Athena
by Gracie Gardner
Directed by Nancy Bell
January 17, 2025
Jailyn Genyse, Isa Venere
Photo by Jon Gitchoff
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Teenagers playing sports has become a prime topic for drama, or in the case of the Rep’s newest production in their Steve Woolf Studio Series, comedy-drama. Gracie Gardner’s Athena looks at ambitious young fencers and their world, including their hopes, dreams, fears, and contrasting personalities as they each strive for excellence and success. Featuring a strong cast, a realistic set, and impressive production values, this is an engaging character study that brings the audience into its world with well-choreographed fencing action to add to the show’s appeal.
The central character is Mary Wallace (Jailyn Genyse), a determined but insecure young fencer who is looking to qualify for the national championships in hopes of being recruited by a top college. Mary Wallace is studious, somewhat reserved, and kind of stickler for the rules. When she fences against a brash opponent who calls herself Athena (Isa Venere), she’s challenged to be bolder and fiercer in her approach toward fencing and toward life. Meanwhile, Athena deals with a difficult home situation and often seems to be using her own boldness to mask her own uncertainty. The two become training partners and, gradually, friends, as Athena introduces Mary Wallace to dance clubs and pushing societal boundaries, and Mary Wallace encourages Athena to be more considerate of others. Anxiety builds as the big competition approaches, but what will it bring for these two ambitious fencers and their relatively new friendship?
The performance space has been set up with a clever and deceptively simple set by Seth Howard that serves as both the training space and the competitive arena, as well as other areas around the New York City area as needed. There’s also excellent lighting by Jayson M. Lawshee and sound by Jimmy Bernatowicz that works to enhance the overall competitive fencing atmosphere, along with realistic costumes by Renee Garcia. The pacing is brisk throughout the play’s short runtime, with dynamic fencing sequences and a realistic athletic atmosphere. Kudos to fencing consultant Annamaria Lu for contributing to this overall air of authenticity.
The characters are at the center of this show, and particularly the developing relationship between Mary Wallace and Athena, made all the more believable and entertaining by the excellent performers in these roles. Genyse brings an amiable, relatable quality to Mary Wallace, making her easy to cheer for, and Venere is an ideal foil (pun intended) and a strong presence as Athena, whose brashness hides a vulnerability that Venere makes apparent. The back-and-forth sparring between these two, both in their fencing and in their budding friendship, is what makes this show so fun to watch, with an approachable humorous tone that’s balanced out with credible, poignant dramatic moments. There’s also a fine turn from Carmen Cecilia Retzer, making a memorable impression in a smaller role as Jamie, another fencer Mary Wallace works with.
The Steve Woolf Studio Series is a great way for the Rep to showcase “smaller” shows with the company’s usual technical excellence and memorable performances. Athena is a prime example of a show that works well in this smaller space, featuring action and energy, but especially on character and first-rate performances. In some ways it reminds me of another play the Rep did in this space a few years ago, the youth soccer-focused The Wolves. Athena is a play about sports, but even more so, it’s about the characters, their goals and their affects on one another. Even if you don’t know much about competitive fencing (there’s an information card included in the program), it’s a fascinating show to see.
Jailyn Genyse, Isa Venere
Photo by Jon Gitchoff
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
The Repertory Theatre or St. Louis is presenting Athena as part of their Steve Woolf Studio Series until February 9, 2025
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