The past two years have certainly shown us the highs and lows of presidential campaigns. Beau Willimon learned all about politicking firsthand, by working on the Howard Dean campaign and presumably drew on those experiences to write Farragut North.

The dirty dealings behind the scenes in this narrowly-focused fictional tale should come as no surprise, but it's still insightful and gripping enough to earn a vote for the year's sharpest political drama.

Stephen is the 25-year-old press secretary to an unseen presidential candidate in the weeks just before January's Iowa Caucuses. Despite his young age, he's logged many hours and miles in a number of campaigns across the country.

One campaign even echoes the New York senatorial race between Charles Schumer and Al D'Amato. All the names are fictitious but politicos will have fun making real-life comparisons.

Stephen works for communications director Paul, a political veteran, and while both reek of cynicism after years of slogging through the mud, this time they seem to have a renewed sense of idealism.

Still, they can't resist the art of the spin, taking pleasure in manipulating a New York Times reporter, who in turn manipulates them. And a rival campaign manager spells out the playbook on how to steal elections.

There's also a couple of young staffers - one volunteer who tries to play the game and gets burned, and another seemingly-naïve and eager guy who's smart enough to keep his nose clean.

With expert direction from Doug Hughes, Willimon's crackling dialogue gets a first-rate platform.

The performances are especially strong across the board. John Gallagher Jr., who won a Tony in "Spring Awakening," is sensational here as a scorpion who stings himself. Christopher Noth earns high approval ratings as a political hack who keeps us guessing.

“Farragut North” is a tightly executed work that may not teach us anything new, but it's a pungent reminder that in the world of politics, lofty ideals and gutter tactics make for the strangest of bedfellows.