This weekend, Winifred Haun & Dancers premiere “Promise,” an evening-length work inspired by the female characters from Steinbeck’s “East of Eden.” Stills show dancers entwined in aerial ropes, suspended in the midst of struggle. Haun has been developing the work for three years, exploring themes of community versus individuality, rebellion and conformity, and the ways women respond to conflict. Natalie Rast portrays Liza Hamilton, the sensible spouse of imaginative and good-natured inventor-slash-farmer Samuel Hamilton in Steinbeck’s most ambitious novel. It’s a relatively large cast—more than fourteen dancers—for large themes and spans musical genres, including music by every one from Japanese composer Maki Ishii to folk songbird Jolie Holland to Kanye West. This is Haun & Dancers’ first full-length ballet. (Sharon Hoyer)
At the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn, (773)454-9843. October 9 and 10, 7:30pm. $25, $20 students and seniors.
