Pee-Wee's Playhouse was one of my absolute favorite shows as a kid; my brother and I used to watch it religiously on Saturday mornings. Apparently the show that I thought of as just plain awesome silliness was also a critical success, winning 17 Emmys in a 5 season run. Take a look at the Wikipedia page; it's quite riveting, with quotes like this:
As soon as it first aired, Pee-wee's Playhouse fascinated media theorists and commentators, many of whom championed the show as a postmodernist hodgepodge of characters and situations which appeared to soar in the face of domineering racist and sexist presumptions.Who knew I was ingesting such high-minded ideals along with my Saturday morning cereal? But looking back, it was really the aesthetics of the show that appealed to me. Interestingly, Paul Reubens (actor and creator of the Pee-Wee character) was hugely inspired by the 1950s TV of his childhood.
And no character was more alluring and captivating to me than Miss Yvonne, played by Lynne Stewart (who is also in the Broadway cast! Squeal!). I thought she was easily the most beautiful woman in the world, and her dresses were pure eye candy.
I used to love that show!!! I had no idea it was on Broadway - have a great time!!! By the way - I love both dresses, but the yellow seems more Miss Yvonne-ish :)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for the pee wee/ judd apatow movie he is making! Miss Yvonne better be in that. I was also always partial to chicky baby.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, yes, yes. I got the entire series on DVD for my birthday this past year. Bliss!
ReplyDeleteMiss Yvonne is an absolute style icon! Loved her and Cowboy Curtis. Meka leka hi meka hiney ho!
ReplyDeleteThe yellow dress! But of course now I'm sad you changed your coral petticoat into a lining ruffle, or you could wear it underneath. Are you going to rat your hair until your bouffant kisses the sky?
ReplyDeleteI also loved Dixie, who would introduce The King of Cartoons with her bugle!
ReplyDeleteYes, I watched it as a kid and when I was in my teens my parents bought the full set on VHS! Watching it as a teen was a lot different than when I was a kid; there are many adult jokes in there that just fly over the top of the average child's head! There was one where the word of the day was "watch" and Pee-wee is having a slumber party. Ms. Yvonne comes over and says she's going to change into her pyjamas and Pee-wee says, "Can I watch??" of course, this joke is buried by the whole house screaming because he said the word of the day!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, have a great time at the show, what a fun present! I'd go for the yellow dress, it's lovely!
I AM SO JEALOUS!!!!
ReplyDeletewhatever you wear, i hope you accessorize it to the nines, miss yvonne might catch you sparkling out in the audience and bring you into the playhouse, oh dream of dreams :)
Yes of course the yellow dress!
ReplyDeleteHubby and I were just telling the kids the other day that when we were first married (and hip deep in law school), our entertainment (when not studying) consisted of watching Pee Wee's Playhouse on Saturday mornings.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful time! I have a friend who is one of the stage managers, and he is having a blast and has only good things to say about the cast. (That always adds to my enjoyment of a show, knowing there are lovely people involved!)
ReplyDeleteHUGE Pee-Wee fan. We worked our schedules around it and videotaped the episodes. My daughter loved the show. As an adult I was captivated by the silliness combined with risque humor. I was a little surprised it was allowed on tv, to tell you the truth. Enjoy the show!!
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I hope you have a BLAST! Pee Wee's Playhouse was my favorite show growing up. I have never been a morning person, but i forced myself to get up on Saturday mornings since it was on at 5.30am! Sometimes my parents would take pity on me and tape it :)
ReplyDeleteI think your dress is perfect. Miss Yvonne would approve!
Oh god, I was obsesed with that show. One of my friends & I still talk in the Peewee voice to each other, it's pretty special haha
ReplyDeleteYou must tell us all about the show! I bet it's a blast!
ReplyDeleteOH I'M SO JEALOUS!!! (Wail from the SF East Bay.) What a most, most excellent gift. We own the DVD set and have never regretted it. Sometimes a family just needs to all scream at the word of the day, know what I mean? Do definitely wear the yellow!
ReplyDeleteOMG! I am sooo jealous that you get to see Pee Wee on Broadway tonight! I loved that show when I was a kid! Def. go with the yellow!
ReplyDeleteI love Pee Wee so much! I live in Australia and unfortunately not many people have heard about it :( Have you ever seen Pee Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special? It has guest stars like Grace Jones, Joan Rivers and Zsa Zsa Gabor on it! And Miss Yvonne has an amazing Christmas outfit accompanied by a beehive hairdo with mistletoe and tinsel.
ReplyDeleteStill have my Pee Wee talking doll somewhere abouts!
ReplyDeletePee Wee was my favorite show when I was a kid! I hate it when people dismiss him because of what happened when he got arrested. I am so glad he is making a come back on Broadway! I heard he's going to be in a new smurf movie too!
ReplyDeleteMiss Yvonne? Whoa, I hadn't heard her name for YEARS, and yet the mere mention of her brought back unmistakable memories. Ha!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that yellow dress of yours, if I were you'd I'd probably wear it every day. :D
I was lucky enough to have seen and watched a million times a bootleg copy of the stage show before the he got hs Saturday morning TV show. I later met the guy who played Hammy. He was the lead singer in an LA Rockabilly-type band. He told us some hysterical stories about the lady who played Miss Yvonne. She is as much a character in real life as she is onstage. Have fun, Lucky Girl!
ReplyDeleteWhoa. Sorry for all the typos. Proofread much? Yikes. ps I like the yellow dress, too.
ReplyDeleteI loved the show--and so many talented performers were in it. Hope you have a great time. The yellow dress is a vision. Stay warm!
ReplyDeletei am so jealous! really loved PeeWee when i was a student. i would love to see him. i do have a signed Miss Yvonne picture. let us know what it is like and the yellow dress looks glorious on you. Captain Coral will be after you.....
ReplyDeletei need to come to New York
I think that show has avoided mainland Europe when I grew up, so i have no idea what you're talking about!
ReplyDeleteBut, I love the yellow dress, really gorgeous!
Oh my goodness! My boyfriend gave me the same present, we saw Pee-Wee last night too!!! I about flipped when I saw your post today....LOL! I'm a long time reader, never poster...but I just had to say Hi! from a NYC costumer, Buffy-lover,Unicorn and cat lover: Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI wish I had known. I was the wardrobe supervisor for the Pee Wee Show. I'm also a new reader. I'm going to forward this to Lynne.
ReplyDelete__melissa
Wasn't it fantastic?! I took my mom and we both teared up when Mr. Herman walked on stage. We sang along to his opening number and screamed real loud!
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