Theater News

Paul Reubens at Work on New Pee-wee Herman Film

Paul Reubens
(© Joseph Marzullo/Retna)
Paul Reubens
(© Joseph Marzullo/Retna)

Paul Reubens — best known for creating and performing the role of Pee-wee Herman — is co-writing a new feature film about the character, according to Variety. Paul Rust will be his co-writer, and the film is being developed by Judd Apatow.

Reubens’ The Pee-wee Herman Show will play Broadway’s Stephen Sondheim Theatre, October 26-December 5. Alex Timbers will direct the production, which will feature music by Jay Cotton and the work of puppetry artist Basil Twist.

The character of Pee-wee Herman was originated by Reubens in 1981 at the Groundlings Theatre, in a show aimed at adult audiences. Reubens achieved national fame with the release of the film Pee-wee’s Big Adventure in 1985, followed by a children’s television show, Pee-wee’s Playhouse, during the late 1980s.