Fellow Travelers

When love is dangerous, secrecy is survival. Set during the “Lavender Scare,” a government-led purge that targeted gay men and lesbians in the US federal workforce, Fellow Travelers tells the story of two men whose love becomes a perilous secret in an era of surveillance, political paranoia, and fear. One of the most ravishingly beautiful, critically acclaimed, and widely performed American operas of the 21st century, Fellow Travelers comes to BAM in a 10th-anniversary production from Up Until Now, led by director Kevin Newbury and producer Jecca Barry. Originally created by composer Gregory Spears, librettist Greg Pierce, and Newbury, Fellow Travelers is a powerful story of attraction, betrayal, and resilience. Based on Thomas Mallon’s acclaimed novel that was recently adapted into a CBS/Paramount+ limited series, the opera pairs political intrigue with a deeply human portrait of love lived in the shadows. Staged anew amid uncanny political echoes, this landmark production celebrates a milestone work while also illuminating a crucial chapter of LGBTQ+ history.