The gang's all here, more or less. From a distance, Paul Reubens looks exactly the same as when many of us first encountered him on his hit Reagan-era Saturday morning kids' show. His fantasy kitsch cabin has been rendered in exacting detail, and puppet master Basil Twist has anthropomorphized all the old objects marvelously. Lynne Marie Stewart is back as Miss Yvonne, and though Laurence Fishburne couldn't be coaxed onstage as Cowboy Curtis, the actors who played Mailman Mike and Jambi the Genie in the original live show are on the scene. The antics are manic, the colors are primary, and many of the best old bits from the hit series have been meticulously recycled. And yet, and yet... the packed playhouse still feels sort of empty. I know you are but what am I?
Opinionist: The Pee-wee Herman Show
Photos: Pee Wee Herman Plays Basketball at West 4th Street
Just after 12 p.m. today, Pee Wee Herman tweeted, "That was great! Now popping by @foursquare HQ and then HORSE at the basketball cage at 12:30 - 4th st and 6th ave." And lo and behold, there he was, right on time. Upon arrival, he dutifully checked into Fourquare, joking, "I can't wait to press this button...but it's AT&T so I'm going to have to." Ah, topical humor! The crowd that gathered was comprised of enthusiastic Pee Wee fans, and they were quick to boo a heckler who shouted, "You're the guy who touched himself in the movie theater!"
Pee Wee's Big NYC Adventure: Katz's Deli to Little Italy
As you no doubt know, Paul Reubens is bringing a stage version of his Pee Wee Herman Show to Broadway this month. (Check out some photos from the colorful production.) The beloved TV star took a break from rehearsals today to play tourist in downtown Manhattan, getting lunch at Katz's Deli ("I'll have what Wee's having?"), wandering around Chinatown and Little Italy, and getting his photo taken on the steps of the Tweed Courthouse (which he misidentified on Twitter as City Hall).
Week in Rock: Superchunk Edition
There are some classic indie bands all of us take for granted, bands who've been around so long they seem like institutions. Maybe it's because they don't put out records very often anymore, and they've fallen off the what's-in blog radar, or maybe it's because some of them are more consistently excellent than they are challenging at times. They're still some of the best bands performing today, bands such as Yo La Tengo, Lambchop, Super Furry Animals, and especially, Superchunk.
Pee Wee Is Coming to Broadway, People!
After a successful run in LA in January, a theatrical adaptation of the ironic classic TV show Pee Wee's Playhouse will transfer to Broadway in October. The production will mark Pee Wee creator Paul Reubens's Broadway debut, as well as the Broadway debut of director Alex Timbers, whose Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson has been an Off Broadway hit. The limited six week engagement is inspired by Reubens's 1981 TV show, and according to the production's publicist, the show reunites Pee-wee Herman (Reubens) with many of the original Playhouse cast of characters, including Miss Yvonne, Cowboy Curtis, Pterri the Pterodactyl, Jambi the Genie, and Chairry.
Pee-wee's Big Adventure...in Brooklyn
Finally, Pee-wee Herman and his beloved "keenest bike in the world" have made it to Brooklyn. NewYorkShitty has a shot of the pair, along with some underwear, on a wall on North 6th Street. Pee-wee has been seen on the walls of Williamsburg before, but sans bike. And now, take some time out to watch this Queen soundtracked homage to Pee-wee Herman's bike.
Pencil This In
EXPLORE: Last call to visit the historic Governors Island this season! Free ferry rides depart hourly right next to the Staten Island Ferry terminal. Sitting 800 yards off the southern tip of Manhattan and about 400 from the Brooklyn waterfront, it isn't often you can get a view of the city and a house like that one to the right all from the same place.
Noteworthy Televison This Week: Almost all your life is channel thirteen
A look at some noteworthy television programs this week:
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