Guy de Maupassant is one of the most adapted writers of all time. His first story, Boule de Suif, about a young prostitute on a stagecoach with a gaggle of hypocrites, is the most adapted. It’s known for its biting social criticism, which makes it a logical choice for film/political writer J.D. Murphy to rework into a satiric “comic fable” for his first theatrical script.
Murphy’s Buttercup, produced by Intercontinental Drift, directed by Nancy Carlin and playing at Marin Shakespeare’s Downtown Theater through April 13, keeps the same base as the original. Buttercup (Gianna Digregorio Rivera) has her baby stolen by Sister Walter (Lizzie Calogero). In a bid to raise money to find her baby, Buttercup turns to prostitution during the briefly disastrous Franco-Prussian War.
Discovered by her long-lost lover, Albert (Titus Vanhook), she finds herself on an ill-fated coach journey to the coast. Halfway through their journey, they are detained by a Prussian officer (Brennan Pickman-Thoon) at an inn run by an enigmatic innkeeper (Norman Gee).
The cast is stacked with actors from some of the Bay Area’s most noted theatrical institutions. They are well-cast. The choreography by Bridgette Loriaux and the staging by Carlin are technically perfect, as the entire cast moves like a single organism. Maggie Whitaker’s costumes are fun and practical, and Randy Wong-Westbrooke’s set is a textbook example of minimalism. Lights by Christian V. Mejia transcend mere lights and instead create scenes themselves.
Rivera is a witty and charismatic actor who brings a believable feisty strength to the character of Buttercup. Highly talented physical actors backup Rivera. There are beautiful little touches of silliness, like the Prussian salute, and the physical mastery displayed by all is excellent.
With all that good work, this play should work but it doesn’t. It’s just not funny. The script doesn’t help. There are unnecessary scenes, and some plot points simply don’t make sense. By the end of the play, almost every scene begins with the actors sighing in boredom, which is a very odd choice given that the audience has been in their seats for more than an hour.
One of the first things actors are taught about comedy is “never ask for the laugh.” This play is a prime example of why. Being so wrapped up in the comedy and not the truth of the characters will always backfire.
Intercontinental Drift presents ‘Buttercup’ through April 13 at Marin Shakespeare Company’s Center for Performing Arts, Education, and Social Justice at 514 4th Street, San Rafael. Thurs-Sat, 7:30pm; Sat & Sun, 2pm. $20-$35. 415.388.5208. marinshakespeare.org.
