THE PARISIAN WOMAN Written by Beau Willimon Stars Uma Thurman and Philip Soo Is Slick Political Goo

THE PARISIAN WOMAN is a prescient American political satire stuffed with countless jabs at the preposterous compass ass in the White House.  Therein lies its wit, which at times is laid on thick.  Perhaps, as a facade for the mildly entertaining soap opera of salacious manipulations to garner positions of political power.  Does this formula sound familiar?   As my clever companion noted afterwards it felt like an episode of HOUSE of CARDS.  Kudos! Playwright Beau Willimon is the creature for the original series HOUSE of CARDS.  PARISON is a pastiche of "HOUSE," "PARISIAN," "DANGEROUS LIAISONS" with added punch at political pundits.  Chloe (Uma Thurman "Dangerous Liaisons") is the glamorous socialite wife of Tom (Josh Lucas "Sweet Home Alabama") a successful, tax attorney aspiring for a seat on an appellate court.  The married couple  understand that love can become something else.  Ambition is their consummate communal goal so  anything goes so long as it propels them up the political hierarchy.   Peter (Martin Csokas) is Chloe's insanely jealous lover who loses his charms when it's clear he doesn't have the president's ear.  Tom entrusts Chloe's adroit social skills to advance his judicial aspirations.  Chloe without a career/children is still held in high regard & demand at powerful dinner party invitations.  Jeanette  (Blair Brown "Copenhagen" Tony Award) a White House insider includes Chloe & Peter to her dinners & seeks to establish a friendship with Chloe.  Jeanette introduces Chloe to her beautiful & brilliant daughter Rebecca (Philip Soo "Hamilton") who recently graduated Harvard Law School.  Sexual secrets abound in the DC town but few are completely shocking.  However, Chloe & Rebecca's video tapped sexual liaisons shock & repel Jeanette.  Chloe wields the threat of revealing these tapes which would only harm Jeanette's daughter unless she ensures the president endorses Tom as the judicial candidate.  The handsome set and clever staging worked well.  The glaring lighting & messaging between scenes highlighted the technology today that wields enormous control to connect & dissect society.   THE PARISIAN WOMAN's political satire was mildly amusing sustained by a fine ensemble cast.  The more understated quick-witted muses on love toppled the Washington play poking fun at a twit who tweets troubling idiocies.   "Jealousy is a luxury for the young."  "Arguing is for married people not lovers."  "Love can sour and hearts get broken."