As writer David Ng points out in his Culture Monster blog on the Los Angeles Times Web site, “Some out-of-towners expressed frustration over canceled airplane and hotel reservations. Others complained about the more expensive ticket structure at the Club Nokia. For a while Pee-wee was one very unpopular comeback kid.”

But Reubens apparently learned his lesson about the importance of good public relations after the, ahem, “unfortunate incarceration” that resulted in the semi-demise of the character (not to mention the comedian’s career) in the early ’90s.

Sooo – he promised to meet each and every one of the people who had originally purchased tickets for the show, explaining “I want to grovel to them in person.”

Reubens’ camp sent an e-mail to every person who exchanged tickets for the Music Box show with instructions on how to take advantage of his promise.

“To Pee-wee’s Very Best Fans,

Thank you for staying with us through the move from the Music Box to Club Nokia! Pee-wee wants to meet YOU after the show and here’s how you do it:

When you arrive at the main entrance to the Club Nokia (3rd floor) for The Pee-wee Herman Show, go towards the box office. Outside the box office you will see a Check-in table. Bring your ID and tickets to that table. Our guest services staff will give you a wristband and stamp your ticket so that only you and ticket buyers for the Music Box can attend.

At the end of the show, move to the bar area on the main floor of the club. Keep your ticket stub and make sure you do not lose your wristband. The Club staff will guide you from there.

Sincerely,
The Pee-wee Herman Show”

Presto! Instead of the new location being a bummer, fans now get an exclusive treat. And just think, it didn’t even require the services of Jambi the Genie.

Read David Ng’s L.A. Times blog here.