Michael Gordon/Richard Foreman’s What to Wear, Jan 15-18
What to wear
January 15-18, 2026 at BAM Strong Harvey Theater (4 shows)
December 20, 2025 at MASS MoCA (work in progress showing)
- Music by Michael Gordon
- Direction by Richard Foreman
- Music Direction by Alan Pierson
- Creative Direction by Paul Lazar and Annie-B Parson
- Featuring Bang on a Can All-Stars
For the first time in 20 years, What to wear — the comedic post-rock opera by composer Michael Gordon and the late downtown theater renegade icon Richard Foreman — returns to the stage in its New York Premiere. The production brings back to life Foreman’s original staging and production, with creative direction by Big Dance Theater co-founders Annie-B Parson and Paul Lazar.
This bitingly funny post-rock opera offers a commentary on the superficial pressures of society, at a moment when our contemporary world of Instagram, fast fashion, and influencer culture render Foreman and Gordon’s critiques more cutting and relevant than ever. A collaboration between PROTOTYPE, BAM, and Beth Morrison Projects in association with Bang on a Can, featuring Bang on a Can All-Stars, this historic re-staging honors Foreman’s legacy and confirms Gordon as a singular voice in contemporary music.