Guest post by Lawrence Pfeil, Jr.:
Justin Elizabeth Sayre’s all-star homage to the legendary Judy Garland returns this month for its 11th annual Night Of A Thousand Judys.
The “over the rainbow” Pride concert benefits The The Ali Forney Center, the nation’s largest agency dedicated to helping LGBTQ homeless youth.
With special skits, tributes, and songs from her legendary career as movie star, recording artist and stage performer, Night Of A Thousand Judys will take place at Joe’s Pub on Monday, June 12.
“A rambunctious, uproarious, unpredictable all-star concert”
– The Wall Street Journal
The dazzling lineup of performers includes: Tony Award winner Lauren Patten (Jagged Little Pill), T. Oliver Reid (Hadestown), jazz vocalist Hilary Kole (Carnegie Hall, Blue Note), Jack Bartholet (Bistro Award winner), rising star Jae W.B., Julie Benko (Funny Girl), Telly Leung (Aladdin), Alexandra Silber (Fiddler on the Roof), Carole J. Bufford (BroadwayWorld’s “Vocalist of the Year”), and Elizabeth Ward Land (Scandalous) and Nellie McKay.
The evening is written and hosted by Justin Elizabeth Sayre, directed by Peter James Cook, and choreographed by Jason Wise, featuring Drew Wutke as the event’s music director.
Night Of A Thousand Judys is produced by Dan Fortune and Adam J. Rosen, with Dan Fortune serving as executive producer.
Justin Elizabeth Sayre, Writer & Host @justinelizabethsayre“We are thrilled to be back celebrating Judy’s legacy and the great work of The Ali Forney Center,” comments Justin Elizabeth Sayre. “This year is especially important since our friends at AFC are in the process of expanding their reach.”
The Ali Forney Center is the only provider of specialized housing and support services to disconnected, high-risk LGBTQ+ homeless youth in New York City.
Annually in New York City, there are more than 5,700 homeless youths according to the NYC Youth Count in 2021, and the program offers services to a large number of them, over 2,200, at their 24/7 Drop-In Center and 17 emergency and transitional housing sites.
To meet the increasing numbers of homeless LGBTQ+ youth seeking support, AFC has reimagined the “Drop-In Center” to coincide with its upcoming
move in June 2023. This new centralized location in midtown Manhattan allows for space to accommodate their youths’ increasing needs.
Anyone unable to attend the event can donate directly to The Ali Forney Center HERE.
Night Of A Thousand Judys
Monday, June 12 at 7:00 PM
Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater, 425 Lafayette Street (at Astor Place) New York City
Tickets are available at Joe’s Pub HERE.
Lawrence Pfeil, Jr., is a freelance writer/playwright who has written for media outlets including The Randy Report, the New York Blade, and Edge Publications. You can follow him at TheOUTfront.com.