Both of my parents are big fans of Pee Wee Herman and “Pee Wee’s Playhouse”, the Saturday morning TV show from the late 80’s and early 90’s. I had seen one of Pee Wee’s movies – “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure” – on TV, but it was a few years ago and I’m not really sure if I saw the whole movie.
But Thursday night, at the Stephen Sondheim Theater in NYC, I got to see the Playhouse come to life. “The Pee Wee Herman Show” has hit Broadway and it’s both amazing and fantastic. The stage show is pretty much a 90-minute version of the TV series (I am told), with most of the returning characters from the series (and some of the original actors as well). But the star, of course, is Paul Reubens, who looks, sounds (and dances) like he did as Pee Wee 25 years ago.
After the show Pee Wee came out to talk to those fans who were hanging outside the stage door, hoping to see him. He didn’t sign autographs or pose for pictures like mst actors do after their shows. Instead Pee Wee spoke to the crowd with a megaphone. Classic. He did take questions and so I asked him if he still likes ice cream soup and he said he does. I was wearing an original (1987) Pee Wee’s Playhouse Ice Cream Soup T-shirt, which he liked. Other fans had dolls from the old show.
Now that I’ve seen the playhouse live, I can’t wait to start checking-out the original episodes. My parents have them all, in a boxed set, on VHS, which seems appropriate. And I’m going to watch both “Big Adventure” and “Big Top Pee Wee” when I have the chance.
“The Pee Wee Herman Show” only runs until January 2 so, if you’re a fan and can get to NYC this holiday season, you’ve got to see this show.