One of the pieces that are part of the inaugural program of ODC/Dance's 41st season is called "Breathing Underwater," and the piece grew out of an earlier work by choreographer/ODC founder Brenda Way called "Ladies in Waiting" which centered on women's activities of the Mad Men era, and centered on women's ability to survive under constrained circumstances.

Says Way of the new piece, which is choreographed for four women, "It’s about being in a very constrained environment that you don’t realize is suffocating you. Ultimately the dancers break that constraint through gentleness, a traditionally female quality.”

The new piece brings the themes into a more modern context, and features a soundtrack from dreadlocked cellist Zoe Keating.'

After a sold-out opening night gala Thursday, "Breathing Underwater" will play at the Novellus Theater at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts as part of Program A in the current series, on Saturday March 17 at 8 p.m., March 23 at 8 p.m., March 21 at 7:30 p.m., and March 25 at 4 p.m. Tickets are $15 to $55.

[Examiner]