THE MEETING* Hosted by Justin Sayre Debuts On Fire Island 8/27

By: Aug. 17, 2011
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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 Fire Island debut on Saturday, August 27. The monthly gathering of the I.O.S. (International Order of Sodomites) will begins at 10:00 PM, with the performance starting at 11:00 PM, followed by the Sausage and Showtunes party at 12:00 Midnight. The $20 suggested donation includes open bar and light fare. The acclaimed comedy/variety show is a gay romp through politics - sexual and otherwise - social news, music, skits, and other important life-changing information. Justin Sayre and The Meeting* were nominated for a 2011 MAC Award for Best Male Comedy Performance. The May show will feature guest vocalist Molly Pope.

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, Murray Hill, Jeffery Self and Cole Escola, Molly Pope, 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, Randy Rainbow, Emily Bergl, Ryan O'Connor and more. Yale University presented a special edition of The Meeting* this spring as part of their Pride Month. The Meeting* will return to its regular monthly spot at The Duplex in the West Village on September 22 with a tribute to Madonna. 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.

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 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.

Molly Pope is a critically acclaimed vocalist and actress whose solo shows have played Joe's Pub, Ars Nova, The Laurie Beechman Theater and the Adelaide Cabaret Festival in Australia. Hailed for her "viscerally thrilling alto" by Time Out New York, she is a regular guest at The Meeting* and has performed in the hit long-running Top Ten countdown show "Our Hit Parade" over 25 times at Joe's Pub. Other concert and live appearances include Cafe Panache at The Griffin, Foreign Affairs at the Night Hotel, Tingel Tangel Club and frequent guest hosting at Mostly Sondheim at The Duplex. On stage she has appeared as Regan in King Lear (Gallery Players/Players Shakespeare), Colleen/Sanchez/Sequins in Bromance: The Dudesical (Caroline's on Broadway, 92Y Tribeca), Maria in Twelfth Night: The Drinking Game (Legitimate Theater Co) and Fran in the tour of Swing For Victory (Lively Arts). On camera work includes "Law & Order: SVU," Secrets of the Mystic Oracle, Hunting and Evie's Big Break (both at Big Apple Film Festival).

"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 debut in the Fire Island Pines on Saturday, August 27 at 10:00 PM. The event will be at 457 Fire Island Boulevard. There is a $20 suggested donation. For more information, email info@themeetingshow.com. The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre on Fire Island is produced by Dan Lavender/Lively Arts, Adam J. Rosen and Dan Fortune.



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