Got Happy: My First 'Night of a Thousand Judys'
Justin Elizabeth Sayre, Jay Armstrong Johnson and Nathan Lee Graham graced the place — Charles Busch gave good face
June 2, 2026
I’ve never been to Fire Island, Provincetown or Saugatuck, but I’ve finally made it to another famous gay enclave — the annual Night of a Thousand Judys!
Held at Joe’s Pub June 1 and produced by Dan Fortune and Adam J. Rosen, the event pays homage to the grit and raw talent of Judy Garland, and always features a bevy of gifted singers performing tunes that pay homage to Judy, Judy, Judy.
Best of all, it’s always in support of homeless LGBTQ+ youth, with proceeds benefiting the Ali Forney Center.
Justin Elizabeth Sayre was, once again, the host with the most clever wordplay. The comedy was sharp and hopeful amid a world of doomscrolling. Justin also belted “When the Midnight Choo-Choo Leaves for Alabam” (unlikely to be covered by Ariana Grande) and “Last Night When We Were Young.”
Jay Armstrong Johnson, who was stepping out on his time killing it as Ilya in Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody, wore a sheer top (or maybe it was vers) as he took us through the classic “Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart.”
Danielle Grabianowski and Alysha Umphress provided back-to-back diva moments via “More Than You Know” and “As Long as He Needs Me,” and Adam Kantor and Leah Siegel bravely took on the iconic dueling-song duet “Get Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again.” They nailed it.
Adorable Stephen Tartick was the night’s first honoree, taking home the Good Judy Award for his generosity as an industry LGBTQ+ leader. His speech, in which he quoted William Goldman’s infamous 1967 review of not only Judy at the Palace but also of the queens supporting her at the Palace, was both warm and a riot.
Perhaps the show’s highlight came with an out-of-this-world rendition of “You’re Nearer” by the incandescent Nathan Lee Graham Wow — Nathan owned that stage from the moment he positioned himself on his stool, one leg extended like an elegant kickstand.
Handsome Claybourne Elder followed with an inspired version of “The Trolley Song,” one which relied upon his choice of an audience member to play off of — and he chose well! Honoree Charles Busch raved to me about this one.
I’m not sure if there was any intentional irony in his singing about a trolley after his The Gilded Age character got run over by a carriage!
Jae W.B. slayed with a torchy, tongue-in-cheek “Come Rain or Come Shine” before Charles took the stage to accept his Judy Icon Award. Following a fabulous speech befitting a true icon, he demonstrated why he was being celebrated as a living legend with his “If Love Were All.” Goosebumps.
Sherz Aletaha got us riled up again with “I Got Rhythm, but Aisha De Haas was the show’s home run with a mature, beautifully sung — and acted — “When the Sun Comes Out.”
The only rule of Fight Clu— I mean, Night of a Thousand Judys, is that nobody sings “Over the Rainbow” unless everybody does, so the whole event wound down with a heart-warming sing-along.
This is the kind of gay shit that Judy Garland would have loved, and that William Goldman would have hated! ⚡️