As we entered the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble’s theater #3, there was one performer in character as a bartender moving within a set that resembled a small café in some unknown city. Two small tables and chairs were placed on either side of the space and a bar sat in the upstage left corner. Four showgirls entered dressed in sequined and fringed short dresses, two in red and two in blue, appeared to be rehearsing their routine before mingling with customers beginning to enter the café. Along with a very large American flag covering much of the back wall, music from the 1940s, and the style of the costumes informed us that we were in the era of World War II.
As curator of Dance at the Odyssey, Barbara Müller-Wittmann showcases choreographers whose work has rarely, if ever, been seen by the general dance audiences in Los Angeles. For me, Nastia Yavorski (they), founder of ABSOLEM Dance Theatre, is one such dance artist and filmmaker who received their Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from CalArts. Although new to me, Yavorski’s award-winning dance film work has been seen internationally and they have staged choreographic work for music videos, live performances and movement installations.
Dance at the Odyssey – “Bang! The Most Patriotic Show in the History of the United States of America” by Nastia Yavorski – Photo by Mike Forman.
The title of Yavorski’s evening-length dance theater piece, “Bang! The Most Patriotic Show in the History of the United States of America” is a play on the US’s current president who exaggerates the size and breadth of everything he does. The work is, however, very patriotic because of its subject matter and how it mirrors what is taking place in this country, one that is severely divided into separate camps and quickly sliding backwards.
Dance at the Odyssey – “Bang! The Most Patriotic Show in the History of the United States of America” by Nastia Yavorski – Photo by Mike Forman.
“Bang! The Most Patriotic Show in the History of the United States of America” sneaks up on the viewer with scenes of friends and colleagues enjoying themselves while their country fights a war against Hitler’s Nazi regime in Europe. There are the revelers, soldiers, a wannabe soldier, people causing havoc after having too much to drink, the young wannabe soldier steals one of the soldier’s gun and a chase pursues – all while the bartender works to keep order in the café. Twice the sensual and jazzy showgirl routines and the excellently performed group dances were stopped and the audience instructed to stand for America’s national anthem.
Dance at the Odyssey – “Bang! The Most Patriotic Show in the History of the United States of America” by Nastia Yavorski – Photo by Mike Forman.
Yavorski has taken on a very complex subject and manages to throw an O. Henry style twist in the final act vividly depicting how, in an instant, US’s citizens can turn against one another on primarily social and political issues; divisions that sadly result in violence and death.
While I truly admire Yavorski making a work that does what art is supposed to do – reflect and comment on current affairs – for this viewer, “Bang! The Most Patriotic Show in the History of the United States of America” would have been even more powerful if some of the scenes were either cut or shortened so that sections are less repetitive. That said, the piece works, and Yavorski shows great promise as a choreographer. This work is one that should be seen by many.
Dance at the Odyssey – “Bang! The Most Patriotic Show in the History of the United States of America” by Nastia Yavorski – Photo by Mike Forman.
The excellent cast of “Bang! The Most Patriotic Show in the History of the United States of America” included Gianna Yaccino, Madison Lievrouw, Kojiro Forman, Lauren Humes, Ainsley Beard, Gabriela Guedes Calo, María Jurado, Reed Garfinkel, Bryn Bohannan, Shane Higa, Faun Mo Gibson, Piper Reinwald, Sage Sanchez, and Bella Ricciardi.
“Bang! The Most Patriotic Show in the History of the United States of America” was written and Directed by Nastia Yavorski; Dramaturgy by María Jurado; Choreography by Nastia Yavorski, Ainsley Beard, Piper Reinwald, Shane Higa, and Madison Moser; Fight Choreography by Matthew DeVecchis; Costume Design by Briana Newson; and Lighting Design by Cathleen Conte Marrero.
Dance at the Odyssey: Summer Edition continues with TORRENT, Caitlin Javech (July 2 and 3, 2025 at 8pm), Maya Billig (July 5, 2025 at 8pm), and Corina Kinnear and Jordan Saenz (July 6, 2025 at 5pm).
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit https://odysseytheatre.com/whats-on/dance-at-the-odyssey-summer-edition-3/
Written by Jeff Slayton for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: Dance at the Odyssey – “Bang! The Most Patriotic Show in the History of the United States of America” by Nastia Yavorski – Photo by Mike Forman.
