated Broadway songwriter and performer Amanda Green with another one of her monthly shows. Amanda brought exuberant wit and hilarious banter in an evening of her funny and moving songs, including special previews of her up and coming shows. Amanda was joined by special guest stars Kelli Barrett, Julia Murney, Ariana DeBose, Nancy Opel and Howard McGillin. Musical direction was Annbritt duChateau.

Last night, Renee Taylor won the annual The United Solo Special Award, which recognizes artists who have made significant recent contributions to solo theatre during the year, for her critically acclaimed autobiographical comedy MY LIFE ON A DIET. Along with Ms. Taylor, this year's nominees included Derek DelGaudio (In & Of Itself), Alison S. M. Kobayashi (Say Something Bunny!), John Lithgow (Stories By Heart), Chita Rivera (An Evening with Chita Rivera) and Bruce Springsteen (Springsteen on Broadway).

SF Sketchfest presented by Audible announces the initial line up for the 18th annual San Francisco Comedy Festival January 10-27, 2019, featuring top comedic talent performing in venues across the city. Audiences can expect another outstanding year of programming and fun as SF Sketchfest will host major comedy stars and the best up-and-coming acts from around the world for non-stop entertainment including sketch, stand-up, alternative comedy, music, improv, films, tributes, live podcasts, storytelling, family shows, workshops, panels and more.