Gabrielle Stravelli and Brandon Cutrell Join THE MEETING*, 1/19

Gabrielle-Stravelli-and-Brandon-Cutrell-Join-THE-MEETING-119-20010101

The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre, called "a riotously funny and campy variety show" by Next Magazine, and "a rollicking, wry affair complete with funny political commentary on current events" by Gay City News, will present their newest edition on Thursday, January 19 at 9:30 PM. The Meeting* – the monthly gathering of the I.O.S. (International Order of Sodomites) – is a gay romp through politics (sexual and otherwise), social news, music, comedy skits, and other important life-changing information. Justin Sayre and The Meeting* were named one of the Top 10 nightclub shows of 2011 by Time Out New York and received a 2011 MAC Award nomination for Best Male Comedy Performance. Each edition of The Meeting* honors a different gay icon; the January show will include a tribute to Dolly Parton featuring special guests Nath Ann Carrera, Gabrielle Stravelli, Brandon Cutrell and Danielle Grabianowski.

The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre operates under the myth of the "gay agenda" and is structured as any organizational meeting for homosexuals would be – business of the day, upcoming events and social issues are discussed, ridiculed, and interwoven between comedy sketches, musical numbers, and other "homo-hijinks." In addition to writing the show, Justin serves as the Chairman of the I.O.S., the centuries-old secret organization of homosexuals and their friends. He says, "I wanted a show where we could have a good laugh at ourselves, while getting some information out there. The Internet is great and easy to create a virtual community, but I think so much more is done in person, face to face. Plus if you can get a laugh, well that's just heaven." Audience response has been ecstatic.

Past "agenda items" have addressed current issues such as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in "Serving In Silence: The Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer Story," the continuing romantic saga of gay penguins at the San Francisco Zoo, and a guide to the so-called "Gay Panic" defense. The monthly events have featured popular guest stars such as Frank DeCaro, Natalie Joy Johnson, Kenny Mellman, Randy Rainbow, Maude Maggart, Jack Ferver, Murray Hill, Jeffery Self and Cole Escola, Molly Pope, Steve Hayes, Bridget Everett, Poor Baby Bree and more.

In June 2011, The Meeting* presented Night of A Thousand Judys at Joe's Pub honoring the iconic entertainer Judy Garland, its second annual all-star benefit for The Ali Forney Center – the nation's largest organization dedicated to serving homeless LGBT youth. The sold-out evening featured performances by Jackie Hoffman, Daisy Egan, Paul Iacono, Gay Marshall, Jeff Hiller, Emily Bergl, Ryan O'Connor and more. Yale University presented a special edition of The Meeting* this spring as part of their Pride Month. Justin's official monthly podcast of The Meeting*, co-hosted by I.O.S. Secretary and MAC Award-winner performer Matt Sigl, is available at www.themeetingpodcast.blogspot.com.