Pee-wee’s Big Broadway Adventure

You know him. You love him. And now he's back in action, starring in The Pee-wee Herman Show on Broadway this fall.

10 Weeks Only • Stephen Sondheim Theater • Oct. 26 – Jan. 2

THE BEGINNINGS

The character of Pee-wee Herman was created by comedian Paul Reubens while he was a member of the Los Angeles improv group, The Groundlings. The Pee-wee Herman Show premiered at The Groundlings Theatre on Feb. 7, 1981 and quickly moved to The Roxy on Sunset Strip where it ran for an unprecedented five months. Pee-wee was finally introduced to a national audience when HBO decided to pick up the show. Reubens' creation was brought to the big screen in 1985 with the hit comedy Pee-wee's Big Adventure, which he co-wrote and marked Tim Burton's debut as a director. Reubens went on to mold the ideas for Pee-wee's Playhouse and was later being credited as the creator, co-writer and director for the CBS series. The show went on to earn 22 Emmy Awards during its five-year run, Reubens receiving 14 nominations and winning twice.

THE LA COMEBACK

The recent stage version of The Pee-wee Herman Show was originally produced in Los Angeles this past January. With a limited engagement of only four weeks, the show ran successfully and drew in flocks of Pee-wee fans.

His first comeback show was originally set to open November 2009 at The Music Box Theatre and continue through to the end of the year, but an overwhelming demand for tickets by Pee-wee super fans forced the venue to be changed to the much larger Club Nokia. As a result of the mishap, Paul Reubens apologized on his website: "To the fans who already bought tickets, I apologize for the inconvenience of the venue and date changes and am arranging for you to come backstage and say hello!"

Much like the original stage show, the production revolved around Pee-wee's desire to fly. It included 11 actors and 20 puppets. The musical composer and many of the same set artists from the 1982 original stage show worked on the show. Original cast members Lynne Stewart (Miss Yvonne), John Moody (Mailman Mike) and John Paragon (Jambi the Genie) also returned to the LA production. The Pee-wee Herman Show also received positive reviews from various Los Angeles-based publications such as The Los Angeles Times, The Hollywood Reporter and The Orange County Register.

THE BROADWAY PRODUCTION

The well-received show in Los Angeles paved the way for the Broadway production. Written by Reubens and Bill Steinkellner, with additional material by John Paragon,the show has been revamped for the Broadway stage. It will be produced by Scott Sanders (The Color Purple) and directed byAlex Timbers (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson), featuring music byJay Cotton and puppetry by Basil Twist (The Addams Family). Cast members include: Jesse Garcia (Quinceañera) as Sergio, Phil LaMarr (Pulp Fiction) as Cowboy Curtis, Josh Meyers (That 70's Show) as Firefighter, Conky, Clocky and Fish, John Moody (Original The Pee-wee Herman Show) as Mailman Mike, John Paragon (Original The Pee-wee Herman Show) as Jambi, Pterri and Writer, Drew Powell (The Office) as Bear, Mr. Window, Randy and Flowers, Lance Roberts (Numbers) as King of Cartoons, Globey, Mr. Knucklehead, and Flowers, and Lynne Marie Stewart (Original The Pee-wee Herman Show, It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia) as Miss Yvonne.

WHO IS PAUL REUBENS?

Most of Paul Reubens' career is defined by his creation of Pee-wee Herman. However, his credits have gone on to expand the sphere of his bow-tied man-child persona. Reubens has recently been seen in a number of films and TV roles, including 30 Rock, Pushing Daisies, Reno 911, Everybody Loves Raymond and Murphy Brown, which earned him an Emmy nomination. His film credits include Mystery Men, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Blow, Todd Solondz's Life During Wartime, and the upcoming Nailed (David O. Russell). In the world of animation, Reubens has done voice-overs for Dr. Dolittle, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Family Guy.