The Pee-wee Herman Show to HBO, March 19

By April MacIntyre Feb 28, 2011, 21:37 GMT

Debuting Saturday, March 19 (10:00-11:30 p.m. ET/PT), the HBO presentation THE Pee-Wee Herman Show on Broadway was shot at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre in New York in January, immediately following the conclusion of the show’s exclusive Broadway engagement.

Pee-wee Herman is back on TV.

HBO brings Paul Reubens' classic character to the smallscreen. Three decades after his first HBO special, Reubens returns to the network in an exclusive presentation of his recent hit Broadway show. 

Debuting Saturday, March 19 (10:00-11:30 p.m. ET/PT), the HBO presentation THE Pee-Wee Herman Show on Broadway was shot at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre in New York in January, immediately following the conclusion of the show’s exclusive Broadway engagement.

From HBO

Opening to critical acclaim at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre on Nov. 11, 2010, and wrapping its run Jan. 2, “The Pee-wee Herman Show” featured 90 minutes of subversive humor and childlike wonder, based on both Reubens’ original stage show, “The Pee-wee Herman Show,” and the Emmy-winning Saturday morning TV show, “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” which became a cultural phenomenon. 

The New York Times called the new Broadway show “yummier than chocolate,” with New York saying, “Welcome back, Pee-wee!  You were sorely missed,” while the New York Post noted, “The audience screams for joy!”

The Broadway production of “The Pee-wee Herman Show” starred (in order of appearance):  Paul Reubens as Pee-wee Herman, plus John Moody (Mailman Mike), Drew Powell (Bear), John Paragon (Jambi), Jesse Garcia (Sergio), Phil LaMarr (Cowboy Curtis), Lynne Marie Stewart (Miss Yvonne), Lance Roberts (King of Cartoons) and Josh Meyers (Firefighter). 

Reubens also brought the Pee-wee character to the big screen in “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” and “Big Top Pee-wee.”

This HBO special reunites Paul Reubens and Marty Callner, who directs this new HBO special and directed the 1981 HBO special  “The Pee-wee Herman Show.” 

Callner’s previous HBO credits include comedy specials starring Sandra Bernhard, Will Ferrell, Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, George Carlin and Robin Williams.

Credits

Production created and conceived by Paul Reubens; written by Paul Reubens and Bill Steinkellner; additional material by John Paragon; music by Jay Cotton; directed by Alex Timbers; based on the original “The Pee-wee Herman Show” by Paul Reubens, Bill Steinkellner, Phil Hartman, John Paragon, Edie McClurg, John Moody, Lynne Marie Stewart, Ivan Flores, Brian Seff, Monica Ganas, Tito Larriva.  David Korins’ production design is based on the original “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” production design by Gary Panter.  Cristina Waltz’s make-up design is based on the original “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” by Three time Oscar winning makeup artist Ve Neill and the costume design is by Ann Closs-Farley.

Renowned writer-director-producer Judd Apatow recently announced that he and Reubens are developing a new feature film based on the character.

Other HBO playdates:  March 21 (2:00 p.m., 9:45 p.m.), 24 (4:30 p.m., 12:30 a.m.), 27 (3:45 p.m.) and 30 (11:00 a.m., 6:30 p.m.), and April 2 (noon), 4 (11:00 p.m.), 8 (7:30 p.m.) and 13 (8:00 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates:  March 20 (5:30 p.m.), 25 (2:30 p.m., 10:00 p.m.), 29 (3:55 a.m.) and 31 (4:30 p.m., 11:40 p.m.), and April 6 (11:30 a.m., 1:25 a.m.), 11 (12:30 p.m.) and 16 (10:30 a.m.)