Our subtitle is: What professional speakers and business leaders can learn from a master storyteller
When I travel to speak, I like to extend my visit to enjoy the theatre whenever possible. As an executive speech coach and presentation skills expert, I consider watching great performers part of my continuing education.
In New York, I had the privilege of seeing Billy Crystal’s new one-man Broadway show, 860, at the Imperial Theatre.
I expected to be entertained. I knew I would laugh.
What I did not expect was to go through so many tissues.
It was brilliantly written, produced, and performed. A masterclass in storytelling, emotional connection, and theatrical presentation.
A House Filled with 46 Years of Memories
The title 860 comes from the address of Billy Crystal’s Pacific Palisades home, where he and his wife, Janice, raised their family and lived for 46 years.
In January 2025, the devastating Palisades fires destroyed that home.
Imagine losing the home where your children grew up. Where you celebrated holidays, friends gathered, careers developed, and family memories accumulated.
Now imagine taking an audience inside that home, even after it no longer exists.
That is exactly what Billy Crystal accomplished.
The stage recreated his home office, filled with photographs and memorabilia representing decades of extraordinary experiences.
Each photograph became an invitation into another story.
Each story revealed another side of the man behind the famous face.
The Power of Moving Between Past and Present
One of 860’s most impressive aspects was its structure.
Billy took us from the devastating fires of 2025 back through decades of his life, then returned us to the present without ever losing the emotional thread.
We watched actual footage of the fires. We experienced the frightening reality of the destruction. Then, almost effortlessly, he transported us into another time.
We enjoyed clips from his television appearances and films. We relived highlights of his Academy Awards hosting performances.
He recalled his relationship with Muhammad Ali, who considered Billy his little brother.
We revisited memories of his friendship and comedy partnership with Robin Williams. Just seeing Robin again reminded us of the tragedy of losing such an extraordinary talent.
And Billy shared memories of his longtime friendship with Rob Reiner, whose death in 2025 added another layer of sadness to an already emotional story.
These were not simply stories about celebrities.
They were stories about friendship, loyalty, shared experiences, and loss.
Billy Crystal reminded us that the most meaningful stories are not necessarily about what we accomplish. They are about whom we love and the lives we touch.
One Moment We Laughed. The Next, We Cried.
As a speech coach, I often remind my clients that a great presentation needs emotional variety.
An audience cannot remain at the same emotional level throughout an entire speech.
Billy demonstrated this brilliantly.
He knew exactly when to make us laugh, when to become reflective, and when to let a moment’s emotion settle.
What Every Professional Speaker Can Learn from Billy Crystal
I teach my clients that stories are among a communicator’s most powerful tools. Watching Billy Crystal’s show 860 on Broadway reinforced several principles I have emphasized throughout my career.
- Specificity builds credibility.
The number 860 is not merely an address. It represents a home, a family, and 46 years of experiences.
Specific details transform abstract ideas into memories an audience can see and feel.
- Use visuals to support the storyteller.
The photographs, memorabilia, and film clips were beautifully integrated into the performance.
They never replaced Billy Crystal.
They supported him.
How often do we see corporate presenters surrender their audience’s attention to a PowerPoint slide?
Billy demonstrated how visuals can deepen emotional connection while keeping the storyteller at the center.
- Master the art of transitions.
Moving between decades can easily confuse an audience.
Billy made it seem effortless because every memory connected to the central theme: the importance of home, family, friendship, and love.
That is the value of a strong speech structure. Every story has a purpose.
- Give your audience permission to feel.
Professional speakers sometimes worry about becoming too emotional.
Yet emotion is often what makes a message memorable.
Billy allowed us to experience his joy, grief, gratitude, and love.
We were not simply observing his memories. We were connecting them to our own.
- Remember that last words linger.
The emotional impact of 860 stayed with me long after the performance ended.
That is what every speaker should aspire to accomplish.
Not simply to be heard, rather to be remembered.
A Masterclass Worth Experiencing
Billy Crystal has entertained audiences for decades. His previous autobiographical Broadway show, 700 Sundays, earned a special Tony Award, and 860 demonstrates that his gift for storytelling remains extraordinary.
Directed by Scott Ellis, this new production is a beautifully constructed theatrical experience.
Yet what impressed me most was not his fame, his accomplishments, or even his extraordinary comedic timing.
It was his humanity.
He invited us into his home, introduced us to the people who mattered most, and helped us understand what it means to lose a physical place without losing the love and memories it contained.
As a lifelong student of great communication, I left inspired.
As an audience member, I left emotionally exhausted.
And as someone who believes that powerful stories create powerful connections, I left reminded why storytelling matters so much.
Billy Crystal didn’t simply tell us about his life. He made us feel it.
That is the difference between a good presentation and an unforgettable experience.
And if you have the opportunity to see 860, my advice is simple:
Go. And take plenty of tissues.
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