Justin Sayre Hosts THE MEETING* with Special Guests, Natalie Douglas & Colleen McHugh, 5/17

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, May 17 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 chosen as a "Voice Choice" in The Village Voice, named one of the Top 10 nightclub shows of 2011 by Time Out New York, received the 2012 Bistro Award for "Comedy Artistry" and a 2011 MAC Award nomination for Best Male Comedy Performance. The special Mothers Day edition of the show will honor the smothering mothers that made us gay, featuring musical guests Natalie Douglas and Colleen McHugh.

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 Lea DeLaria, Christian Campbell, Frank DeCaro, Lady Rizo, Tituss Burgess, 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. This year's Night of A Thousand Judys, again directed by Ben Rimalower, will take place at Playwrights Horizons on June 18, 2012.

Yale University presented a special edition of The Meeting* last spring as part of their Pride Month. The official International Order of Sodomites monthly podcast , co-hosted by Justin and the I.O.S. Secretary and MAC Award-winner performer Matt Sigl, is available at www.themeetingpodcast.blogspot.com.

Justin Sayre demonstrated a supernatural instinct for "camp" at an early age. Justin is a child of Forty Fort, Pennsylvania who moved to New York believing it was still 1947. He was terribly misinformed. In 2006, Justin received rave reviews for his solo show "Without A Song." As an actor, he has worked and studied with some of the finest professionals in New York. As a gay, Justin has excelled at scarf placement, devilish quips, and a healthy but firm love of the American musical. He has also performed at Comix, Symphony Space, "Our Hit Parade" at Joe's Pub and at the Leslie/Lohman Gallery for their Tennessee Williams 100th Birthday Celebration, curated by illustrator Robert W. Richards. Justin contributed a story about Justin Bond for Radical Faerie Digest – one of the oldest gay publications in the country. In 2011, two of his short plays were presented by the "Fame and Shame on the LES" performance series. Last summer he was chosen as a 1st year fellow for the Queer |ART| Mentorship, working with Everett Quinton of Charles Ludlam's Ridiculous Theatrical Company, to develop a new play. A new show of his short plays, Justin Sayre Is Alive and Well… Writing – called one of the "Top 10 Events on the New York Stage" by the New York Daily News – sold out two shows at Ars Nova in April. In September, he will host a special centennial performance event to celebrate Harry Hay, co-founder of the Mattachine Society, at New York's Center for Gay and Lesbian Studies. This June, Justin will narrate Stravinsky's "The Soldier's Tale" at the Greenwich Music Festival. Justin also writes for the screen with writing partner James Hawkins.

"If you fancy yourself a smart, funny homosexual, you simply have to attend The Meeting*", according to Frank DeCaro of Sirius XM Radio, "But while you're sitting there sipping a Brandy Alexander, don't imagine yourself to be smarter, funnier or gayer than host Justin Sayre because you're not. He's as sharp as they come, hilarious as all get out and even Oscar Wilde would have told him to butch it up – which makes this fearless leader of the I.O.S. a most commanding presence on stage."

The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre will be presented at The Duplex, located at 61 Christopher Street at 7th Ave, New York, NY 10014, on Thursday, May 17 at 9:30 PM. There is a $10 cover charge and a two-drink minimum. You must be 21+ years of age to attend. For reservations, please visit www.theduplex.com. The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre is produced by Adam J. Rosen and Dan Fortune.

Photo Credit: Christian Coulson