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Pee-wee's Big Adventure 35th Anniversary Tour With Paul Reubens on Tour
In 1985, comedian Paul Reubens brought his geeky man-child alter-ego Pee-wee Herman to the big screen with Pee-wee's Big Adventure — a colorful fusion of fun-loving, family-friendly road-trip flick and bizarro-world midnight-movie experience that both delighted and (thanks to a certain creepy truck driver named Marge) bewildered a generation of kids. The film has gone to become a multigenerational cult classic, and to mark its 35th anniversary, Pee-wee is once again hitting the road — for a multi-city American tour where screenings of the film will be followed by a live Q&A session with Reubens. Like a DVD-commentary track brought to life, Reubens will share behind-the-scenes stories of the film's creation — the perfect chaser to another round of "Tequila!"
Pee-wee's Big Adventure 35th Anniversary Tour With Paul Reubens Background
As a member of legendary Los Angeles improv troupe The Groundlings, Paul Reubens developed his irrepressibly manic Pee-wee Herman character as a caricature of a cluelessly bad comedian, decked out in a tight gray suit and nerdy red bowtie. In the early ‘80s, the Pee-wee persona gained notoriety through a popular stage revue, The Pee-wee Herman Show, an irreverent spin on a '50s-era kids program that was a lot more risqué than the childish humor for which he would become famous. After filming the show for a 1981 HBO special, Pee-wee became a recurring guest on Late Night With David Letterman, and gradually transformed from fringe figure to national star. In 1985, Reubens teamed up with a then-unknown young director named Tim Burton to adapt his puppet-populated universe into a feature film about Pee-wee's cross-country search for his stolen vintage Schwinn. The result, Pee-wee's Big Adventure, was more kid-oriented than Reubens' stage show, but thanks to Burton's visual ingenuity, still plenty surreal. While not exactly a blockbuster smash in its time, the film was successful enough to spawn the beloved Saturday-morning program Pee-wee's Playhouse, which ran on CBS from 1986 to 1990. And though Reubens retired the character shortly thereafter, the cult of Pee-wee Herman has only continued to grow in the decades since, as parents introduce new generations of kids to his uniquely eccentric charms.
What a great experience! Watching the movie with everyone and the before and after movie experience with the vintage footage was so amazing! I loved all the details Paul Reubens shared after the movie as well! Truly a unique and priceless experience!
Having Paul talk to the audience about his movie was one of the best live experiences I have ever had within the walls of a theater. Paul’s willingness to share his memories with us made for a magical evening-one that I will never forget. Thank-you Paul for taking your 35th anniversary on the road-you are the very best gentleman-and I will never forget this night!
Paul Reubens is a wonderful, funny and humble man. We just love him and want to see it again!!
It was a great experience! Paul (Pee-Wee) led the whole conversation, sharing tidbits about the movie, how it was made, and various other stories. It was a once in a lifetime type experience, definitely worth my time and money!
The show itself was soooo fun, I loved it. BUT I have one complaint...I had floor seats and was very disappointed that the seats were not staggered so that I could see between the two people in front of me. Instead...I had the back of a tall dude's head right in front of me. I was constantly leaning to either the right or left to see what was going on.
What a great evening my son and I enjoyed! The screening of "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure" was preceeded by a video look-back from its original opening night, where Paul Reubens, in character, interviewed the various celebrities on the sidewalk as they stepped out of their vehicles in front of the theatre. It was a such a kick enjoying the vintage footage. Then during the movie, our boisterous and joyous audience said the memorable lines along with the actors. Afterward, Pee-Wee (from backstage) introduced Paul Reubens, who sat down in a chair on the stage with a pile of notes on his lap. He informed us that, "This is not a Q & A. This is an A. I don't want your questions." He smiled and proceeded to regale us for over an hour with great stories and footage from the movie. He was funny and personable and the audience loved him. The only part I didn't like was that Security locked up our phones in a bag for the duration of the show so we couldn't "take a picture -- it'll last longer!"
I didn’t know what to expect, just that I loved the movie and the character of Pee Wee Herman. I really enjoyed the experience - Paul Ruebens, the additional content, the crowd. I don’t want to spoil it for you. If you love Pee Wee, you’ll have a great time.
I have to say, I was expecting Paul to bring out a guest or two...or a prop, or have more of a show atmosphere. What we got was the movie (a great movie, no question) played on a small screen to a huge room and a few Mtv videos. Then Paul talked alone on a dark stage for over an hour. Was it ok? Sure. Was it worth $75 plus? No way. And this is coming from a HUGE Pee Wee fan. This could have been done at a movie theater (think the Alamo Drafthouse or IMAX) with better results for half the money. At least the movie would have been a good experience. I was hoping for so, so much more. I can't imagine the people who paid hundreds and hundreds of dollars. Disappointing.
So happy we went. My sister and I thought the entire experience was sweet and funny. We were so excited we cried a few times. We grew up watching Pee Wee, it was really great to not only see the movie in a theater, but also hear from Pee Wee himself and learn somethings about the movie we didn’t know. It was definitely worth the money! Would go again.
What a surreal experience! It sure was something being surrounded by other mega Pee Wee fans. Best movie-watching experience of my life. I wouldn't trade it for all the money in the world!
Because Paul Reubens was a 5 star show, my review is of the Masonic. My complaint with the Masonic is they never removed or raised the speakers residing above the stage. This blocked the view of almost everyone who was in the balcony. The supervisors informed me they were aware this would be an issue but with a sold out show, gave no alternatives other than getting your money back. Website never advertised this as an issue when purchasing tickets. If you are going to the Masonic to see a non movie - this is a great venue. If you are going to see a movie here, be warned you may not get a good view of the movie screen and will not get any portion of your ticket price back!!
Great to watch a great piece of 80s memories with fans of Pee Wee. No intermission to go to the bathroom. Live talk was lacking energy, focus, or humor. Paul just sat there spinning background stories. Felt like what might have been DVD extras from way back when. The “show” aspect needs some energy, spicy revealing stories, or something.
Per Wee’s Big Adventure is always fun years later. The stories after the film were great insight to the making of the movie.
Imagine that you are with 1800 like minded people who have the same sense of humor. Then imagine they know all the best lines. Being in a large group of people laughing so much, and so loud, then quoting the movie as you go! Priceless! This was the absolute best experience watching a movie I've ever had. Then, the star tells you stories and makes you laugh in person. GREAT! Huge win! Highly recommended to any Pee-Wee fan!
35th Anniversary of Pee Wees Big Adventure. Paul Rubens spoke after the movie for almost two hours relating stories qbout on set and and the creative processes behind the production. He also spoke about Phil Hartman and how very funny he was as well as running into people years later that worked on the movie that weren't in the big roles. To a person it seemed like everyone still carries a lot of pride being able to say they were in a movie with Pee Wee Herman! Fantastic show!!!
The MTV red carpet footage was a treat and it was fun to watch Pee-wee's Big Adventure again, but the 90 minute block with Paul - directly after those elements with no break - was excessive. Forty-five to 60 minutes of Paul talking would have been better and it would have been fun to have at least 3 or 4 submitted (pre-event) questions peppered throughout the session would have kept the energy level up. Overall the Answer session was mostly a miss.
Truly one of the greatest experiences of my life! Have seen this movie easily 1000+ times and what a joy having it hosted by Paul Reubens! Will never forget it!! Excellent crowd as well!!
The experience of watching the film with fans was amazing however the speech that followed was long and felt like it dragged on forever.
It was an amazing time with amazing fellow fans of Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. Seeing Paul speak after was just icing on the cake. An amazing experience.
Great experience. To have had been a part of. It had laughs and since touching moments. Vintage clips and awesome Q&A (minus the Q;).