The ugly side of politics in 'Farragut North'

South Carolina is no stranger to political scandal. Politics always has been rife with backroom deals and quid pro quo.

For even the most idealistic, the desire for power can lead people to do things they never thought they would. The Village Playhouse's production of Beau Willimon's "Farragut North," running through March 26, illustrates the machinations behind political campaigns and how easily ambition and double dealing can derail a successful career.

Set in Des Moines, Iowa, just before the Iowa caucuses, Willimon based his story on his experiences working on Howard Dean's 2004 campaign for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. A good political thriller builds suspense and anticipation, but Willimon's script falls victim to predictability and moves along steadily as you would expect for a behind-the-scenes story of political scandal.

In the style of playwrights David Mamet and Neil LaBute, Willimon attempts to portray the harsh reality of political campaigns through the repeated use of obscenities: Politics is ugly, and so is the language. Yeah, we get that, but his characters come across as inarticulate hacks with limited vocabularies, which is inconsistent with the characters' professions e.g. press secretary and political reporter.

Willimon's plot is plausible and gripping at times, but the script lacks insight and full character development.

At 25, Stephen Bellamy (Samuel Jackel) is a super-star press secretary working for the leading candidate in a presidential primary. Paul Zara (Josh Wilhoit), the campaign manager, is his seasoned boss. Stephen's commitment to the campaign is unwavering, but one seemingly small decision casts his career and his moral compass into no-man's land. Adding to the mix is an attractive, young intern, Molly (Emily Giant) and an ambitious political reporter, Trish O'Shaughnessy (Lindsey Lamb).

Keely Enright's direction avoids melodrama in the dramatic tale of greed, sex and backstabbing manipulation, but the cast is too often underdramatic and speeds through the lines, lacking the complexity and intensity that is waiting to be released in the characters. Wilhoit achieves that intensity when he explains to Stephen the importance of loyalty. Dave Reinwald is grounded as Tom Duffy, the campaign manager for the rival opponent.

The luxurious, neo-classical set with a red velvet banquette and wooden tables is used throughout the production, which is confusing when the scene changes from an upscale bar to a dumpy bar and then later to the airport.

"Farragut North" is a morality play in the classical Greek style, confirming that character is fate. Political junkies will be disappointed that Willimon offers little enlightenment into politics. Politics is ugly, and too often the innocent tumble along with the guilty.