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The Pee-wee Herman Show! Live! On Broadway!

Last weekend, a lifelong dream of mine finally came true.  Not only did I see the interior of Pee-wee's Playhouse in the flesh (although it was most likely made out of formica), but I even breathed the SAME AIR as the one and only Pee-wee Herman!

I heard late last year that Paul Reubens had revived his Pee-wee character for a limited run of The Pee-wee Herman Show at the Roxy in Los Angeles.  I tried to find someone to accompany me out there for it, but there were no takers.  Not that I had to go with someone, but if I was going to see Pee-wee, nevermind the whole playhouse - I would need someone there to pinch me so I would know it was really happening!

I have been a die hard Pee-wee fan ever since his show Pee-wee's Playhouse began airing when I was six years old.  Some of my favorite childhood memories were of my Dad and I watching it together on Saturday mornings.  And not until recently - when I decided to rewatch some of the original Playhouse episodes - did I realize how much his show had an impact on my personality.  Everything from my taste and my sense of humor, to my love of kitsch, social commentary and all that's gay - seems to have been influenced by his show.  The music on the show was even made by Mark Mothersbaugh, the leader of what would eventually be one of my all time favorite bands, Devo! It was obvious that Pee-wee penetrated my very psyche in ways that I had not yet realized.

And when his 1991 arrest went down for masturbating in an adult theater in Florida, I was crushed.  Reubens denies the allegation, but it never mattered to me, even as a kid.  I was so upset for the way the media crucified him and made him look like some sort of creepy pedophile just because he had his own children's show.  Nobody does that to my Pee-wee! Here's an excerpt of me preachin' on his behalf in one of my zines when I was just a kiddo:

So, when I heard earlier this year that due to the success of his L.A. show, there would be a month long run of The Pee-wee Herman Show on Broadway, I had to be there! As soon as tickets went on sale, I grabbed two tickets right in the front for a whopping $500! I didn't care how much it cost me - I wanted to see Pee-wee's pores! Up close and personal with Pee-wee!!!

And even after my injury this year and all the hell I have been through, I refused to miss his show and even scheduled my surgery so I would have enough physical therapy and recovery time in order to make it down to New York.  We will never forget Pee-wee!

And it was well worth every penny and all the struggle for me to physically get there.  First of all, Macaulay Culkin walked into the lobby right in front of me and I can't believe how goofy I got.  I never realized what a Macaulay Culkin fan I was, but I suppose it was because of what a huge star he was when I was little.  Oh, and he was there with Seth Green.  Meh.  Not so much.

 (Above: Yours truly with a teeny tiny Macaulay Culkin and Seth Green over my shoulder.)

Once my friend and I were seated and the lights went down... Pee-wee came out, and the only light in the room was a spotlight on him standing in front of the curtain RIGHT IN FRONT OF US... and then the curtain was raised to see THIS:

 

(Above: The magical stage from The Pee-wee Herman Show.  I couldn't find a picture of the Broadway set so here is one from the show earlier this year in Los Angeles.  Deal with it Missie!)

BAM!

The second that curtain went up, I felt like a little kid again, filled with wonder and excitement.  It was the playhouse right before my very eyes! Chairry was there, and Conky, Clockey, Mr. Window, Pterri, Globey, Magic Screen and even that bad ass Randy! Out of the original cast there was Miss Yvonne and Jambi, original characters like Cowboy Curtis and the King of Cartoons made an appearance and there were a bunch of new faces as well.  There was even a Penny stop-motion cartoon shown on a screen that lowered down and an 1960's era instructional film which taught the crowd about good manners (with special sound effects added - hee hee).  

I don't want to talk too much about the details of the plot or my favorite bits of the show in case you are going! I hate spoilers.

After the show was over, we waited by the stage door to see if Pee-wee would eventually come out.  And low and behold he did! Armed with a handheld loudspeaker, he talked about what a great audience we were and how much each show really means to him.  He kept repeating this over and over and spoke so earnestly about how he doesn't want us to think he takes his fans or anything for granted and how our support is so special to him.  Then he said, "I think you guys are really cool."

Then the crowd was silent for a few seconds.  So I yelled, "We think you're cool too Pee-wee!" Just like Miss Yvonne or Chairry would.  It was awesome.  Awww, shucks Pee-wee.  Thanks for such an unforgettable night!

Respect! Michael C. East

Respect! will be an ongoing series of posts I write about someone who means something to me.  It will always be someone who has made a impact on my life or who has been a major influence of mine... or even someone who is just a downright good Joe to be around.  Anyone who has reflected beams of kindness from their heart to my head is a contender for this honor.  I think you get the picture.

"Even got the frame." -Agent Cooper

In our celebrity-obsessed culture, so many people receive recognition for doing absolutely nothing "right" or "good."  This was incredibly apparent today when I had the misfortune of watching my very first episode ever of "Jersey Shore."  I was appalled! These are the people I hear everyone talking about? On the streets and even on the news? These are the people on the cover of magazines? And they are famous? WHY?! Is anyone recognized because they have done something for the greater good? Made someone food while they were sick? Helped an old lady across the street? Saved a life? Passed a joint?

Its time to turn things around.

Today I will be recognizing the most important and special person roaming the planet today: my Dad, Mr. Michael C. East.

It remains a mystery as to what the "C." in his name actually stands for.  The story I heard was that his mom (my Grandma) wanted his middle name to be Charles and his dad (my Grandpa) wanted it to be Chauncy, so they just settled on the initial "C."  Not sure how accurate that is, but call him Chauncy and he will growl at you.  He sometimes insists that it stands for "Cash," which is meant to be funny 'cause he ain't got none.

 (Above: My Pops with the little owl he gave me before I went into surgery.  Awww.)

Recently, my Dad flew here from Chicago to be with me during my surgery and to take care of me in the days afterward.  I needed help and he was there.  He is the only person on the planet who would, for sure, with 100% certainty, have my back if I ever needed help.  Regardless of whether it be a flat tire or getting bailed out of jail (not that I ever have been!), he would be there.  And for someone who has experienced so much abandonment and loss in my life, his unconditional love means everything to me.  Other relationships have come and gone, but my Pappy has always been the one constant.  Ever since the day the meteorite landed on Mt. St. Helens (as it was erupting back in 1980) and broke into a million pieces to reveal the egg that I later hatched from, he has been by my side.

POP QUIZ!

Q: What are my two favorite things to do with my Dad?

A: Doing a crossword puzzle together while having breakfast at a diner and watching "Jeopardy!" together at a Chicago area dive bar.  A dream day would be to include both activities, with a drive around the city in between (ideally with my Dad's own historical/architectural commentary thrown in).

"You see that building there? That's the Prudential Building.  When I was a kid, that was the tallest building in Chicago." -Michael C. East 

"We know Dad." -Kids in unison

Alright, I know this is sounding cheesy by this point, but I just can't say enough good things about my Dad! He is the tops in my book.  Sure, he isn't perfect.  He isn't the best when it comes to being there emotionally.  Before he went back home a couple weeks ago, I cried and was telling him I didn't want him to leave and that I would miss him.  And he just kind of sat there silent and couldn't look at me.  I think he just has a tougher shell than me, and he keeps his feelings hidden.  So in a lot of ways we are different.  But since he is so tough on the outside, when he says something like, "You know your Pappy loves you" or "You're my number one gal sugar" its really means a lot. 

My Dad hasn't had an easy life.  I know things were tough for him growing up as the son of a WWII veteran who was an alcoholic and a pretty mean one from what I have heard.  He was born in California, but then his family came out to Illinois when Grandpa was stationed at Fort Sheridan.  Then he met my Mom and they got married... I am not sure if he ever wanted to have kids, but then I came along and my brother Mike.  He certainly didn't plan on raising us on his own after my Mom went splitsville.  Things weren't exactly easy for me either when I lived with him.  But I know he was just doing the best that he could.  During that time, he went through the deaths of two brothers and both of his parents -- silently.  He never talked about what was going on, how he was feeling, or what he was experiencing.  And I never saw him cry once.  Except that one time he got a little misty eyed when we were watching Old Yeller.  Sometimes I wonder what he would say if he could better describe his emotions.  I wish I knew that part of him better.  Hopefully I will someday.

This is why this kind of recognition is so important.  For me to be able to express how I feel about amazing individuals not only feels great, but also gives special and often times overlooked human beings the props they deserve!

So respect Michael C. East, you heard?! If you see him walking around the streets of Skokie, Illinois - shake the man's hand! Or if you see him at the end of the bar, his beer of choice is MGD.

I wouldn't be who I am without you.  Geek Girl wouldn't be here without you either! Thanks Dad.