The Pee-wee Herman Show is back and breaking ticket sale records at the Fonda

August 17, 3:06 PMRaleigh Pop Culture ExaminerJenna Trunzo

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From the original production

If you’ve been waiting since the ‘80’s to see an overstuffed talking chair catapult a suit clad man-child into a fantastic like sketch, you’re day has finally come. The Pee-wee Herman Show  is back and this time, Paul Reubens promises to keep it in his gray polyesters. Reubens said, “It’s time…. I've put part of him away for a long time, but part of him has always been here with me. I think it will be like riding a bike - which is not a bad analogy for Pee-wee, by the way."

That’s right; the long-awaited return of Pee-wee Herman has arrived and he is right back where he started… on stage. The Pee-wee Herman Show will be at the Music Box @ Fonda on Hollywood Boulevard starting November 8. Within 24 hours of tickets going on sale, the show broke an all-time record, selling more tickets than any other show ever to perform at the Fonda. Looks like the word of the day is “comeback”! Familiar cast members will include Miss Yvonne, Cowboy Curtis, Jambi, and Chairry in what is being dubbed “L.A.’s theatrical event of 2009.” “[The Pee-wee Herman Show will be] re-imagined, re-invented, and nuttier than ever…” Tickets are on still on sale through Ticketmaster and range from $38.50 - $68.50.

The Pee-wee Herman Show originally debuted at The Groundlings Theatre in 1981 and continued a five month stint at the Roxy Theatre where it consistently sold out shows. After gaining a national following, the blossoming Pee-wee franchise expanded to the movies, proving to be a career turning point for more than just Paul Reubens. Tim Burton, then little known director, decided to take on the challenge of directing his first feature film - Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. Danny Elfman also worked on the production, creating his first original film score. The off-kilter cult classic was catalytic for all three men’s careers.

The Pee-wee franchise continued in 1986 when CBS premiered a series, Pee-wee’s Playhouse, based on the original stage show. The series went on to air for 5 seasons, earning 22 Emmy Awards. It had the potential to continue its limelight success, if in July of 1991, Paul Reubens hadn’t succeeded in obliterating his and Pee-wee’s career. Reubens was arrested for masturbating in public, the kind of notoriety children’s stars should avoid, essentially retiring Pee-wee instantly. Then in 2004, Reubens pled guilty to misdemeanor charges of possessing obscene materials of minors engaged in sexual conduct. At least we know why he named his alter ego character Pee-wee. (Insert guttural “Ha ha… I know you are, but what am I?”)

Years after some of the infamy died down, in 2006, Cartoon Network aired Pee-wee’s Playhouse, drawing in 1.5 million viewers every night. These staggering numbers earned Playhouse a spot in the top 10 cult classics of all time, according to TV Guide. Perhaps it was this resurgence that prompted Reubens to reconsider Pee-wee’s relevance in the entertainment industry. In 2007, rumors abounded that Paul was looking to bring the eccentric character back to life in two possible films, including one that would take Pee-wee and his friends outside of the playhouse and into Puppetland for the first time. There was even unconfirmed talk of Johnny Depp playing the role of Pee-wee if Reubens felt too out of touch (pun intended) with the character.

Nothing more came of the possible collaboration, as the movies never went to production. Maybe Pee-wee’s return to the stage will decide if this decade is ready for a film revival of the cult character. At the very least, let’s see if it can garner the same level of zany praise that The Hollywood Reporter once gave the original, “Anyone who deliberately avoids the pleasure of seeing The Pee-wee Herman Show would probably be willing to go through life without Christmas, cornbread, Haagen-Dazs, and puppies.” 
 

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