Wednesday MidDay Medley
TEN to NOON Wednesdays – Streaming at KKFI.org
90.1 FM KKFI – Kansas City Community Radio
Produced and Hosted by Mark Manning

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

WMM presents Michael McQuary + Joey Arias and a special show about Queer Performance in NYC in the ’80s, ’90s, & beyond.

Michael McQuary returns to WMM for a Special Pride Show about Queer Performance in NYC in the ’80s, ’90s, & beyond. Michael grew up in Portland, Oregon. In 1980 he was awarded a scholarship to attend the New York Academy of Dramatic Arts. Michael performed on NYC stages at the River West Theatre, the Divine Theater and the Cooper Square Theatre. His one-man shows played the West Village cabarets, Eighty-eights, the Duplex, and the Trocadero. He premiered his show, The Secret Power of Fu Manchu at Cooper Square Theatre alternating the late-night spot with RuPaul & Mona Foote. Michael played downtown NYC clubs: the SoHo Grand, with Joey Arias & Susanne Bartsch, the Pyramid, Boy Bar, and Starlight Bar & Lounge. Uptown, Michael performed at Danny’s Grand Sea Palace, Don’t Tell Mama, The Bon Soir and Rick Talbots Ladies. Michael premiered his one-man production, Crystal Allen Strikes Back, by Jon Michael Johnson at Danny’s Grand Sea Palace. After 33 years in New York, Michael relocated to Kansas City, where he premiered his one-man show, I’m Hollywood, at KC Fringe Fest. Michael also works in film, starring in CORVALO for Mile Deep Films, Keeper and Love Shadow, for Bill’s Eye Cinema, MADEYE, Connections for Cooper Square Productions and two documentary films about his work: Portrait of an Artist for Cooper Square Productions and Man of 1001 Faces, for Taishi Studios. Michael McQuary also played seven characters in 2022’s television situation comedy, Daddy’s Divas on Amazon TV. He will soon be seen in the upcoming feature film by Patrick Rea, “Super Happy Fun Clown.” Michael McQuary will perform his one-man show, Sunday, June 15, at 2:00pm at Englewood Arts Center, 10901 East Winner Road, Independence, Missouri.

At 10:30 Mark interviews Joey Arias, avant-garde artist based in New York City, best known for work as a performance artist, actor, and cabaret singer, but also as a published author, comedian, stage persona and film actor. One of the original Groundlings in Los Angeles. Joey left for NYC in 1976 and embarked on a new career singing with his best friend Klaus Nomi on stage, in videos, and with David Bowie on SNL in 1979. Arias gradually became involved in the burgeoning 1980s performance art scene, appearing at downtown venues including Club 57 with John Sex, Ann Magnuson, Kenny Scharf, Keith Haring, and Basquiat. Joey also began a career in cabaret, channeling the vocal style of Billie Holiday. Joey can be seen in the films: Wigstock: The Movie with Lady Bunny, Jackie Beat, Debbie Harry, Leigh Bowery, and RuPaul. Joey is also in Big Top Pee-wee, a 1988 sequel to Pee-wee’s Big Adventure starring Paul Reubens as Pee-wee Herman. Joey is featured in Mondo New York with Karen Finley, Lydia Lunch, and Ann Magnuson; Elvira: Mistress of the Dark starring Cassandra Peterson as Elvira. Joey also has roles in Flawless, starring Robert De Niro and Philip Seymour Hoffman; and To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar starring Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze, and John Leguizamo. In 2003 Arias moved to Las Vegas, for Cirque du Soleil’s Zumanity at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino. In addition to starring in the show, he co-wrote two of the show’s songs. After six years, Arias returned to NYC where he starred in Arias with a Twist, with puppeteer Basil Twist at HERE Arts Center. The show was also produced in Los Angeles and Paris. Arias continues to perform in venues such as Joe’s Pub and Feinstein’s/54. Recently Joey released his new album, Past Present Future.

Joey Arias will share stories about his friendships with Klaus Nomi, David Bowie, Saturday Night Live, Andy Warhol, Pee Herman aka Paul Reubens, Lady Bunny, Cirque du Soleil and More! We’ll spin musical tracks from: Klaus Nomi, David Bowie, Joey Arias, Dana Gillespie, Yma Sumac, Kiss of The Spiderwoman, William Stromberg & Moscow Symphony Orchestra, and More!

On your local radio dial 90.1 FM or
STREAMING LIVE at: kkfi.org

Show #1099