The Meeting* Hosted By Justin Sayre Honors Judy Blume 2/16

The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre will present their newest edition on Thursday, February 16 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* received a 2011 MAC Award nomination for Best Male Comedy Performance. Each edition of The Meeting* honors a different gay icon; the February show will include a tribute to author Judy Blume and will feature special musical guest Natalie Joy Johnson.

About the show: "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.

About Justin Sayre: "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. 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 July 2011, two of his short plays were presented by the “Fame and Shame on the LES” performance series. This 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. Justin also writes for the screen with writing partner James Hawkins."

About Natalie Joy Johnson: Natalie Joy Johnson made her Broadway debut originating the role of Enid Hoopes in Legally Blonde: The Musical. She then went on to play Paulette, the UPS loving manicurist in the First National Tour of Legally Blonde. Other credits include the role of Nadia in the Off-Broadway cult hit Bare: A Pop Opera, the 2001 National Tour of Godspell (singing "Bless The Lord" on the cast recording), as well as her feature film debut as Madge the secretary in the comedy When In Rome. Natalie has performed her own one woman show in various clubs all over Manhattan, including Feinstein's at Loews Regency, Joe's Pub and Ars Nova. Her latest act, Natalie Joy Johnson Is Relentless played to sold-out audiences, and earned her the distinction of being named one of Time Out New York’s top 10 Downtown Divas. www.nataliejoyjohnson.com

“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, February 16 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.