The Pee-wee Herman Show on Broadway

Reubens is getting a bit old for this, but Pee-wee's innocence, infantilism and camp haven't dated--there's a rebel in the ridiculousness. [21 Mar 2011, p.46]

It's a long pull that can be fun and funny--and more than a wee bit tedious.

Even lensed for TV, the special isn't wholly satisfying, but for anyone who visited "Pee-wee's Playhouse" in the late '80s, the experience is good enough. As for those who might say dismissing the show at that is snobbish, I know you are, but what am I?

While it seems apparent that seeing the show live would be a hoot, it doesn't translate to television all that well--it just feels shrunken and confined by the medium.

While the acting and jokes are still solid, it's clear this particular iteration was meant for the stage.

Although it is 90 minutes long, it feels much longer, and the truly smart laughs are few.

For the most part, The Pee-wee Herman Show on Broadway is stale sugary shtick on a candy-colored set with no new resonance--no undercurrents about childhood, or innocence, or even Pee-wee Herman.