---
title: 'San Francisco Opera Set to Perform 25th Anniversary of “Dead Man Walking” in Partnership with Sister Helen Prejean'
description: 'From September 14 – 28, 2025, the San Francisco Opera will present a special 25th anniversary production of the opera Dead Man Walking, which premiered in…'
canonical: 'https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/san-francisco-opera-set-to-perform-25th-anniversary-of-dead-man-walking-in-partnership-with-sister-helen-prejean'
section: news
date: '2025-09-15T14:22:00-04:00'
updated: '2025-09-15T14:22:20-04:00'
source: 'Death Penalty Information Center'
---

From September 14 – 28, 2025, the San Francisco Opera will present a special 25th anniversary production of the opera [*Dead Man Walking*](https://www.sfopera.com/operas/dead-man-walking/), which premiered in 2000. The opera, composed by San Francisco-based Jake Heggie and Terrence McNally, is based on Sister Helen Prejean’s journey as a pen pal and spiritual advisor to a death-sentenced prisoner at Louisiana’s Angola State Prison. Originally commissioned by San Francisco Opera, *Dead Man Walking* has been performed more than 80 times worldwide, making it the most performed contemporary opera in American history.

The performances will be accompanied by a [series of free public](https://www.sfopera.com/dec/community-programs/dead-man-walking-community-events/) events featuring Sister Helen in conversation with other faith leaders and legal experts, and with Sabrina Butler-Smith, the first woman exonerated from a death sentence in the United States.

Sister Helen, a Catholic nun, began her work as a spiritual advisor in the 1980s, when she was asked to correspond with a death row prisoner in Louisiana. This experience led Sister Helen to become a spiritual advisor to other condemned prisoners, a role that has led her to accompany prisoners through their final days, offering prayer, conversation, and comfort before their execution. Sister Helen has become a prominent voice in conversations about the death penalty, advocating for its abolition based upon her faith and support for restorative justice.