HOLLYWOOD—Opening to critical acclaim at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre on November 11, 2010, and wrapping its run January 2, “The Pee-wee Herman Show” featured 90 minutes of subversive humor and childlike wonder, based on both Paul Reubens’s original stage show, “The Pee-wee Herman Show,” and the Emmy®-winning Saturday morning TV show, “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” which became a cultural phenomenon. The New York Times called the new Broadway show “yummier than chocolate,” with New York saying, “Welcome back, Pee-wee! You were sorely missed,” while the New York Post noted, “The audience screams for joy!”
The Broadway production of “The Pee-wee Herman Show” starred (in order of appearance): Paul Reubens as Pee-wee Herman, plus John Moody (Mailman Mike), Drew Powell (Bear), John Paragon (Jambi), Jesse Garcia (Sergio), Phil LaMarr (Cowboy Curtis), Lynne Marie Stewart (Miss Yvonne), Lance Roberts (King of Cartoons) and Josh Meyers (Firefighter). Reubens also brought the Pee-wee character to the big screen in “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” and “Big Top Pee-wee.”
“The Pee-wee Herman Show On Broadway” reunites Paul Reubens and Marty Callner, who directs this new HBO special and directed the 1981 HBO special “The Pee-wee Herman Show.” Callner’s previous HBO credits include comedy specials starring Will Ferrell, Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, George Carlin and Robin Williams.
Credits for the Broadway presentation of “The Pee-wee Herman Show”: production created and conceived by Paul Reubens; written by Paul Reubens and Bill Steinkellner; additional material by John Paragon; music by Jay Cotton; directed by Alex Timbers; based on the original “The Pee-wee Herman Show” by Paul Reubens, Bill Steinkellner, Phil Hartman, John Paragon, Edie McClurg, John Moody, Lynne Marie Stewart, Ivan Flores, Brian Seff, Monica Ganas, Tito Larriva. David Korins’ production design is based on the original “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” production design by Gary Panter. Cristina Waltz’s make-up design is based on the original “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” by Ve Neill and the costume design is by Ann Closs-Farley.
The character of Pee-wee Herman is experiencing a remarkable renaissance, with enormous followings on Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare. Renowned writer-director-producer Judd Apatow recently announced that he and Reubens are developing a new feature film based on the character.
Paul Reubens’ other credits include the TV series “30 Rock,” “Pushing Daisies,” “Reno 911!,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “Family Guy” and “Murphy Brown” (which earned him an Emmy® nomination), and the feature films “Mystery Men,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Blow,” “Life During Wartime,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and the upcoming “Nailed.”
Three decades after his first HBO special, Paul Reubens returns to the network in an exclusive presentation of his recent hit Broadway show. Debuting Saturday, March 19 (10-11:30 p.m. ET/PT), the HBO presentation “The Pee-wee Herman Show On Broadway” was shot at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre in New York in January, immediately following the conclusion of the show’s exclusive Broadway engagement.
Photographs are Courtesy: Kevin Mazur/HBO
