I got to see the Pee-wee Herman live stage show this week, and I highly recommend going. You can still get tickets for the L.A. performance, which runs through early February. Talk about a trip down memory lane. If you are even the slightest Pee-wee fan, you’ll enjoy it. The set is amazing—an exact replica of the original playhouse. As soon as the curtain went up, the audience roared at the sight of it.  I would have LOVED a chance to play on the set. Or at least take a picture of it. But cameras were not allowed. So you’ll have to see for yourself. It’s worth it!

Most of our favorite characters were there:  Jambi, Cowboy Curtis, Miss Yvonne, Chairy, Magic Screen, Clocky, the King of Cartoons and way more. Lynne Marie Stewart reprised the role of Miss Yvonne which she played on both the TV show and in the original Groundlings stage show (which also starred the late Phil Hartman). Yes, she is still the most beautiful woman in Puppetland. And of course, Paul Reuben’s performance as Pee-wee was just like watching him back in the day on Pee-wee’s Playhouse. Reubens IS Pee-wee.

The story was in typical Pee-wee fashion—silly and simple. For the most part it was G-rated. Although there were a couple of subtle jokes thrown in there about global warming, gay marriage, and that thing Paul Reubens did in a movie theater years ago, which brought a lot of chuckles. Silly Pee-wee.

Enough of my raving, here’s the scoop on tickets:

Date of Performances: Now through February 7^th (times vary)

Location: Club Nokia in Downtown L.A.

Cost: From $30 – $125

For more info on directions and purchasing tickets, visit www.clubnokia.com or www.peewee.com.

Pee-wee’s History

“The Pee-wee Herman Show” debuted at The Groundlings Theatre in 1981, then moved to the Roxy Theatre on Sunset Strip for five sold out months. Taped as part of HBO’s On Location series, the show catapulted Pee-wee into the national consciousness. It lead to Pee-wee’s many appearances on “Late Night With David Letterman,” followed by a 22-city tour that included Carnegie Hall. In 1985, Warner Brothers brought Pee-wee to the big screen with “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure”, Tim Burton’s feature film debut. Co-written by Reubens, it featured Danny Elfman’s first original film score.

The CBS television series “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” premiered in 1986. During its five seasons, the show garnered 22 Emmy Awards. Pee-wee’s second film, “Big Top Pee-wee” was released in 1988. While “The Pee-wee Herman Show”, and “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” were an homage to an earlier generation’s television classics – “Howdy Doody,” “The Mickey Mouse Club,” “Captain Kangaroo,” “Kukla, Fran, and Ollie,” and “The Shari Lewis Show” – Pee-wee himself became one of the most original and beloved stars in all of television history.

Photo Courtesy of peewee.com

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