Winifred Haun & Dancers Present PROMISE at Historic Pleasant Home This Weekend

Winifred Haun & Dancers will re-stage their highly acclaimed full length ballet, "Promise," this weekend, October 17 & 18 at Historic Pleasant Home in Oak Park, IL. The dance will be re-made especially for the beautiful spaces in and around Pleasant Home, representing a true collaboration between a space and a dance.

Promise, which premiered in 2009, focuses on the women, images and psychological themes found in John Steinbeck's 1952 novel, "East of Eden." Company Rehearsal Director, Zada Cheeks, will perform the leading role of Adam, and Company Dancer Ariel Dorsey will dance the role of Cathy, Adam's troubled wife. Erin Kouwe will dance the second female lead and Timothy Bowser will dance the role of Cal, Adam and Cathy's complicated son. The music of George Crumb, Jolie Holland, Maki Ishii, and Loudon Wainwright III are featured in the sound design for Promise.

As an Opening Act preceding Promise, Kanopy Dance Co. of Madison, WI will perform Artistic Director Lisa Thurrell's lyrical group work "Come Months, Come Away." Thurrell's dance is inspired by poets Bronte, Keats, and Shelley.

In addition to the performance of Promise and Come Months, Come Away, a special Wine & Tour event will be offered one hour before each performance. Interested audience members will have the opportunity to meet Company artists, enjoy a glass of wine and take a free tour of Pleasant Home (see details below).

This presentation of Promise is partly sponsored by Pleasant Home. Pleasant Home is a Prairie Style house museum located in the heart of Oak Park. Winifred Haun & Dancers was invited to present Promise at Pleasant Home after our highly successful and sold-out production at the Ruth Page Center in March 2015.