Strained Voice Forces Benatar to Cancel Show

The Irvine Barclay Theatre will have to wait a while longer for its baptism as a rock ‘n’ roll venue.

Pat Benatar, who was to have done the honors last Sunday night, canceled because of a strained voice, concert promoter Joe Pastorelli said Tuesday.

“She was really upset,” said Pastorelli, a rock guitarist whose Orange County-based band, White Lies, had organized the show. “She got on the phone [from her hotel room] and was real apologetic.”

For White Lies, the concert was to have been the first step in an unorthodox plan to earn $75,000 promoting concerts by name rock attractions, then plow profits into promoting its own upcoming CD.

Pastorelli said Benatar’s road crew already had set up her equipment when word came Sunday afternoon she wouldn’t be able to perform.

Pastorelli said the show was close to selling out the 750-seat Barclay, which never had staged a full-on electric concert by a rocker.

Tentative plans call for Benatar to play a makeup date Aug. 20 or Aug. 22. It was unclear Tuesday whether the promoters might have to change the venue from the Barclay, which is scheduled for regular maintenance and repairs during August, to the 2,500-seat Freedman Forum in Anaheim.

If the show is moved to the Freedman Forum, Pastorelli said, fans with tickets to the postponed show may receive a two-for-one offer if they hold onto their tickets. Otherwise, refunds are available through Ticketmaster (714) 740-2000, or through the Irvine Barclay Theatre’s box office, (949) 854-4646.