Back in the 80s, my brother and I were big fans of Pee-Wee Herman. So much so that we memorized and rehearsed lines from the movie Pee-Wee's Big Adventures and also mimicked one of PW's signature moves: we pushed our noses up like pigs then wrapped scotch tape 'round and 'round our heads to hold our noses in that piggy-snout position. Then we ran downstairs and showed our mom, who probably wondered where she had gone wrong in her parenting.Recently, I rented Pee-Wee's Big Adventures, and was reminded of all the reasons I liked that dude in the first place. He messed with gender roles. His voice and facial expressions went from angelic to demonic in a matter of seconds. He was hip and nerdy at the same time. He appealed to lots of different age groups.
Since I've been hearing through the grapevine that Pee-Wee has made a comeback, I did a little research to get the facts.
Starting in January of this year, "The Pee-Wee Herman Show," starring Paul Reubens, began a limited engagement at Club Nokia @ LA Live. The show is billed as "a theatrical producted for grown-ups and appropriate for ages 16 to 106."
The press release also stated:
This new version of “The Pee-wee Herman Show,” has been adapted from the original production by Reubens, Bill Steinkellner and John Paragon. Joining this production is Miss Yvonne, Mailman Mike, Cowboy Curtis and Jambi the Genie, as well as Pee-wee’s talking chair, Chairry, Pterri the pterodactyl, Conky the robot, Magic Screen, Randy, and lot’s more. Many of the show’s original artists, both on stage and behind the scenes are involved in this re-imagined production. David Korins, the show’s scenic designer, will work with Gary Panter, one of the most influential artists of his generation and designer of both the original stage production and CBS’s Pee-wee’s Playhouse. The show’s original musical composer, Jay Cotton, is busily writing new material.To check out the official Pee-Wee Herman website, CLICK HERE.
Long live Pee-Wee!
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