Acclaimed Arias with a Twist Extends at HERE Arts Center
By Adam Hetrick
23 Jun 2008
Arias with a Twist — the critically lauded collaboration from drag artist Joey Arias and theatrical puppet creator Basil Twist — has extended through Aug. 31 at HERE Arts Center.
On June 12, Arias with a Twist opened to a flurry of positive reviews, most notably a critical rave from the New York Times. Originally slated to play a limited four-week run through July 13, Arias with a Twist will now cast its spell through Aug. 31.
Following an extended run headlining the Las Vegas production of Cirque du Soleil's Zumanity, Joey Arias returned to New York in the newly conceived production that conjures "ecstatic desires, lavish nightmares and bizarre premonitions in a bejeweled cabinet of curiosities that could only be found in one of downtown's last enclaves for bohemian New York style," press notes state.
With renowned puppet designer Basil Twist — who lends his talents to the Shakespeare in the Park staging of Hamlet — Arias with a Twist incorporates Arias' uncanny Billie Holiday-inspired vocals into a production that features a marionette band of musicians, an alien abduction, poisonous snakes, a Busby Berkeley sequence — and a trip to hell.
Twist also directs the production that features costume concepts by Thierry Mugler, costume execution by Chris March, musical arrangements by Elliot Douglass and Jean-Francois Houle, musical production by Jean-Francois Houle, sound design by Greg Duffin, lighting design by Ayumu "poe" Saegusa and video design by Daniel Brodie. Alex Gifford has penned original songs ("Lately" and "The Jungle of Eden").
Arias with a Twist was developed through HERE Arts Center's Dream Music Puppetry Program, which is now celebrating its tenth year nurturing new puppetry techniques and incorporating new opportunities for puppetry artists through interdisciplinary collaborations.
Arias with a Twist will be seen 9 PM Wednesdays-Saturdays, with additional midnight performances on Fridays and Saturdays. Sunday performances are at 8 PM.
Tickets are available by calling (212) 352-3101 or by visiting www.here.org. HERE Arts Center is located at 145 Sixth Avenue in Manhattan.
For further information visit www.here.org.
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