Pee-wee Herman fans are going all out for "Big Adventure" 35th anniversary tour

For its 35th birthday, the quirky cult classic Pee-wee's Big Adventure is traveling the U.S. on a multi-city tour with its creator, Paul Reubens.

As I write this, the Pee-wee's Big Adventure 35th Anniversary Tour with Paul Reubens is about halfway through its now (nearly) sold-out tour and, let me tell you, the fans are bringing it. From handmade costumes, signs, and crafts to decking out their dogs (or kids) and decorating their nails, the amount of creativity folks have been bringing has been incredible to see.

I saw the show in San Francisco a little over a week ago and it. was. FANTASTIC. I was buzzing for two days afterward.

The great:

-- Electric vibe. Our phones were locked in a pouch for the event (not a biggie), which made us all really present. You could practically see the crowd's anticipation in the air;
-- I won't spoil the surprise but the special pre- and post- movie footage made my eighties-lovin' heart burst with joy;
-- The film absolutely stands the test of time - no question. In some ways, it felt like I was seeing it for the first time, spotting things I had never noticed before;
-- It was a real happening. Folks were yelling out lines, singing, and hissing (at antagonist Francis Buxton, of course). much like a screening of Rocky Horror;
-- Some fans wore costumes inspired by characters in the Pee-wee universe, everything from Big Adventure to the Playhouse (more on that below);
-- Fun selection of merch, including some adorable Big Adventure candy hearts;
-- and last, but by no means least, the stories Paul told about the making of the film were terrific and inspiring! And I think he would have been happy to tell lots more if the venue didn't need to close for the night (He did reveal that a memoir is in the works).

The not-as-great?

-- There's no intermission during the roughly four hours of the event (which really just means you need to plan a pre-show bathroom break because you won't want to miss a thing);
-- My face literally hurt from laughing so hard and I gave myself a headache from all the excitement.

Truly, those are my only "complaints," as the entire evening was entertaining from soup to nuts. Top notch.

Now for some photos...

San Francisco (She-wee Herman!):

WHAT A NIGHT! THANK YOU, SAN FRANCISCO!! (That's SHE-wee Herman in the big picture!) #pwba35sf #PWBA35 #peeweetour: https://t.co/2gklR4e9Vw

: @blazenhoff @justthetips510 pic.twitter.com/RYpMc7M2kI

- Pee-wee Herman (@peeweeherman) February 29, 2020

Also SF (scroll for my friend Jo Anne's neat-o Shrinky Dink earrings!):

View this post on Instagram

All 6 of us Yada siblings, plus our brother-in-law and 9-year-old niece got to see Pee Wee's Big Adventure on the big screen with a lively crowd and appearance by Paul Rubens!! This is huge because for 35 years we have been quoting this movie and would watch it constantly on VHS. I made Shrinky Dink earrings and buttons for us and Allie dressed up as She Wee Herman! We threw yarn at the scene when Pee Wee loses it in his basement ("aaand knitting aaaaand knitting aaaaaand knitting...") and we threw rubber snakes when he rescued the real snakes from the burning pet store. We got scolded by security (heeeee)! Michael may or may not have put on a blond wig during the Twisted Sister scene but our phones were locked so there's no evidence. So fun seeing everyone there and at the Tonga Room pre-party. Horaaaay!!! #pwba35sf #peeweetour #amazinglarry

A post shared by JoAnne Yada (@joanneyada) on Feb 29, 2020 at 1:47am PST

Dallas (Can you spot the Cowboy Pee-wee?):

DALLAS - CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH! #PWBA35DAL #PWBA35 pic.twitter.com/NIb8HLDpY4

- Pee-wee Herman (@peeweeherman) March 9, 2020

Here's a closer look:

Thank you @peeweeherman for coming to Dallas! #PWBA35DAL pic.twitter.com/aXT2t8LmiI

- Cory Thigpen (@wmthigpen4) March 9, 2020

Seattle:

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!!Wow, these fans at the Seattle show really outdid themselves!! #PWBA35SEA #PWBA35 #Peeweetour : Nicole McNeil

A post shared by Pee-wee Herman (@peeweeherman) on Feb 17, 2020 at 10:00am PST

Also Seattle, "wee Pee-wee":

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Say hello to this Pee-wee... emphasis on the "wee"!!! #PWBA35Sea #PWBA35 #Peeweetour

A post shared by Pee-wee Herman (@peeweeherman) on Feb 15, 2020 at 8:55pm PST

Denver brought one too:

View this post on Instagram

THIS KID!! (THANK YOU, DENVER!!!) #PWBA35DEN #peeweetour #PWBA35

A post shared by Pee-wee Herman (@peeweeherman) on Feb 22, 2020 at 1:38pm PST

Phoenix:

PHOENIX!! IT WAS REAL... REALLY FUN! THANK YOU!!#PWBA35PHX #PWBA35 pic.twitter.com/eOeBrFItCu

- Pee-wee Herman (@peeweeherman) March 8, 2020

Austin:

THANKS FOR KEEPING IT WEIRD LAST NIGHT, AUSTIN!! #PWBA35AUS #PWBA35 pic.twitter.com/CcHbJXFfpJ

- Pee-wee Herman (@peeweeherman) March 8, 2020

Let's look a little closer at that a-mazing Mr. Breakfast costume (by Kasi Kubiak):

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35-year dream come true!!! I just had to take my @peeweeherman doll, which yes, I still have in my possession! Kasi, my costume role model, absolutely killed it tonight as Mr. Breakfast! . . . . . #mrbreakfast #peeweeherman #peeweesplayhouse #austin #acllive #thehautetamale #pwba35aus #pwba35

A post shared by Lucia Briones (@lucybri83) on Mar 6, 2020 at 5:41pm PST

And that Large Marge crocheted doll by Allison Hoffman (aka Craftyiscool):

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That means the Large Marge you were riding with was.... HER GHOST. I spent way too long making this stop motion #largemarge #craftyiscool #amigurumi @peeweeherman #pwba35 #pwba35aus #allisonhoffman #crochet #stopmotion @timburton @acllive

A post shared by Allison Hoffman (@craftyiscool) on Mar 6, 2020 at 10:32am PST

San Antonio remembered the Alamo:

THANKS, SAN ANTONIO!! Many of you actually REMEMBERED to go to the @OfficialAlamo!! WOW! (#Todayinhistory: TODAY is the ACTUAL DAY To #rememberthealamo! https://t.co/PFyXLgSkja) #PWBA35ALAMO pic.twitter.com/iyjAixzTfV

- Pee-wee Herman (@peeweeherman) March 6, 2020

And to dress up like Satan's Helpers biker gang:

Charo and Elvira (Cassandra Peterson) showed to one of the two L.A. shows!:

LOS ANGELES, THANKS *AGAIN*!! AND SPECIAL THANKS TO THESE LOVELY LADIES!! #PWBA35LA2 #cuchicuchi #isayyouletmehavehimfirst #pwba35 pic.twitter.com/KjbBKhktWX

- Pee-wee Herman (@peeweeherman) March 2, 2020

There are 12 shows (10 cities) left on the tour, starting with Atlanta this Thursday, March 12. If you're a Pee-wee Herman fan and have the means, I recommend getting to one of them before the tour's over. But, be careful, there are hoards of ticket scammers on social media, esp. on Facebook. A site like SeatGeek should be able to get your "big but" in a seat (though check the official ticket page first).

Can't make it, or just want to follow along?
-- Follow Pee-wee on Instagram and/or the hashtag #PWBA35;
-- Listen to Paul Reubens talk on the most recent episode of the "Conan O'Brien needs a friend" podcast;
-- And, listen to the folks at Archie McPhee describe meeting Paul backstage at the Seattle show on their podcast!

photo by Lucy Briones