With $3,000, most of which had been wired to him from his parents, and help from 60 people working for him, including three fellow Groundlings, Phil Hartman, John Paragon and writer/director Bill Steinkellner, Reubens created the show.
[citation needed] At home in his Puppetland playhouse, Pee-wee entertains his audience of "boys and girls" in a homage to low-budget 1950s’ TV kiddie-shows such as Howdy Doody and Pinky Lee.
Pee-wee spends the day with his friends and fellow citizens of Puppetland, including Pterri the pterodactyl, Mr. Knucklehead, Captain Carl, Miss Yvonne, Jambi the genie in a box, Clockey the USA wall-map and clock, Mailman Mike, Hammy and his sister Susan, Hermit Hattie, and the singing next-door neighbors Mr. and Mrs. Jelly Do-nut.
During the course of his busy day, Pee-wee sings and dances, reads pen pal letters "from around the world" (including prison), conducts a hypnosis puppet act with a female audience member who undresses under his command, and shows a cartoon and a condensed vintage 1959 educational film about proper deportment called Beginning Responsibility: Lunchroom Manners.
Due to high demand and technical needs, the show moved venues from Music Box to Club Nokia @ LA Live with a run between January 12 and February 7, 2010.
It has several new characters, including handyman Sergio, firefighter Phineas, a talking horse named Ginger (replacing the Cowntess from the TV series), and a dancing-mute Bear.
The revival production was produced by Scott Sanders,[3] directed by Alex Timbers, with scenic design by David Korins and Gary Panter and original music by Jay Cotton.