'Pee-wee Herman Show' Sparks Nostalgia On Opening Night

NEW YORK — Since his '80s heyday, Pee-wee Herman has earned quite a wide variety of fans. And on Thursday night, some of his more famous admirers, from Susan Sarandon to Wendy Williams, graced the red carpet on the opening night of "The Pee-wee Herman Show" on Broadway. Many shared fond memories of watching Paul Reubens' alter ego during his early "Playhouse" years.

"I remember watching him every Saturday morning with a hangover in bed in Baltimore and getting up early the one day I don't have to get up to watch Paul Reubens," director John Waters told.

Sarandon, who said she expected the show to be incredibly creative and inventive, echoed Waters' nostalgia for the children's show. "It was such a breath of fresh air in terms of the style of the piece, and I remember thinking how great it was that there was something that parents could laugh at that their kids are enjoying," the actress said.

TV personality Williams brought her family along, including her 10-year-old son, who was especially excited to meet Pee-wee.

"Paul Reubens is brilliant, and Pee-wee is just amazing," Williams said. "Families these days, we're always looking for something to do. You know, a lot of the things that a 10-year-old would choose to do would make parents want to yawn, and a lot of the things that parents want to do are not necessarily appropriate for kids. This is perfect."

The limited-engagement show is scheduled to run on Broadway until January 2.