Ann Arbor Observer: Athena

Full article: https://annarborobserver.com/athena-theatre-nova/

"People were abuzz with happy energy as we filed out of the theater, which is probably the best review a play like this can earn."  - Ann Arbor Observer

"Seeley’s direction is at its best when her actresses are given something physical to do, whether sparring in the fencing gym or dancing in a nightclub."  - Ann Arbor Observer

"One of my favorite things about Theatre Nova is that it will never shy away from an unconventional story. Its latest production, Gracie Gardner’s Athena, is just that..." - Ann Arbor Observer

"An aspiring marine biologist, she’s as tightly wound as her French braid. It would be easy for such a character to be flattened into a snooty high achiever, but Batell’s vulnerable, wide-eyed performance lets her develop into something more complex: naive, clever, romantic, passionate, silly. Meanwhile, Pan’s Athena, with her dip-dyed ponytail and punk-rock undercut hairstyle, is insecure and aggrieved. She fights dirty and talks dirtier. Pan is affecting and very funny..." - Ann Arbor Observer

"The costume and lighting design (by Michaella Victoria and Jade Guerriero, respectively) is simple and beautiful, rendered in synthwave colors—Athena is associated with hot pink; Mary Wallace, electric blue. You don’t need to know anything about fencing to follow the sparring scenes, with the necessary information conveyed through flashes of color and gentle audio cues (Kennikki Jones-Jones has a knack for designing subtle, believable soundscapes)."- Ann Arbor Observer

"The fencing sequences, choreographed by Joe Wright, are fabulously engaging; I could have used twice as many. Far and away the most riveting scene—on its own worth the ticket price—is the “final battle” between Athena and Mary Wallace, which held the audience rapt until we finally burst into cheers." - Ann Arbor Observer