Manhattan or Sydney? Its all family, says Billy Crystal

SYDNEY, Feb 5 (Reuters) Ask US comedian Billy Crystal what his hit play ''700 Sundays'', a one man show about his life as a young Jewish boy in Manhattan, has in common with life in sunbaked Australia and his answer is simple -- family.

But Crystal admits he has had to adjust his 2005 Tony Award-winning Broadway hit, which opens in Sydney tomorrow, for an Australian audience.

''Part of the beauty of the show is its universality... its really about family, it becomes everyone's family,'' Crystal told a news conference in Sydney today.

Crystal said he had fine-tuned aspects of the play with local comedian Andrew Denton to adapt the humour to Australian tastes, but believed Australians will enjoy the play just like Americans.

''It's up to me. It's me and 2,000 people and I like the odds,'' Crystal joked with reporters.

The play is an autobiographical tale in which Crystal plays 20 characters that have influenced his life. It deals with his youth, growing up in the jazz world of Manhattan, his teenage years and finally adulthood.

Crystal said his music producer father, and his close contact with musicians such as Billie Holiday, inspired his love of performing. But his play relives both happy and dark days.

''Its very joyous but its also very painful, there are some dark moments in the show that become emotional... painful moments,'' he said.

''I've always embraced those moments in my life with humour because sometimes that's the only way to wrap it up in a blanket that's soothing for you,'' he said.

''The preparation is just be honest, open it up and let it go and trust and hope the audience goes with you on it.'' Reuters AKJ DS1125