Nearly 50 years after her passing, Joan Crawford is still a fascinating, polarizing figure: the rags-to-riches Hollywood heroine; the shrewd entrepreneur and Pepsi bigwig; the camp goddess; the Mommy Dearest monster. She remains a character of operatic proportions—and now, Catapult Opera seizes the opportunity to examine the life of an icon with Innocent Eyes, a new chamber opera by David Hertzberg that comes to BAM in an exclusive first-peek performance.
Hertzberg, no stranger to obsessive and fantastical tales, is best known for his critically acclaimed, successful chamber operas The Rose Elf and The Wake World (named Best New Opera of 2017 by the Music Critics Association of North America). Innocent Eyes, set between Crawford’s reign as queen of MGM and her historic comeback in Mildred Pierce, spins the uncanny tale of a strange, enchanted dinner party after which nothing was ever the same. Presented by Neal Goren’s enterprising company Catapult Opera, this performance is the establishing shot of what’s certain to be a buzzed-about creation.
Hertzberg, no stranger to obsessive and fantastical tales, is best known for his critically acclaimed, successful chamber operas The Rose Elf and The Wake World (named Best New Opera of 2017 by the Music Critics Association of North America). Innocent Eyes, set between Crawford’s reign as queen of MGM and her historic comeback in Mildred Pierce, spins the uncanny tale of a strange, enchanted dinner party after which nothing was ever the same. Presented by Neal Goren’s enterprising company Catapult Opera, this performance is the establishing shot of what’s certain to be a buzzed-about creation.
ONSALE DATES
Thu, Oct 15 at 1pm
BAM Members and Patrons
Thu, Nov 5 at 1pm
General Public
BAM Members and Patrons
Thu, Nov 5 at 1pm
General Public
UPCOMING Performances
VENUE
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets start at $35
Please note: All single ticket online and phone orders are subject to a $3 facility fee and an $8 handling fee per ticket. All orders at the box office are subject to a $3 facility fee per ticket.
BAM Bundles are subject to a $3 facility fee and a $4 handling fee per ticket.
BAM Members and Patrons get first access and save 20% on single tickets.
All ticket buyers (including BAM Members and Patrons) can create a BAM Bundle (three or more eligible performances) to get 30% off their package. BAM Bundles can be made from three or more programs that are part of the same season; programs for the Winter/Spring 2027 Season cannot be combined with Fall/Next Wave 2026 programs for the discount. Offer expires on January 31, 2027.
Please note: All single ticket online and phone orders are subject to a $3 facility fee and an $8 handling fee per ticket. All orders at the box office are subject to a $3 facility fee per ticket.
BAM Bundles are subject to a $3 facility fee and a $4 handling fee per ticket.
BAM Members and Patrons get first access and save 20% on single tickets.
All ticket buyers (including BAM Members and Patrons) can create a BAM Bundle (three or more eligible performances) to get 30% off their package. BAM Bundles can be made from three or more programs that are part of the same season; programs for the Winter/Spring 2027 Season cannot be combined with Fall/Next Wave 2026 programs for the discount. Offer expires on January 31, 2027.
All performances will adhere to protocols developed in accordance with New York State regulations and in consultation with medical professionals for the safety of our artists, audiences, and staff.
Leadership support for
BAM's strategic initiatives provided by the
Jerome L. Greene Foundation 
Leadership support for
BAM programming provided by
Leadership support for
BAM's strategic initiatives provided by 
Leadership support for
BAM programming provided by
Alan and Judith Fishman
Additional support for
opera at BAM provided by
The Francena T. Harrison Foundation Trust
