Fans of Pee-wee Herman angry over show's postponement

They were planning to fly to L.A. from all over the country just to see one of their beloved pop-culture heroes. But now many of them are left with dashed hopes and airline cancellation fees -- and they are not happy, to say the least.

On Tuesday, actor Paul Reubens announced that he is pushing back the opening of "The Pee-wee Herman Show" to January from November. He also said that the stage show would be moving to Club Nokia in downtown L.A. from the original venue at the Music Box @ Fonda in Hollywood.

"Man, this is the worst news ever," said Steve Gadlin, a lifelong Pee-wee fan who lives in Chicago. Speaking on the phone Tuesday, Gadlin said he had purchased an airplane ticket and front-row seats for the show for the day after Thanksgiving. This morning, the Web developer (and part-time comic and producer) said he requested a refund on his tickets to the show.

"I'm not over-dramatizing this just because I'm talking to a newspaper reporter. This the biggest bummer on the planet. For me, I had such a connection to Pee-wee growing up. But, you know, I'll live."

Lynn Margaret of Atlanta said in an e-mail that she and a friend had purchased tickets for two nights in November and had booked four nights in a hotel.

She said she had to pay a $75 cancellation fee on her flight and that her friend from Boston had to pay a $150 cancellation fee.

"But it's really not the money," said Margaret. "We're just so sad and disappointed.  It feels like being stood up by someone who was one of your very favorite people, to find out they blew you off to hang out with people that are fancier and prettier and richer or something."

Fans -- or maybe one should say former fans -- of Pee-wee Herman have been leaving angry comments on Culture Monster since the news broke yesterday. 

One commenter who identified himself as Kevin (and who did not leave contact information) wrote that he already spent $1,500 in travel expenses to see the show and that he may have to pay $300 in cancellation fees. 

"It is [apparent] that the only reason the venue has changed is because PEEWEE has become a money grubbing jerk," he wrote.

Scott Sanders, lead producer of "The Pee-wee Herman Show," said the decision to move the dates and venue was because the production is growing larger and more technically complex.

"Paul called me and said, 'I think we're outgrowing the space,' " said Sanders. "As a producer, it felt clearer to me that it would be difficult if not impossible to make it work there. It was a creative and artistic decision that evolved organically."

"The Pee-wee Herman Show" is a reconceived version of Reubens' hit '80s stage show of the same name that launched him into stardom. The new version of the show is set to run Jan. 12 to Feb. 7, pushed back from its original Nov. 19-29 engagement.

To disappointed fans, the producer said: "I'm sorry and, really, it was not a decision that was taken without a great deal of thought."

-- David Ng

Photo: Pee-wee Herman (Paul Reubens) in a scene from "Pee-Wee's Playhouse Marathon." Credit: Fox Family Channel

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Comments

[Yeah Pee Wee!]

Wow. Have these people never heard of rebooking a new flight for the changed location and changing their bookings? There is never a cancellation fee for that. If they are such big fans, why don't they plan to go for the new schedule? It's not like Pee Wee changed the plans at the last minute. There is over a month left to plan.

[Amber]

I'm so sad about this change. I was hoping it would be nice and intimate like his old show, but looks like it will be in a huge venue where everyone will need binoculars. I was jazzed about coming hundreds of miles to see Pee-Wee, now I'm not sure I'll bother to exchange my formerly good seats, I've heard so many horror stories. I don't buy the stuff about the show creatively outgrowing the space, I saw you on Leno, Pee-Wee, saying it was because the tickets sold out, so don't try to tell us it is just that the show is so GOOD it can't fit into the Music box. You should have honored your run there, then gone on to bigger places if demand was still high. This is a cheap move and a cruel blow to the many fans who have loved you through thick and thin.

[Larry Vaughn]

I worked at a theatre (Asolo Center for the Performing Arts) in Sarasota, FL where Paul used to participate in shows. More power to ya, Pee Wee.

[Ironman Carmichael]

"I'm sorry and, really, it was not a decision that was taken without a great deal of thought."

A great deal of thought about how much more money they could make out of this.

They didn't even have the fairness to let us make the exchange online. Instead we're at the mercy of the Ticketmaster 800 number and their busy signal and disconnect click. I guess they figure Pee-Wee Herman fans have nothing better to do with their time than hang on the phone.

Save your money, folks. It'll undoubtedly be filmed for cable anyway.

[KC]

I, too, was super-psyched to see P.W. up close and personal, and I sprung for great seats. Now, however, with this whole "first-come, first-serve" replacement seating arrangement, I'll be paying what used to be top-dollar in the Fonda for sub-par in the Nokia. So, unfortunately, I'm taking the refund. Prior to this move announcement and similar to Pee Wee's bike, I wouldn't sell my seat to anybody for all the money in the world; not for a hundred million trillion dollars. Sadly, though, apparently he would--and just did. So, he'll have to roll the foil ball and talk to some furniture backstage all by himself and the Frances Buxton's of the world who can buy their way in. Au revoir, Pee Wee, au revoir.

[adaveandafan]

When I finally got through, they had no list of dates so I just had to randomly pick a date and they have no seating chart apparently, so you just get whatever you get. Make sure you ask Ticketmaster about the VIP section. Oh? Didn't know about that huh? Neither did I. Found that out reading a comment here on LA Times. I had bought tickets for a table pretty close to the stage, nice, awesome little table, but apparently at Club Nokia there's a VIP section that I guess is in front of where I am now. I got back on the phone, waited another 45 minutes, got through, asked about the VIP section...and lo and behold there is one. for more money...so I thought well, I've gone this far, might as well pony up, I've gone this far. SO I wince and agree to buy them BUT Ohhh wait!...I'm supposed to have a promotional code for that...didn't I know? didn't I get one? Nope...Aweee...guess I'm not enough of a fan, huh? oh well I LOVE YOU PEE WEEEEEEeee!

[Waldo Lydecker]

Agreed. This was a sordid attempt at greed (and I'm sure it's working). I doubt they ever intended to have it the HF. That venue would have been perfect (how big is the damn show that they had to move?!). The NokiaLive... gimme a break! Not for this show.

Don't bother calling Ticketmaster... the 1 800 653-8000 line has been BUSY all damn day. Call their other # first, and have them transfer you (1 800 745-3000).

A complete waste of time. And yes, the good seats you first got will probably be lousy seats at the Nokia (unless you pay extra).

SUX!

[OldRedJoe]

Did people REALLY spend money on Pee Wee tickets?

Jeez.

[Lee Doyle]

I would say to hell with him and boycott his show. He just screwed up a lot of people without realizing what an impact it has on them. Pee Wee Herman will probable open the show by himself without any audience. Stupid move. he deserves what he gets.

[Francis Buxton]

"YOU'LL BE SORRY, PEE WEE HERMAN!!!"

[John Christopher]

The decision to cancel the initial shows in exchange for a bigger venue was an awful thing to do. Shame on Pee Wee and the production company. I will be taking the refund.

Thousands of people have been inconvenienced by this decision. Many people have made travel arrangements that need to be canceled. This must be a PR nightmare. It is well deserved.

[Michelle]

This isnt really a big deal. If you are a pee wee fan you dont really care about cancelation fees. Im glad Im getting to see him live on stage and he is also working on letting people that already bought tickets see him back stage. Viva la Pee Wee Herman!

[Chris McQuay]

Michelle I wish I had the money to think like that. Coming in from out of town for 4 of us and with the ticket increase, loss of deposit on the Condo, change of flight increase we are looking at an additional 1500-1800 bucks. This is for seats that will not be the table up front in a smaller venue that I had already paid for. As a fan I would do it. As a person with 2 kids and a house payment I cannot.

[Doug]

The reason I wanted to see this show was BECAUSE it was being held at the Henry Fond Theater which is a really intimate space. It's too bad. I'm going to get a refund and spend my entertainment dollars elsewhere. (I think I will use the money to go see Mikka at The Paladium.)

[LynnMargaret]

Seeing SO SO many similar sentiments to mine, makes the kick in the stomach feeling a bit easier to bare!

Yes, I am going to roll over my refund into a savings fund to take a fun trip to see THE MIGHTY BOOSH, the next time they come around. Or jeesh, for the money I have spent and lost on Pee Wee I could probably just go see next European Mighty Boosh tour!

PeeWee? Passe. The Boosh is LOOSE!!!!!!

[jason]

i love pee-wee as much as the next guy, but wow. first-world problems, huh?

[Alycee Zubrod]

Choosing Steve Gadlin as the opener was perfect. Steve and I were on the same improvisation team in Chicago. Here I am in Pennyslvania years later reading about one of the most wonderful people I've known..pure of heart, witty, non-offensive, encouraging, honest...a performer that if Paul Reubens met, he would likely be saddened to know he crushed someone that makes lemons out of lemonade.
The past is only that now for myself as well; dashed hopes after booking pre-sale tickets around two surgeries and full-time school to see my childhood icon in an 'intimate setting' like the days of old school when Pee Wee performed his Christmas special, performed on the Gong Show, was a groundling working to make people laugh just like Steve Gadlin and myself...
my Ticketmaster fury has dissipated into a childlike disappointment. This is reality. We won't be sitting at tables two decades after seeing a legend on the television every Saturday. Just looking online at the Music Box setting versus a place named after a cellphone company reminds me that nothing is sacred.
My mother, a doctor of psychology, once asked a room full of people in church about their role models. Apparently the 'right' answer was someone you know and love. As a child, I crouched on my metal chair with my hand raised asking her if it was o.k. to have chosen Pee Wee Herman.
This show cancellation was more than a 'disappointment' to fans emotionally or financially. This, quite honestly, is like an obituary to innocence.
I'm no longer going to be the otherwise functional adult making Smores at a campfire in a Pee Wee Herman raincoat. Connect the dots "la la la la" will only be an homage when I draw with my nephews, not for the man whom participated in this choice to change venues, dates, and the minds of those whom love him.
I hope Paul Reubens remembers his impact upon us both positively and negatively. Even the promo code I entered for the original pre-sale as a member of his fan club (yeah, dork-tastic, I know).."1Hooray"...it's mocking me from the corner of my useless tickets.
Where's Jambi when you need him?
..sending love to all the dashed hopes of fans..Steve Gadlin the glorious, those whom are pissed, and those whom are fighting the urge to be so forlorned...
Alycee

[DP]

DAY 2: Still haven't gotten through on Ticketmaster 800 phone number

[Enraged]

I am truly angry and disappointed that this has happened. I purchased tickets the day they went on sale. This was going to be a family outing. I grew up watching Pee-wee and thought that this would be a great way to revisit those memories.

I spent the entire day trying to get through to Ticketmaster. At 5pm, I finally got through, only to wait on hold for 25 minutes. After finally reaching and speaking with a representative, midway through our transaction, she abruptly placed me on hold, and I was suddenly transferred to the ticket purchasing queue and she never came back. I spent a total of 58 minutes on the phone. I eventually hung up.

I no longer have any interest in supporting this event, or wasting the time and energy to exchange tickets I already purchased, despite the fact that I really, really wanted to go.

This is totoally outrageous and disappointing. Not only are the new seats more expensive, but the greedy pigs at Ticketmaster get to keep your original service charge and if you buy new tickets, there is an additional service charge.

How could Pee-wee do this to the people who actually took the time to purchase tickets when they originally went on sale, presumably his core group of fans?

Isn't there something we can do? This should be illegal. It's basically a bait and switch scenario.

Buy tickets to our show. Oh, actually, now that you've bought your tickets, we are changing the dates and location of the show, and you will lose money on the original tickets and you'll have to buy more expensive tickets if you still want to go.

How is this legal?

[YVickery]

I too was soooo excited to plan my trip, fly to L.A., stay at the Roosevelt, see some sights and see my favourite human being on the planet in a small setting with cabaret seating. I could hardly sleep the night before buying my ticket and I knew this was going to be a special event.
Now, it's all cancellation fees, and disappointment. I have no interest in the big production and I feel really screwed. So many of us supported him through everything and this is what we get?
And to people who are saying "what's the big deal?", well, you have no idea and must not be a true fan. Let us have our forum to complain and in a way, grieve our loss. Yes, the world will go on, but a bunch of loyal fans got really screwed over. I would have never expected this from our Pee Wee. Does he even realize how many people were flying in to see him? I'm sure the audience would have been 90% out-of-towners every night.
I'm sure I'm not alone in that I have no one to talk to about this who understands.....no one who shares my passion for PW. So, I'm glad the comments and anger are starting to go public because of this.