Arts & Entertainment

Drag/puppet stew

New Woolly production eye popping but underdeveloped

Published

14 years ago

April 12, 2012

Patrick Folliard

‘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).

Related Topics:Arias with a Twist Basil Twist Joey Arias Out & About Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

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FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM

Calendar

Calendar: March 27-April 2

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

4 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, March 27

Center Aging Monthly Luncheon With Yoga will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Dupont Italian Kitchen. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome and there’ll be card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.

Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This event is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity/expression to join together in community and learn from one another. For more details, email [email protected].

Saturday, March 28

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.

The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Sunday Supper on Saturday” at 2 p.m. It’s more than just an event; it’s an opportunity to step away from the busyness of life and invest in something meaningful, and enjoy delicious food, genuine laughter, and conversations that spark connection and inspiration. For more details, visit the Center’s website.

Black Lesbian Support Group will be at 1 p.m. on Zoom. This is a peer-led support group devoted to the joys and challenges of being a Black Lesbian. For more details, email [email protected].

Monday, March 30

“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” 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 information, contact Adam ([email protected]).

“Tea Time! A Local DC Drag Comedy Show” will be at 3 p.m. at Spark Social. This is a live drag comedy show where drag legends TrevHER & Tiara Missou Sidora host spill all the tea in the DMV. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Tuesday, March 31

Visibili-TEA Party will be at 6 p.m. at Restoration Station. Guests are encouraged to come sip, celebrate, and shine together. This event is a Trans Day of Visibility celebration and a special collaboration between Auntie’s Home and Damien Ministries. This is a boozy tea party with intention and the dress code reflects the vibe. More details are available on Eventbrite.

Wednesday, March 1

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. 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.

Thursday, April 2

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. 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 Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.

Out & About

Celebrate cherry blossoms the drag way

Unconventional Diner hosts bingo party

Published

4 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

The cherry blossoms are here. Celebrate at a unique event hosted by Unconventional Diner. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

Unconventional Diner will host “Cherry Blossom Drag Bingo Party” on Friday, April 3, at 6:30 p.m.

Guests will be treated to an unforgettable night of drag performances, bingo, food and drink and prizes. Highlights of the evening include themed cocktails, drag performances and bingo prizes.

Tickets can be secured via Resy.

Sports

New IOC policy bans trans women from Olympics

New regulation to be in effect at 2028 summer games in Los Angeles

Published

1 day ago

March 26, 2026

Michael K. Lavers

(Photo by Greg Martin; courtesy IOC)

The International Olympic Committee on Thursday announced it will not allow transgender women from competing in female events at the Olympics.

“For all disciplines on the Sports Program of an IOC event, including individual and team sports, eligibility for any Female Category is limited to biological females,” reads the new policy.

The policy states “eligibility for the Female Category is to be determined in the first instance by SRY Gene screening to detect the absence or presence of the SRY Gene.”

“On the basis of the scientific evidence, the IOC considers that the SRY (sex-determining Region Y) Gene is fixed throughout life and represents highly accurate evidence that an athlete has experienced or will experience male sex development,” it reads. “Furthermore, the IOC considers that SRY Gene screening via saliva, cheek swab or blood sample is unintrusive compared to other possible methods. Athletes who screen negative for the SRY gene permanently satisfy this policy’s eligibility criteria for competition in the Female Category.”

The policy states the test “will be a once-in-a-lifetime test” unless “there is reason to believe a negative reading is in error.”

The new regulation will be in place for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

“I understand that this a very sensitive topic,” said IOC President Kirsty Coventry on Thursday in a video. “As a former athlete, I passionately believe in the rights of all Olympians to take part in fair competition.”

“The policy that we have announced is based on science and it has been led by medical experts with the best interests of athletes at its heart. The scientific evidence is very clear: male chromosomes give performance advances in sport that rely on strength, power, or endurance,” she added. “At the Olympic Games, even the smallest margins can be the difference between victory and defeat. So, it is absolutely clear that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category. In addition, in some sports it would simply not be safe.”

(Video courtesy of the IOC)

Laurel Hubbard, a weightlifter from New Zealand, in 2021 became the first trans woman to compete at the Olympics.

Imane Khelif, an Algerian boxer, won a gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Khelif later sued JK Rowling and Elon Musk for cyberstalking after they questioned her gender identity.

Ellis Lundholm, a mogul skier from Sweden, this year became the first openly trans athlete to compete in any Winter Olympics when he participated in Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy.

President Donald Trump in February 2025 issued an executive order that bans trans women and girls from female sports teams in the U.S.

The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee last July banned trans women from competing in female sporting events. Republican lawmakers have demanded the IOC ban trans athletes from women’s athletic competitions.

“I’m grateful the Olympics finally embraced the common sense policy that women’s sports are for women, not for men,” said U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) on X.

An IOC spokesperson on Thursday referred the Washington Blade to the press release that announced the new policy.