Arts & Entertainment
Drag/puppet stew
New Woolly production eye popping but underdeveloped
‘Arias with a Twist’
Through May 6
Woolly Mammoth
641 D Street, NW
$30-$55
202-393-3939
Joey Arias in ‘Arias with a Twist.’ (Photo courtesy Woolly Mammoth)
While very different, drag and puppetry actually have some things in common. To be good, both require artifice, heaps of imagination and a little magic. In co-creating “Arias with a Twist” (at Woolly Mammoth through May 6) New York drag performer Joey Arias and master puppeteer Basil Twist bring together their respective, formidable talents to create a wild ride.
The 90-minute, psychedelic odyssey kicks off in outer space. When we meet the show’s beleaguered heroine Joey (portrayed by Arias as a mix of dim damsel and hard-boiled party girl), she’s been abducted by aliens. Strapped to a metal wheel, she unconvincingly objects “I’m a virgin,” as the glow-eyed extraterrestrials introduce her to their biggest mechanical probe. From there, Joey, falls to earth and lands in an Eden-like jungle where — “Holy Shitake!” — she gobbles down a sparkly disco mushroom (hallucinogenic, of course), and the most trippy part of her journey ensues.
Twist (the show’s designer and director), lighting designer Ayumu “Poe” Saegusa and projection designer Daniel Brodie surround Joey with outsized flowers, pinwheels, kaleidoscopes, Muppet-like dodo birds, butterflies, disembodied white-gloved hands, and, most impressively, 20-foot-long, purple octopus tentacles. The magic mushrooms experience explodes from mellow to fiery, taking Joey straight to a flame-filled hell where she performs a Vegas-y number (and more) with two muscly, massively endowed backup demons.
Inevitably Joey crashes. From a darkened stage, she awakens alone and weakly asks the audience “What time is it?” before seguing into a torchy rendition of pop hit “All By Myself.” (Throughout the show Arias sings a mixture pop standards and bluesy ballads dotted with low growls and ear-piercing Yma Sumac squeaks.) But like Dorothy, Joey realizes “there’s no place like home,” and for her that means Manhattan.
In no time, our high-heeled star hilariously descends upon Gotham like the 50-foot woman, clomping her way downtown, taking out a few cabs and assorted commuters on the way. Despite a raucous return, she’s welcomed home with open arms: a spinning collage of headlines announces “Joey Arias Returns From Outer Space!” Her triumphant comeback entails a singing engagement at a smart club. Joey flirts with the cute band members (charmingly crafted 80-year-old puppets passed down from Twist’s bandleader grandfather) and naughtily banters with the audience (a real Arias strength). Before the final curtain, she is joined by a chorus of big-legged beauties and ultimately appears half-naked atop a multi-tiered cake in an elaborate number inspired by 1930s Hollywood.
Arias’ bag of tried-and-true tricks (that vintage pinup appeal, the Billie Holiday rasp and those hilarious deadpan double takes) along with Twist’s whimsical, wildly inventive puppetry expand a one gal show into something vast (including a cast of dozens animated by six unseen puppeteers) and delightfully unpredictable.
Manfred Thierry Mugler (the famed French couturier added the “Manfred” when he dramatically transformed into a massive bodybuilder a few years back) dresses Joey in a restricted wardrobe of punishing foundation garment with strategically placed black bands, and later a gorgeous black mermaid gown. The look creates a sort of chic armor; but despite her fierce attire, Joey is vulnerable and amusingly susceptible to all sorts of temptation.
“Arias with a Twist” premiered in New York in 2008. And though the show has been tweaked since then, it’s not without its clunky moments, most notably some serious pacing problems. Still it delivers some spectacle and merrily salutes much from 20th century show biz — Ziegfeld Follies, Busby Berkeley, big bands — but its DNA can be traced specifically to the downtown New York club scene where gay artists Arias and Twist cut their teeth. It’s raunchy, clunky and fun and there’s a “my dad has a barn, let’s put on a show” quality to it only the barn is a night spot in the East Village and the kids are drag queens, budding artists, and a couple of muscle boys (to do the heavy lifting).
The Victory Fund held its National Champagne Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton on Sunday, April 27. Speakers included Tim Gunn, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.), Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.).
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Music & Concerts
Tom Goss returns with ‘Bear Friends Furever Tour’
Out singer/songwriter to perform at Red Bear Brewing Co.
Singer Tom Goss will bring his “Bear Friends Furever Tour” to D.C. on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. at Red Bear Brewing Co.
Among the songs he will perform will be “Bear Soup,” the fourth installment in his beloved bear song anthology series. Following fan favorites like “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places,” and “Nerdy Bear,” this high-energy, bass-thumping banger celebrates body positivity, joyful indulgence, and the vibrant spirit of the bear subculture.
For more details, visit Tom Goss’s website.
Friday, May 2
“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at P.F. Chang’s. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, May 3
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
LGBTQ People of Color Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgment free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events for LGBTQ People of Color, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, May 4
“The Chateau Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Chicatana. Enjoy fabulous Mexican food and cocktails while being entertained by a rotating cast of the DMV’s best drag performers. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
“The Bubble: Queer Brooklyn Comics in DC” will be at 5 p.m. at As You Are. Queer comedians Charlie Flynn, Evan Lazarus and Keara Sullivan are coming down from NYC for a night of fun as they split an hour of standup comedy. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Monday, May 5
“Center Aging Monday Coffee & Conversation” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Tuesday, May 6
Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more details, email [email protected].
Wednesday, May 7
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older queer women can meet and socialize with one another. We will have discussion, activities, and a chance for you to share what you want future events to include. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, May 8
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga with Sarah M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
South Asian Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The peer support group is an outlet for South Asian-identified LGBTQ individuals to come and talk about anything affecting them. It’s a secure, judgment-free environment to discuss relationships, sexuality, health, well-being, identity, culture, religion, or anything that is on your mind. For more details, email [email protected].
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