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.  After moving to NYC at age 18 in 1980 Michael 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. After 33 years in New York, Michael relocated to Kansas City, where he premiered his one-man show, I’m Hollywood, at KC Fringe. Michael is also in films:  CORVALO, Keeper and Love Shadow, Connections, and the documentaries Portrait of an Artist, and Man of 1001 Faces. Michael McQuary played seven characters in 2022's television comedy series, 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 Saturday Night Live in 1978. Arias appeared at downtown venues   Club 57 with John Sex, and Ann Magnuson. Joey can be seen in the films: Wigstock: The Movie, Big Top Pee-wee, Mondo New York, Elvira: Mistress of the Dark, Flawless, and To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. Arias starred in Cirque du Soleil's Zumanity at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. After six years, Arias returned to NYC where he starred in Arias with a Twist, with puppeteer Basil Twist at HERE Arts Center. 

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!


WMM presents Michael McQuary + Joey Arias & Queer Performance in NYC in the '80s, '90s, & beyond. Broadcast June 11, 2025 on KKFI - Kansas City (Part 2)

On the next Wednesday MidDay Medley, June 11, 10 to Noon on KKFI 90.1 FM. Michael McQuary returns to WMM for a Special Pride Show about Queer Performance in NYC in the '80s, '90s, & beyond.  After moving to NYC at age 18 in 1980 Michael 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. After 33 years in New York, Michael relocated to Kansas City, where he premiered his one-man show, I’m Hollywood, at KC Fringe. Michael is also in films:  CORVALO, Keeper and Love Shadow, Connections, and the documentaries Portrait of an Artist, and Man of 1001 Faces. Michael McQuary played seven characters in 2022's television comedy series, 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 Saturday Night Live in 1978. Arias appeared at downtown venues   Club 57 with John Sex, and Ann Magnuson. Joey can be seen in the films: Wigstock: The Movie, Big Top Pee-wee, Mondo New York, Elvira: Mistress of the Dark, Flawless, and To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. Arias starred in Cirque du Soleil's Zumanity at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. After six years, Arias returned to NYC where he starred in Arias with a Twist, with puppeteer Basil Twist at HERE Arts Center. 

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!


WMM presents Michael McQuary + Joey Arias & Queer Performance in NYC in the '80s, '90s, & beyond. Broadcast June 11, 2025 on KKFI - Kansas City (Part 1)

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