A special installment of Justin Sayre's variety show The Meeting*, the annual event serves as a benefit for the Ali Forney Center and its mission to assist LGBT homeless youth.
Sayre wrote the show, which he also hosts. Show time is 8 PM. Lance Horne musical directs the evening that promises skits, tributes and songs from Garland's acclaimed career. Check out videos from last year's event here.
The evening features Carolee Carmello (Scandalous, Parade), Justin Vivian Bond (Kiki & Herb), Lea DeLaria (Rocky Horror Show), Telly Leung (Godspell, "Glee"), Jaime Cepero ("Smash"), Scott Matthew ("Shortbus"), Natalie Joy Johnson (Silence!, Legally Blonde), Nancy Anderson (Far from Heaven, Wonderful Town, A Class Act), original "Weather Girl" Martha Wash, Tony Award nominee Christiane Noll (Chaplin, Ragtime), nightlife performer Molly Pope, Madeleine Peyroux, Karen Mason (Wonderland, Hairspray), Danielle Grabianowski (Sleep No More), Tituss Burgess (The Little Mermaid), Everett Quinton (The Mystery of Irma Vep), Nathan Lee Graham (Hit the Wall), Maude Maggart, Rachel Shukert, John Early and Becca Blackwell.
"The work of the Ali Forney Center is crucial to young LGBT people in New York," Sayre said in a statement. "It enables them to thrive and grow in a healthy and warm environment, where they are celebrated for their identity rather than chastised for it. Life may have dealt you a raw hand, but there are people out there to help you through it. In her film roles and in her personal life, Judy Garland embodied an innocence and a resilience that still thrills young and old alike. She had tragedy in her life and yet she continued to give herself to a public that adored her. If Judy Garland was the comeback kid, The Ali Forney Center is the comeback place. I can't imagine a better combination."
The event is produced by Adam J. Rosen and Dan Fortune. Ticket are $30, $60 and $100 (which includes a VIP pre-show reception at 6:30 PM and a gift bag). For tickets click here. The Kaufman Center is located at 129 West 67th Street.
