Arias With a Twist

By: Darryl Reilly

“Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” gloriously sung by legendary artiste Joey Arias in Frankenstein-inspired makeup while accompanied by Beatlesque psychedelic presentational flourishes is among the grand highlights of the exhilarating performance piece Arias With a Twist.

The show was co-created by Arias and master puppeteer Basil Twist in 2008 and returns to a contained playing area at the HERE Arts Center for this revival. It has the gay aesthetic of 1980s vaudeville-style spoofs which were performed in small East Village nightclubs. 1950s science fiction flicks are knowingly referenced, Busby Berkeley’s elaborate choreography is sent up, and antic sight gags abound. Arias repeatedly and comically mock simulates fellating handheld microphones, one is mushroom-shaped.

After a hilarious celestial preamble where Klaus Nomi is heard, the actual show begins. Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir” is given an electrifying rendition by Arias as he is twirled around in a neon-accented gyroscope in the presence of a crew of eerie aliens who have just anally probed him. Earlier offstage he had been abducted into their spaceship on his way to a gig. He is soon dropped back down to earth and lands in a marvelously detailed garden with wild animals including a swirling snake and a cheeky monkey. Later he rampages à la Godzilla on a stunning miniature reproduction of Manhattan’s iconic cityscape. Along the way Arias majestically sings “All By Myself,” “You’ve Changed” with Billie Holiday stylings, and Annie Ross’ wry classic “Twisted.”

Director Twist’s visionary physical staging creates a dreamy small-scale epic dimension. The unison of Twist’s fabulous, varied puppet design, his ingenious optical sense, Arias’ charismatic stage presence, and high caliber stagecraft all yield to this enthralling and euphorically existential entertainment.

Lighting designer Ayuma “Poe” Saegusa, sound designer Greg Duffin, and video designer Daniel Brodie’s supreme contributions are all integral. Co-composers Alex Gifford and Griff Williams’ original music is wickedly retro and bracingly futuristic. Thierry M. Mugler’s flamboyant costume concepts are arrestingly rendered by costume designer Fritz Masten. The team of virtuoso puppeteers who enact various otherworldly characters consists of Ben Ellin, Rosa Elling, Maria Camia, Matt Leabo, Rachel Schapira, Jessica Scott and Ash Winkfield.

Joey Arias has been a premiere genderbending performance artist known for soaring vocals and an outrageous stage presence since the 1970’s. Arias With a Twist could be viewed as a career summit and summation. It is filled with visual elan, emotional depth, and is a dazzling theatrical experience.

Arias With a Twist (through December 20, 2026)
Tandem Otter Productions
HERE Arts Center, 145 Sixth Avenue, in Manhattan
For tickets, visit www.here.org
Running time: 80 minutes with no intermission