Joey Arias and Basil Twist have revived their acclaimed musical fantasia "Arias With a Twist," returning the production to New York’s Here Arts Center through December 20. The show, originally created in 2008, melds Arias’s distinctive performance style with Twist’s innovative puppetry, offering an unconventional theatrical experience blending live singing and surreal visual elements.
Arias, a performance artist known for his striking presence and complex relationship with the concept of drag, challenged the common understanding of the term during recent interviews. Although often associated with drag culture, Arias emphasized that his work departs from mainstream drag aesthetics popularized by television, such as “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Instead, his approach focuses on “silhouette and soul,” aiming for a minimalist yet powerful visual impact inspired by advice from French fashion designer Thierry Mugler, who urged Arias to emphasize nudity and simplicity in his appearance.
The show itself defies traditional narrative structure, prioritizing visual and atmospheric elements over plot. Twist’s puppetry plays a central role, animating a fantastical array of characters that include space aliens, jungle flora, and theatrical devils. Among the puppets are miniature versions of Arias himself, attired in Mugler-inspired black bikinis, underscoring the seamless blend of performer and puppet in the production.
Basil Twist, a MacArthur Fellow recognized for his work in puppetry, met Arias in the early 1990s. Despite their initial professional distance—Twist’s early productions focused almost exclusively on puppets without actors—the pair developed a creative rapport rooted in their shared affinity for theatrical artifice. Twist recalls Arias’s commanding live performances in nightclub settings, noting the powerful effect Arias had when taking the microphone. Their collaboration eventually led to “Arias With a Twist,” produced under Twist’s Dream Music Puppetry program, which supports puppetry works for adult audiences.
The show had an initial run with positive critical reception and was revived and expanded over the years. However, it had not been staged since 2012. Twist considered the possibility that “Arias With a Twist” might remain dormant, particularly as Arias faced personal challenges beginning in 2017. The performer struggled with addiction to alcohol and opioids, which escalated rapidly and eventually required a significant intervention involving friends and colleagues, including Twist. With their support, Arias entered rehab and began the path to recovery.
Post-recovery, Arias underwent a transformation that included medical procedures and lifestyle changes to regain his health. Returning to the stage after years of recovery, he has resumed his role in the production, prompting an emotional response from Twist, who expressed astonishment and admiration for Arias’s resilience and renewed vitality.
The revival of "Arias With a Twist" highlights both the enduring creative synergy between Arias and Twist and the challenges faced by performers balancing artistic ambition with personal well-being. It also underscores the evolving landscape of performance art, where puppetry and live theatrical expression merge to explore new artistic possibilities.