If you’re among the many Americans who have become frustrated with the federal government, you may appreciate playwright Beau Willimon’s insight on part of the reasons why Congress is considered so dysfunctional by so many. In his new play THE PARISIAN WOMAN, Willimon (the creator of the popular Netflix politically themed series HOUSE OF CARDS) paints a Washington DC filled with people whose only commitments are to gain power, money and prestige, not belief in any particular political ideology.
This five-character play, which opened on Broadway in November and stars screen actress Uma Thurman, focuses on a Washington power couple, Chloe (Thurman) and Tom (Josh Lucas). Chloe’s a stay-at-home wife and Tom an attorney seeking an appointment as a judge on a federal circuit court. Among their friends are Peter (Marton Csokas), an adviser to President Trump (and yes, he is named); and Jeanette, the incoming head of the Federal Reserve Bank.
Who is THE PARISIAN WOMAN?
THE PARISIAN WOMAN (which refers to Thurman’s character, even though her character Chloe is not actually a Parisian woman), is clearly set in 2017, and references to and digs at the 45th President abound. While not by any means a comedy, THE PARISIAN WOMAN has its share of clever satiric jokes. It’s clear Willimon has contempt for these characters – with the possible exception of Rebecca (Phillipa Soo), Annette’s recent law-school graduate daughter who has not yet lost her ideals.
In this world, nothing is ever quite what it seems, loyalties shift (if they were even real in the first place) and no one – not even one’s spouse or family - is ever to be completely trusted. To say much more about the plot would necessitate reveal spoilers, and since the appeal of this piece is in its surprises, they won’t be revealed here.
How does Washington, D.C. really work?
Willimon’s suggestion in THE PARISIAN WOMAN is that the real action in Washington – much of it anyway – happens outside of the Oval Office or the halls of Congress, but in the homes of the powerful.
Scenic designer Derek MacLane has visualized this world with hyper-realistic sets representing in the elegant living room of Chloe and Tom’s Washington home and the even more elegant veranda of Jeanette’s estate. The sets seamlessly morph between locations, with news headlines descending on digital displays between scenes as a transitional device. Jane Greenwood’s costumes smartly capture the look of the sort of clothing these rich and powerful people would wear, whether attending a fashionable party or lounging at home in jeans.
The problem with this production directed by the Chicago-born Pam McKinnon, from the perspective of this writer, is that some of the actors – mostly Thurman, Lucas and Csokas which play the worst of the bunch - seem to be contemptuous of their characters as well. They “comment” on their characters’ flaws by exaggerating them and as a result are not particularly believable enough to generate the audience’s disapproval or disgust. The plot machinations of this particular political intrigue do not seem to this writer to be so intricate or interesting to hold the audience in rapt attention, even for the plays relatively short running time (about 110 minutes, with no intermission).
Broadway in New York Pick for Uma Thurman Lovers
There is an appeal to attending THE PARISIAN WOMAN, though, if not particularly a literary or dramatic one. We can appreciate it for the fact that it’s one of the very few new American plays to open on Broadway in recent years. It evokes the Broadway of old, when new plays by the likes of Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams and William Inge were born. And with the presence of a bona-fide movie star like Uma Thurman – even lovelier in person than she is on the screen – there’s a fair dose of glamour as well.
Those wanting to get a glimpse of the luminous Uma Thurman or a taste of the feeling of old Broadway will enjoy a visit with THE PARISIAN WOMAN.
When:
Thru March 11, 2018
Wednesdays and Thursdays 7:30 PM
Fridays 8:00 PM
Saturdays 3:00 PM and 8:00 PM
Sundays 2:30 PM and 7:30 PM
Where:
Hudson Theatre
139-141 West 44th Street
New York, NY 10036
