Buttercup

Buttercup, the theatrical debut of St. Helena’s J.D. Murphy, now playing at Marin Shakespeare Company—is a smart, fast-paced, and delightfully ridiculous ride through 1880s France. Directed by Bay Area theater veteran Nancy Carlin, this new comedy delivers sharp satire disguised as farce, complete with door slamming, social skewering, and a heroine guided by visions of Joan of Arc.

From the opening moment, Lizzie Calogero sets the tone with comic precision as a witty, pipe-smoking nun who serves as our dryly observant narrator. With a raised eyebrow and the calm of someone who’s clearly seen it all, she introduces us to a world where social hypocrisy and comic mayhem go hand-in-hand.

Then the madness begins. The play features three doors onstage—always a good sign—and they’re constantly in use. But that’s not all. With a square stage setup, actors dash in and out from all four corners, weaving through the audience and into the action with perfectly-timed chaos. It’s physical comedy done right: choreographed confusion, crisp pacing, and just enough absurdity.

Gianna DiGregorio Rivera plays Buttercup with spark and sincerity, anchoring the show with warmth even as she leaps through farce-worthy hurdles. A former nun turned courtesan, Buttercup is determined to reunite with her baby daughter—and winds up in a traveling group of bourgeois couples, a cool-headed coachman, and a reserved Prussian officer. Her scenes bring both humor and heart, grounding the absurdity in real emotional stakes.

Nancy Carlin’s direction is tight, lively, and laced with nuance. She guides a strong ensemble—Rebecca Pingree, Titus VanHook, Brennan Pickman-Thoon, Richard Pallaziol, Norman Gee, Sarah Mitchell, and Brian Lohmann—through quick turns, layered dialogue, and rapid-fire entrances and exits, all while keeping the audience engaged and grinning.

The production is visually sharp, thanks to a talented creative team. Scenic designer Randy Wong-Westbrooke crafts a clever, flexible space. Maggie Whitaker’s costumes are a parade of period flair and comic exaggeration. Lighting by Christian Mejia, sound by Ray Archie, and choreography by Bridgette Loriaux all work together to support the show’s quick rhythm and high energy.

Underneath the laughs, Murphy’s script offers commentary on class divides, hypocrisy, and resilience. The humor lands, but so does the message. Buttercup is farce with a brain—and a soul.

Performances run through April 13, at Marin Shakespeare Company, 514 Fourth Street, San Rafael. The show runs Thursdays through Sundays. Evening performances are at 7:30 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets are $20–35, available at purplepass.com/buttercup. More information at buttercupstage.com.

Murphy, known for his award-winning film Valley of the Heart’s Delight and political satire, proves he knows how to stir theater into the mix. Buttercup is quick, clever, and consistently fun. A terrific debut—and a thoroughly entertaining night out.