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Billy Crystal’s hit Broadway play ‘700 Sundays’ coming to HBO

Billy Crystal at an opening-night curtain call for "700 Sundays" at Broadway's Imperial Theatre.
(Brad Barket / Getty Images)
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Billy Crystal’s Tony Award-winning one-man show, “700 Sundays,” will get a curtain-raiser over at HBO.

The autobiographical solo show, which made its return to Broadway earlier this year, will be taped Jan. 3 and 4 at the Imperial Theatre in New York, with the special set to air on HBO later in 2014.

“700 Sundays” originally opened in 2004 at the Broadhurst Theatre and ran for 163 performances — and quickly set box-office records. The two-act play featured Crystal playing several characters who influenced him throughout his life. It took home the 2005 Tony Award for special theatrical experience.

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“Billy Crystal has been a beloved member of the HBO family for more than three decades,” said Michael Lombardo, president of HBO programming, in a statement. “It’s thrilling to us that he decided to let us film this legendary theatrical event.”

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The airing of the play marks Crystal’s sixth HBO solo special, following “On Location,” “A Comics Line,” “Don’t Get Me Started,” “The Lost Minutes” and “Midnight Train to Moscow.” And it’s yet another link in his dealing with HBO: He created and wrote the ‘90s comedy series “Sessions” and was executive producer of the 2001 sports drama film “61*” for the channel.

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“I am thrilled to be back home at HBO,” Crystal said in a statement. “I always felt this would be the last time I would perform ‘700 Sundays.’ Taping it so more people can see the play is very exciting. Most importantly, my grandchildren and others to come will get to know about our family and its unique history.”

Crystal brought the play back to Broadway earlier this year for a nine-week run that kicked off in November.

Crystal and David Steinberg will be executive producers of the HBO special, which will be directed by Des McAnuff.

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