Culture Watch: “What to Wear” at BAM Harvey Theater
For a brief window from January 15–17, 2026, the BAM Harvey Theater hosts a production that defies easy categorization. “What to Wear” is a collaboration between composer Michael Gordon and avant-garde theater legend Richard Foreman.
The Production
Technically an opera, this piece explores the obsession with fashion and the philosophical question of “what to wear” as a metaphor for identity. Foreman’s text is known for being abstract and challenging, while Gordon’s music is rhythmic and driving. The staging at the Harvey Theater—with its distressed, peeling walls—adds a layer of gritty texture to the performance.
Why It’s a “Cool” Event
This isn’t Puccini. It’s downtown NYC art-rock ethos meeting high culture. It attracts a mix of serious music critics, theater students, and the intellectual elite of Brooklyn. If you want to see something that will spark a debate over post-show drinks, this is it.
Find more unique events: The Essential NYC Event Calendar: Brooklyn January 2026.
