OFF-BROADWAY

“ARIAS WITH A TWIST”: *** Hilarious cabaret act featuring drag queen Joey Arias performing amid celebrated puppeteer Basil Twist’s imaginative visual surroundings. HERE Arts Center, 145 Sixth Ave.; (212) 352-3101. Closes Aug. 31.

“BASH’D”: *** Entertaining musical tells its story, about a pair of young lovers who become the victims of gay bashing, entirely through rapping. Zipper Factory Theater, 336 W. 37th St.; (212) 352-4101.

“EAST 14th”: ** Don Reed’s one-man show about growing up on the mean streets with a pimp for a dad is more exhausting than illuminating. New World Stages, 340 W. 50th St.; (646) 871-1730.

“EXPATRIATE”: *** Lenelle Moises’ play with music, about two African-American women finding fame as a singing duo, treats familiar themes in a fresh and provocative way. Culture Project, 55 Mercer St.; (212) 925-1806.

“FORBIDDEN BROADWAY DANCES WITH THE STARS”: The irreverent revue’s summer edition pokes fun at “South Pacific,” “Gypsy,” “Grease” and more. 47th Street Theatre, 304 W. 47th St.; (212) 239-6200.

“GIVE ‘EM HELL, HARRY”: Bix Barnaba plays our plain- spoken 33rd president, Harry S. Truman, in Samuel Gallu’s play. St. Luke’s Theatre, 308 W. 46th St.; (212) 239-6200

“KICKING A DEAD HORSE”: *** Stephen Rea stars in Sam Shepard’s abstract and haunting play about a man stranded in the desert. The Public Theater, 425 Lafayette St.; (212) 967-7555. Through Aug. 10.

“THE MARRIAGE OF BETTE AND BOO”: *** 1/2 Superbly acted revival of Christopher Durang’s 1985 black comedy about a truly dysfunctional marriage. Laura Pels Theatre, 111 W. 46th St.; (212) 719-1300. Through Sept. 7.

“MY MOTHER’S ITALIAN, MY FATHER’S JEWISH, & I’M IN THERAPY”: ** 1/2 Steve Solomon’s solo comedy. Westside Theatre, 407 W. 43rd St.; (212) 239-6200.

“SOME AMERICANS ABROAD”: ** 1/2 Well-acted revival of Richard Nelson’s satirical if ultimately tiresome comedy/drama about a group of academics on a whirlwind tour of England. Second Stage Theatre, 307 W. 43rd St.; (212) 541-4516. Closes Sunday.

“STITCHING”: ** 1/2 Potent if gratuitously shocking two-character play about a troubled couple coping with commitment issues. Wild Project, 195 E. Third St.; (212) 228-1195. Closes tomorrow.

“WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU HATE ALL YOUR FRIENDS”: * 1/2 Seriously weird and ineffective comedy about 20-somethings with bizarre friendship rituals. Lion Theatre, 410 W. 42nd St.; (212) 714-2442 Closes Aug. 9.