The Marty Show

On this episode of The Marty Show, host Marty Milquetoast sits down with Lavon Chi, the Good Time Guarantee, a Savannah-based burlesque performer bringing the glamour, the good chi, and just the right amount of chaos to the stage. From discovering the magic of burlesque at the Savannah Burlesque Festival to teaching herself costume design, building elaborate acts, and pursuing her aerial performance dreams, Lavon Chi proves that you don't need a fancy degree to make a fabulous entrance. You just need talent, determination, and a willingness to occasionally fall off a stage.
 
Lavon Chi gets candid about her journey into burlesque, keeping her performer persona separate from her everyday life, and the never-ending quest to feel like a real performer. She also shares her performance horror stories, including mysteriously disappearing music in multiple cities and a dramatic tumble off the stage at Club One. The good news? She recovered, struck a pose, and carried on. The show must go on, even when gravity has other plans.
 
Marty and Lavon Chi also dish on dream performances, homemade costumes, creative inspiration, and why “It doesn't have to be perfect, it's gotta get done” is a mantra worth taking straight to the dressing room. Plus, find out which performer earns Lavon's admiration, what snack she'd happily meet her end by, why Adventure Time hits harder than expected, and how a tiny dog named Lilo-Pilo became her rock.
And, of course, there's plenty of Halloween Extravaganza excitement! Lavon Chi is preparing a special aerial performance for Marty Milquetoast's Halloween Extravaganza at Victory North in Savannah on October 31. Expect burlesque, drag, comedy, aerial acts, costumes, surprises, and enough fabulous weirdness to make your Halloween plans look painfully ordinary.
 
YEAH, YOU TAP THAT:
Here's Marty Milquetoast
Lavon Chi on IG
The Marty Show on IG
WATCH The Marty Show on YouTube
 
FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Welcome Back Marty Show
00:37 Halloween Extravaganza Preview
02:00 Sponsors And Ticket Info
03:38 Animal Fact Intro
04:23 Meet Lavont Chi
04:44 Choosing Performer Name
05:45 Finding Burlesque In Savannah
07:29 First Shows And Feeling Real
08:55 Thrill And Life Balance
10:20 Performance Horror Stories
12:16 Performer Shout Out
13:11 Marty Poll Rapid Fire
20:46 Ego Boost And Respect
21:33 Where To Find Lavont
22:00 Aerial Act At Extravaganza
23:07 Marty Praises Lavont
24:17 Final Thanks And Outro
 
 

Host Marty Milquetoast plugs the Marty Milquetoast Halloween Extravaganza at Victory North on October 31, promising a variety show with drag, burlesque, juggling, mentalism, comedy, a costume contest, and sponsors Starship Novelties, Savannah Paranormal Museum, and Hair Do Salon.
 
Guest Will Nunziata, a Savannah-based comedian/improviser/actor from New York, discusses getting into performing through college improv, joining a NYC improv group, and performing with Second City’s short-lived New York program, with his first professional show affected by 9/11. He explains why he keeps performing, balancing it with family life, and wanting to do more plays. Will shares two horror stories: a corporate hedge fund gig that bombed, including a hot-mic slip, and a humiliating cake-slip pratfall.
 
He shouts out local actor Nathan Houseman, answers “Marty’s Poll” (ice cream/Dairy Queen, dream role Hedwig, quotes, rewatch favorites, moving to Savannah during COVID, losing 30 pounds), recounts a Faye Dunaway encounter, lists credits including The Colbert Show and Red Dead Redemption II, and promotes Ghosted at Tybee Post Theater plus a Halloween-night character monologue for the Extravaganza.
 
YEAH, YOU TAP THAT:
Here's Marty Milquetoast
Ghosted Savannah
Will on IG
The Marty Show on IG
WATCH The Marty Show on YouTube
 
FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Halloween Extravaganza Plug
02:28 Meet Will Nunziata
04:18 Revolver Cocktail Chat
04:48 Origins of Performing
06:23 New York Improv Beginnings
08:15 9/11 and First Pro Show
09:46 Making It a Career
11:02 Why He Keeps Performing
12:04 Balancing Kids and Shows
14:47 Performer Horror Stories
20:57 Shout Out Nathan Houseman
24:25 Marty's Poll Begins
26:20 Dream Role Hedwig
27:53 Celebrity Encounters Setup
28:50 Celebrity Panic Moment
30:01 Faye Dunaway Showdown
31:49 The TV Poster Bit
32:42 Favorite Quotes Rapidfire
33:32 Rewatchable Movies Breakdown
35:28 Moving to Savannah and Dad Life
37:28 Joy Pride and Gratitude
38:58 Comedy Career Highlights
42:14 Ego Boost Roast
46:16 Where to Find Will
48:15 Halloween Tease and Wrap
 

Host Marty Milquetoast unbuttons the details on the Marty Milquetoast Halloween Extravaganza at Victory North on October 31 with tickets at victorynorthsavannah.com, and notes sponsors including the Savannah Paranormal Museum, Hairdo Salon, and Starship Novelties providing costume contest prizes.
 
He interviews Savannah-based operalesque performer Vandora Mahler, who combines opera singing with burlesque, explains her stage name’s family and Gustav Mahler influences, and traces her performing roots from childhood pageants and classical training to burlesque in 2022, where she began singing while performing.
 
Vandora discusses imposter syndrome, stage fright, balancing museum work with performing, horror stories from an open mic meltdown and a DJ gig that ended in assault, and her DJ work with Fearful Symmetry and Twitch streams. She gives shout-outs to Corbin Monoxide, Venus Van Dyke, and Astra, shares favorites, and lists Instagram handles vandoramahler and dj.vandora.
 
YEAH, YOU TAP THAT:
Here's Marty Milquetoast
Vandora on IG
The Marty Show on IG
WATCH The Marty Show on YouTube
 
FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
00:27 Halloween Show and Sponsors
01:54 Marty’s Bank Misadventure
02:46 Meet Bandora and Operalesque
03:33 Stage Name Origin Story
04:38 Britney to Pageants
07:01 Finding Opera Training
08:43 Burlesque Meets Opera
10:56 Coining Operalesque
12:09 Imposter Syndrome and Big Stages
13:46 Why Performing Hooks You
15:48 Day Job and Voice Care
18:29 Performer Horror Stories
21:50 DJ Debut Gone Wrong
25:07 How DJing Started
25:25 Goth Night DJing
26:26 Savannah Performer Shoutouts
29:39 Snack Talk Favorites
30:37 Dream Roles Wishlist
31:45 Celebrity Encounters
34:23 Mantra Favorite Quote
35:06 Rewatchable Horror Picks
36:00 Beating Stage Fright
37:26 Cats That Bring Joy
38:14 Winning Miss Savannah Goth
40:35 How Goth Found Me
42:47 Gratitude And Support
44:05 Creature Nerd And Music
45:55 Ego Boost Lovefest
47:52 Where To Find Vandora
49:08 Final Thanks Signoff
 

Marty Milquetoast interviews local Savannah improv comedian and performer Garrett Zayjac and promotes Marty Milquetoast’s Halloween Extravaganza on October 31, 2026 at 8:00 PM at Victory North Savannah, where Garrett will perform mentalism.
 
Garrett discusses how improv is his main focus, why he performs (“safety in attention”), and early performances including a fourth-grade weather video and a fifth-grade Black History Month assembly impersonation. He recounts first doing improv with Front Porch Improv at Bull Street Labs, feeling like improv is still “LARPing,” and describes bombing moments and onstage mishaps.
 
Garrett shouts out actor Ian Whitt, shares favorites (jalapeño chips, X-Files, Star Trek: TNG, sketch shows), and highlights producing Ghosted Improv, a haunted long-form show. He explains his upcoming Game Show Trolley tour concept and where to find Ghosted and the trolley online.
 
YEAH, YOU TAP THAT:
Here's Marty Milquetoast
Garrett Zayjac on IG
Ghosted Savannah
The Marty Show on IG
WATCH The Marty Show on YouTube
 
FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
00:36 Halloween Extravaganza Plug
02:44 Meet Garrett Zayjac
03:28 Why He Performs
04:47 First Performances Stories
08:38 First Improv Show in Savannah
09:27 Feeling Like a Pro
10:29 Why Improv Hooks You
12:03 Balancing Kids and Comedy
12:53 Performer Horror Stories
17:08 Shoutout Ian Whitt
19:40 Marty's Poll Begins
20:14 Snack Dream Role Celeb Encounters
21:40 Favorite Quote Setup
23:11 Absurd Comedy Philosophy
24:12 Comfort Rewatches
25:19 Launching Ghosted Improv
26:32 Tiny Joys Mochi
27:53 Proud Bug Girl Parenting
29:55 Grateful School Reset
31:43 Game Show Trolley Dream
35:26 Ego Boost Segment
36:22 Where To Find Garrett
39:40 Final Thanks Farewell
 

Marty Milquetoast introduces an episode featuring burlesque performer Arabica Black and promotes Marty Milquetoast’s Halloween Extravaganza with ticket info (victorynorthsavannah.com) and sponsors Hair-Do Salon Savannah (hair-docrew.com) and Starship Enterprises/Starship Novelties (8114 White Bluff Rd, open late).
 
Arabica explains her stage name comes from a love of coffee (arabica bean; “black” coffee), shares her path from childhood dance to burlesque, and recalls her debut at Club One on June 22, 2023 with numbers to Billie Eilish and Jessie Reyez, including a therapeutic act using a wedding dress and straitjacket.
 
She discusses balancing early coffee-shop shifts with late shows, winning 2024 year-end Star Search, and a Dyke Nights mishap. She shouts out Axel LeVer/Vivica Vidette, answers Marty’s poll (applesauce, potatoes, Gilmore Girls, favorite quote), describes performing a silent burlesque piece in an art gallery, and notes she’s on Instagram at @arabicablackx.
 
YEAH, YOU TAP THAT:
Here's Marty Milquetoast
Arabica Black on IG
The Marty Show on IG
WATCH The Marty Show on YouTube
 
FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
01:12 Halloween Show and Tickets
02:20 Sponsors Spotlight
05:15 Podcast Format and Stage Name
06:56 Becoming a Performer
09:29 First Burlesque Debut
12:53 Feeling Like a Pro
15:27 Why She Performs
16:36 Balancing Work and Shows
18:22 Performer Horror Story
20:47 Shoutout to Axel and Vivica
24:03 Marty's Poll Begins
24:57 Potato Love Talk
25:16 Dream Show Coffee Mug
26:53 Celebrity Elevator Surprise
28:07 Worst Days Quote
28:50 Comfort Rewatch Picks
29:48 Silent Burlesque Challenge
31:37 Pets And Small Joys
32:54 Stage Pride And Anxiety
36:03 Savannah Community Shoutout
38:38 Not Unapproachable Promise
40:25 Ego Boost Segment
41:46 Where To Find Arabica
42:39 Final Thanks And Wrap
 

Host Marty Milquetoast welcomes local drag queen Amara Fiyera, teasing his upcoming Marty Milquetoast’s Halloween Extravaganza on Oct. 31 at Victory North Savannah, announcing sponsor Hairdo Salon Savannah, and plugging “sponsor a skeleton” via martymilquetoast@gmail.com, plus the joke you were/are waiting for.
 
Amara shares she’s been doing drag nearly seven years, explains her name (Amara meaning everlasting; Fiyera inspired by Wicked’s Fiyero), and traces her performer roots from musical theater (first show Grease) to her first drag number in college ("Pulled"), fueled by the rush of the crowd.
 
She recalls finding her comedic niche with a Pennywise holiday-themed performance. Amara discusses avoiding burnout by scheduling gigs, tells two performance disasters (a Hinesville coffee shop with a restarted track; a Mario Kart duet where props/karts fell apart), shouts out designer Ruby Hyman, answers Marty’s poll (snack, Ursula dream role, celebrity meetings with Detox and Veronica Taylor, Winnie-the-Pooh quote, Steven Universe and Devil Wears Prada), and opens up about processing grief and mental health.
 
She plugs Instagram @amara_fiyera, introduces Haus Coven and @hauscovensavannah, and ends with an ego-boost exchange and Marty praising her growth.
 
YEAH, YOU TAP THAT:
Here's Marty Milquetoast
Amara on IG
The Marty Show on IG
WATCH The Marty Show on YouTube
 
 
FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Welcome to The Marty Show
00:51 Halloween Extravaganza Plug
01:28 Sponsor Spotlight Hairdo Salon
02:17 Sponsor a Skeleton Pitch
03:05 Joke and Interview Kickoff
03:30 Meet Amara Fiyera
04:10 Origin of the Drag Name
06:17 Early Performer Roots
09:22 First Drag Performance
10:30 Finding Her True Style
14:00 Why She Keeps Performing
15:17 Balancing Drag and Life
17:22 Performer Horror Stories
22:52 Wario or Waluigi
23:07 Shoutout Segment Begins
23:50 Designer Shoutout
25:10 Marty’s Poll Begins
25:56 Dream Roles and Villains
26:52 Celebrity Encounters
29:20 Favorite Quote and Rewatches
31:18 Grief and Forgiveness
35:10 Joy Simplicity and Growth
38:14 Trust and Communication
39:40 Ego Boost Segment
41:24 Where to Follow and Haus Coven
43:35 Final Thanks and Reflections
 

Host Marty Milquetoast welcomes longtime Savannah drag performer Blair Williams to The Marty Show.
 
Blair shares how she picked her “real-sounding” stage name from a phonebook, what inspired her to start performing after seeing a drag show at 18, and that her first gig was at Scorpio in Charlotte, where other queens mentored her. She talks about being Miss Gay America about a decade ago, balancing drag with home life with help from her husband, and why she keeps saying yes to gigs.
 
Blair recounts onstage horror stories (falls, losing hair, slipping on a lime, and a disastrous Miss America talent), shouts out Savannah performers, and answers Marty’s poll. She shares where to find her on Facebook and Instagram and upcoming gigs during the club’s hiatus.
 
YEAH, YOU TAP THAT:
Here's Marty Milquetoast
Blair Williams on Facebook
Blair Willaims on IG
The Marty Show on IG
WATCH The Marty Show on YouTube
 
FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THE EPISODE:
00:00 Welcome to Marty Show
00:46 Why Blair Now
01:57 Monologue Confessions
02:52 Meet Blair Williams
03:35 Choosing Drag Name
05:05 First Show Spark
06:04 First Gig Charlotte
07:40 Mentoring Drag Kids
08:42 Feeling Like Performer
10:11 Why Keep Doing Drag
11:14 Balancing Two Lives
12:45 Performance Horror Stories
16:30 Shoutouts Savannah Queens
17:28 Savannah Rising Stars
18:39 Fearless New Drag
19:03 Marty Poll Begins
19:47 Dream Shows and Snacks
21:06 Celebrity Run Ins
22:17 Quotes and Comfort Rewatch
23:54 Surviving and Thriving
24:47 Joy Pride and Gratitude
27:57 Who Blair Really Is
28:53 Love You Marty
30:10 Where to Find Blair
31:35 Final Ego Boost

Host Marty Milquetoast welcomes Savannah burlesque performer Mona Chrome, promotes Marty Milquetoast’s Halloween Extravaganza at Victory North in Savannah with performer submissions via email/Linktree, and briefly apologizes for a nearly-handy joke.
 
Mona shares how American Idol/The Voice, Taylor Swift, Disney Channel, and early vocal training led her to performing, including her second-grade talent show debut singing “The Show” by Lenka. She describes feeling like a real performer during Glitter Gutter at Club One, explains why burlesque fits her creative goals, and how she balances college, work, and performing while maintaining identity offstage.
 
Mona discusses her drive to create opportunities, a music-order disaster show that forced improvisation, shoutouts to Daddy Donyae and drag performer The Atlantic, celebrity encounters (Kristen Stewart, Ariana Madix, and Glee-related cast), pride in “adulting,” gratitude for community, and where to find her: Instagram @makeyoumonaloud and her YouTube documentary “Good as Gold: Pulling Back the Curtain” (Hot Honey Films), plus a June 26 Pride spot at The Black Rabbit.
 
YEAH, YOU TAP THAT:
Here's Marty Milquetoast
Mona Chrome on Instagram
Good as Gold - Pulling Back the Curtain on YouTube
The Marty Show on IG
WATCH The Marty Show on YouTube
 
FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
00:44 Halloween Extravaganza Plug
02:03 Awkward Apology Bit
02:47 Meet Mona Chrome
03:05 Early Influences and Singing
04:08 First Talent Show Memory
05:18 Feeling Like a Pro
06:15 Why Burlesque Fits
07:31 Balancing School and Stage
08:34 Creating Your Own Gigs
10:18 Performer Horror Stories
12:55 Shoutouts to Watch
15:08 Marty’s Poll Begins
16:21 Dream Roles and Shows
16:49 Career Goals Shift
17:17 Festival Dreams
17:34 Vegas Residency Vision
17:45 Travel Struggles
18:10 Kristen Stewart Story
20:10 More Celebrity Meetings
21:07 Life Quote Philosophy
22:00 Comfort Rewatch Pick
22:17 Proud Adulting Milestone
23:41 Cat Joy Origin
24:25 Building Burlesque Community
25:31 Gratitude Check In
26:02 Wild Backstory Reveal
27:10 Ego Boost Moment
28:08 Where To Find Mona
29:55 Final Sign Off
 

Host Marty Milquetoast welcomes listeners to The Marty Show and announces a planned Halloween spectacular at Victory North, aiming for a spooky old-school variety show with burlesque, comedy, and a mentalist.
 
Marty welcomes comedian Chris Davison who chats about why he performs, his first stand-up set at Live Wire Music Hall, and when he first felt like a performer through roasts and winning over skeptical crowds. Davison recounts a major bombing at the Sentient Bean after an offensive act shifted the room’s tone, discusses balancing work, art, health, therapy, and ADHD management, and reflects on writing material from life and politics. He shouts out Josh Johnson, talks crowd work and hecklers, shares celebrity moments with Jerry Seinfeld and Lewis Black, and plugs upcoming shows and his socials.
 
YEAH, YOU TAP THAT:
Here's Marty Milquetoast
Chris Davison on IG
The Marty Show on IG
WATCH The Marty Show on YouTube
 
FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Welcome and Guest Tease
00:49 Halloween Spectacular Announcement
01:40 How to Contact Marty
03:09 Doctor Joke Cold Open
03:52 Meet Chris Davison
04:19 Why He Performs
05:23 First Standup Set Memories
07:09 Dick Joke Origins
08:31 Feeling Like a Performer
10:15 Comedy Influences and Roasts
11:59 Why He Keeps Doing Comedy
14:09 Balancing Life and Stage
17:52 Performer Horror Story Setup
18:38 Sentient Bean Bomb Story
24:45 Shout Out Josh Johnson
27:15 Writing Style and Work Ethic
28:41 Crowd Work in Social Media Era
31:09 Heckler Hangover
32:34 Marty's Poll Begins
34:09 Dream Stage Moments
38:48 Celebrity Run Ins
43:23 Favorite Quote Advice
45:47 Comfort Rewatch Picks
47:35 Beating ADD And Hustle
49:35 Joy In Tiny Jokes
52:35 Pride In The Craft
54:21 Gratitude And Survival
55:59 Plug And Where To Find
57:17 Ego Boost Hug
59:51 Upcoming Shows And Hades
01:01:56 Host Shoutout Finale
 

Marty Milquetoast opens The Marty Show by orienting listeners to Savannah’s performance scene, explaining that Club One, a long-running Savannah gay club associated with Lady Chablis, is closed as of June 2026 while awaiting renovations for a move, and noting Savannah Cabaret, a music-and-singing performance group started by producer/author Rick Garman.
 
In the interview segment, drag and theater performer Sallie Just Sallie describes switching from a culinary major to theater at Armstrong State, starting drag after being encouraged by others, and recalling early performances including choir and a first drag number from Rent. Sallie discusses balancing an 8–5 job, gym, and gigs, why performing is worth the expense and discomfort, and a horror story of forgetting lyrics during a Tina Turner song in a time-traveling drag queen show.
 
They share Disney celebrity encounters (Tina Fey, Neil Patrick Harris), favorite rewatch Deep Blue Sea, pride in community presence, bookings and Instagram (@salliejustsallie), and upcoming appearances including the Yes Queen tour.
 
YEAH, YOU TAP THAT:
Here's Marty Milquetoast
Follow Sallie Just Sallie on IG
The Marty Show on IG
WATCH The Marty Show on YouTube
 
FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS SHOW:
00:00 Welcome to The Marty Show
00:17 Savannah Scene Basics
00:36 Club One and Cabaret
02:06 Monologue Jokes and Credits
03:30 Meet the Guests
03:41 Who Is Sallie Jessy Sallie
04:14 Why Perform and Drag
06:14 First Stage Memories
07:33 First Drag and Wig Mishaps
10:50 Why Keep Doing It
12:28 Balancing Life and Games
15:21 Performer Horror Story
18:45 Onstage Chaos Moment
19:11 Shoutout Segment
20:16 Marty’s Poll Begins
21:09 Dream Roles Talk
22:26 Pandemic Cut Short
23:34 Celebrity Encounters
24:44 Quotes and Rewatchables
26:23 Big Shoes Big Problems
27:08 Weed and Park Bliss
29:18 Community Pride and Dyke Night
31:12 Gratitude and Being Approachable
33:13 Ego Boost and Donkey Head
36:28 Where to Find Sallie
38:32 Final Thanks and Sendoff