The world premiere of "Billy Joel: And So It Goes," a new documentary about the iconic singer, took place at Manhattan’s Beacon Theatre on Wednesday night, serving as the opening night film for the 24th annual Tribeca Festival. Directed by Susan Lacy, creator of the PBS series "American Masters," and her longtime collaborator Jessica Levin, the documentary is being touted as "both a revelation and a surprise," featuring never-before-seen archival footage and home movies.

Billy Joel, 76, was unable to attend the premiere. He recently canceled all his upcoming concerts to undergo treatment for a rare brain disorder. Director Susan Lacy conveyed Joel's sentiments to the audience, stating, "Billy wishes he were here tonight, and he asked us to convey his greetings to you all. He said, ‘Getting old sucks, but it’s still preferable to getting cremated.'" Lacy described the film backstage as "a very honest and very poignant film," promising new insights even for die-hard fans.

Many individuals interviewed for the documentary were present at the premiere, including Joel’s longtime lighting designer Steve Cohen (who is also an executive producer on the film), former bandmates Liberty DeVitto, Richie Cannata, and Russell Javors, and his first wife, Elizabeth Weber, who managed Joel's career for several years starting in the mid-1970s. Tom Hanks, a producer on the film, also attended. Speaking before the screening, Cohen emphasized his concern for Joel: "The most important thing is that he gets better. We’ve been together for 50 years, and he’s my friend before he’s my boss."

Tribeca Festival co-founders Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal introduced the screening. They paid tribute to Joel by singing lines from his classic songs; Rosenthal chose "Only the Good Die Young," while De Niro sang a snippet of "New York State of Mind." Rosenthal also expressed well wishes, saying, "We know you all join us in wishing him a speedy recovery."

Due to time constraints, only the first half of the two-part documentary was screened. This initial segment reportedly explores Joel's early life challenges, including two suicide attempts as a young man, his mother’s "doting but fragile personality," and his father’s "abusive streak." The film also delves into his relationship with Elizabeth Weber, depicted as a highly effective and even "fearsome" manager who nevertheless could not prevent her husband from overdrinking.

The near-capacity audience at the Beacon Theatre responded warmly to the film, with loud cheers and applause erupting whenever the on-screen Joel achieved a landmark album, such as "Turnstiles" or "The Stranger," or a significant career victory, like his two Grammy Awards for "Just the Way You Are." The well-known anecdote about Joel writing "New York State of Mind" while riding a bus towards Highland Falls also elicited some of the night’s most appreciative cheers.

"Billy Joel: And So It Goes" is scheduled to air on HBO later this summer, although a specific broadcast date has not yet been announced.