Paul Reubens (Theater BFA 73) returns to Los Angeles’ Wiltern theater on Feb. 27 and March 1 during the 35th anniversary tour of Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985).
Ruebens co-wrote and stars in the quirky classic film that was directed by fellow CalArtian Tim Burton (Film/Video 79), marking Burton’s feature film directorial debut. The film, which follows Herman as he treks across the country in pursuit of his stolen bicycle, was a critical and box office success, earning $40 million domestically and cementing Pee-wee Herman’s status as a household name.
Tour tickets initially went on sale in December 2019. Due to overwhelming demand, second shows have been added in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York, and a new show added in Phoenix. Each event kicks off with a screening of Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, followed by Reubens sharing stories about the film’s production with the audience.
Reubens created the iconic childlike character while a member of the famed Los Angeles improv group the Groundlings. The Pee-wee Herman Show, Reuben’s breakthrough stage production, premiered at The Groundlings Theatre and moved to The Roxy Theatre for an unprecedented five-month run. Reubens went on to co-write and co-direct Pee-wee’s Playhouse, which aired on CBS and racked up 22 Emmy Awards, followed by Big Top Pee-wee (1988) and Pee-wee’s Big Holiday (2015).
See information for the LA shows below and the full lineup of upcoming shows here.
Event Details
Pee-wee’s Big Adventure 35th Anniversary Tour
Thursday, Feb. 27 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 1 at 7:30 pm
The Wiltern
3790 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles
Tickets