1992. Two Acts. Large, flexible cast (minimum 6M, 6W)   First produced by the Pulse Ensemble Theatre Co. in New York City in December, 1992. Produced by the Attic Theater, Los Angeles, October, 1993. Produced by the WJ Student Theater, Washington, PA in November, 1994. Optioned for television development by LeFrak Productions, 1994.   JASMINE 1 JASMINE 2 MIRIAM CONNIE JEFF TRISH TEDESCO and 5 to 7 additional actors who play DOCTOR TEACHERS PUBLIC DEFENDER PROSECUTING ATTORNEY JUDGE BAILIFF APPELLATE JUDGE MEDIA POLICE PARENTS CHILDREN   Buttercup is based on several celebrated child abuse investigations from around the country, particularly the Kelly Ann Michaels case. (Ms. Michaels’ conviction was overturned by the New Jersey Supreme Court in April, 1993.) The play explores the fears of parents, sexual paranoia and mass hysteria. The material is realistic, but is presented in the manner of an cinematic extravaganza, juxtaposing intimate scenes with crowds, commotion and media commentary. Although serious, the play also has a good deal of darkly satirical comedy.   During a routine physical checkup, a cryptic remark from JASMINE, a fouryear old girl, inadvertently sets into motion a chain of events which wreak havoc in the lives of her parents, JEFF and CONNIE, and her preschool teacher, MIRIAM. Two child psychologists, skeptical TRISH and messianic TEDESCO, coax forth from the reluctant Jasmine a cryptic, grotesque, often contradictory tale of bizarre sexual abuse at her pre-school. Jeff becomes suspicious when Jasmine tells him the psychologists made her lie, but Connie becomes firmly convinced that the abuse took place. More children are interviewed in the same way, with similar results, and Miriam, completely baffled, is arrested. The tide of public opinion, fanned by the media, is fully against her. The rift between Jeff and Connie widens when Jeff visits Miriam in prison and tells her he thinks she’s innocent and they separate. At the trial, Trish’s testimony helps the prosecution make up in emotional appeal what it lacks for evidence, and Miriam’s plaintive statements fall on deaf ears. Jeff testifies on Miriam’s behalf but is defamed as a negligent parent and Miriam’s possible accomplice. Trish thinks this is going too far and begins to think the whole business might be a sham after all. When Miriam loses control in court and lashes out at her accusers, it’s the final nail in the coffin; she is found guilty and sentenced to 89 years. The case is appealed. Trish breaks with Tedesco and refuses to help the prosecution further. The APPELLATE JUDGE overturns the verdict. But the damage has been done. Miriam, though free, has had her life destroyed and suffers a complete emotional breakdown. Years later, Jeff meets secretly with Jasmine, now 16. She’s positive she was abused by Miriam when she was four; Jeff is positive she wasn’t. The distance between them seems too great to bridge, although there is a final indication of hope.   excerptButtercup_excerpt.htmlshapeimage_2_link_0
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