Long time friends Basil Twist, a third generation puppeteer, and Joey Arias, a seminal New York drag queen, teamed up to create the visual feast Arias with a Twist. When the duo is asked how they met, they answer simply, “Probably at a sex club.”

To try and capture the awe-inspiring spectacle/thrill ride that is Arias with a Twist with mere words is to do it a disservice. It must be seen to be believed. It’s a horny, campy-cabaret-burlesque-lounge act-puppet show- ON ACID. Arias, most recently Circque du Soleil Zumanity’s Mistress of Seduction, gives an electrifying performance as a glamour girl whose adventures include being abducted by aliens, and dropped from the sky into a sexy primordial forest, then down the rabbit hole on a sparkly mushroom trip.

The show is daring and avant-garde while never taking itself seriously. Basil Twist’s puppet work is vibrant, imaginative and likely like nothing you’ve ever seen before. Twist is working on the upcoming Pee Wee Herman show and another show called Petruschka, and I’m excited to see those productions.

The entire show feels like watching someone’s wildest, unfettered imagination let loose and the end result is beautiful, child-like, shocking and delightful all at once. It is truly inspirational and cannot be missed.

The show will be at the REDCAT theatre
Nov 18-Dec 13
Wednesdays–Saturdays at 8:30pm
Sundays at 7:00pm
(Added performance Tues, Nov 24; No performance Thurs, Nov 26)

Tickets: $35-40 [Students $28-32]
213-237-2800 or www.redcat.org