
Joey Arias
Biography
A fixture of New York City’s vibrant downtown performance scene for 30-plus years, Joey Arias is a bona fide NYC icon. Arias lived and worked with legendary musician Klaus Nomi until Nomi’s death in 1983. However, he has long since stepped out of Nomi’s shadow to gain fame in his own right as a performance artist, cabaret singer and drag artist. Arias has distinguished himself with scandalous wit, sleek style and an extraordinary voice... evocative of Billie Holiday yet uniquely his own. Arias has performed worldwide at venues including Carnegie Hall and the Freedom Theatre in London. Arias was tapped by Cirque du Soleil to originate the role of the emcee in their Las Vegas spectacular Zumanity. After 6 years in that role, Arias returned to New York where he became the star and co-creator of Arias With a Twist with master puppeteer Basil Twist. The show was a critical and commercial hit and extended repeatedly for a total of 8 months. On film, he has appeared in Mondo New York, Big Top Pee Wee, Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, Wigstock - The Movie, Flawless and To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, among others.
Acting (20 movies)

Naked in New York
1993

God Save the Queens
1995

Arias With a Twist
2010

The Zanctuary
2016

Mondo New York
1988

Deadly Game
1991

Dragtime
1997

The Nomi Song
2004

Cirque du Soleil: LoveSick
2008

Elvira: Mistress of the Dark
1988

Wigstock: The Movie
1995

Flawless
1999

Jobriath A.D.
2012

Big Top Pee-wee
1988

After Louie
2017

Mermaids on Heroin
1985

Wig
2019

To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar
1995

Drunks
1997

Vandemonium Plus
1987
Directing (1 movie)
| Title | Year | Job | 
|---|---|---|
| Mermaids on Heroin | 1985 | Writer |