Jailyn Genyse and Isa Venere Photo by Jon Gitchoff

Compelling as those final matches are, the preceding contests are invariably upstaged by the colorful character development of director Nancy Bell at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, downstairs in the basement studio theater. Thanks to her, Athena emerges fully formed from what suddenly seems like the Rep's own buried subconscious.

The play began its onstage life in 2018 at JACK in Brooklyn, New York, in a limited-run engagement. And I suddenly think the world might be in better hands were it run by 17-year-old girls.

Isa Venere plays Athena (not her real name), a Long Island teen descending into the city for practice; and Jailyn Genyse plays Mary Wallace, voyaging across from Teaneck to likewise qualify for the games. Far more engaging, though, is the metaphorical swordplay that comes as the fabric of their lives is steadily cut to ribbons.

Annamaria Lu is the off-stage fencing consultant, and Paul Steger is the fight director. But when it's all flashing blades near the end, on a long, narrow set by Seth Howard, I was glad for a lighted scoreboard overhead to tell me who was winning. Until those fast-paced final rounds, the action is dominated by high school freshmen, verbally threshing away at one another, and gradually becoming adults in an overwhelming world.

There's a youthful fascination with the rules of life, and the occasional breaking thereof. Talk of all the other girls at the fencing academy helps explain the status and idealism of Mary and Athena. A mother's absence adds a further parallel to the old Greek legend. Onstage, as a dramatic punctuation, an occasional loud verbal outburst seemingly connects us to every stage of human evolution along the way.

There's equally fine work from a third cast member, Carmen Cecilia Retzer, as Jamie. The whole production is enhanced by the work of lighting designer Jayson M. Lawshee, with sound design by Jimmy Bernatowicz, run by Sean Wilhite.

It's a delightful and all-consuming mythological update that fits equally well within the classic genre of the "girls' school" drama, where you'll find Jane Eyre and The Children's Hour. The rise of fascism in this country may have already ruined another great title from that same lineage, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. But you can at least pick up some counter-moves against the dark forces from this Athena, born anew as the goddess of strategy.

Athena runs through February 9, 2025, at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, 130 Edgar Rd., St. Louis MO. For tickets and information, please visit www.repstl.org.

Cast: Mary Wallace: Jailyn Genyse* Jamie: Carmen Cecilia Retzer Athena: Isa Venere Production Staff: Director: Nancy Bell Scenic Designer: Seth Howard Costume Designer: Renee Garcia** Lighting Designer: Jayson M. Lawshee Sound Designer: Jimmy Bernatowicz Fight Director: Paul Steger Casting Director: Becks Redman Dramaturg: Simone Hoagland Fencing Consultant: Annamaria Lu Production Stage Manager: Carolyn Ivy Carter* Production Assistant: Caroline John Assistant Costume Designer: Ariana Lapentti Wardrobe Supervisor: Elena Jaquez Studio Sound Technician: Sean Wilhite Studio Electrician: Casey Morris III

* Denotes Member, Actors' Equity Association

** Denotes Member, USA-829