Shakespeare in the Vineyard has been a staple in the Tri-Valley for more than 20 years. SPARC Theater, formerly known as Livermore Shakespeare Festival, will be returning to the company's new stage at Darcie Kent Vineyards starting in June. This year the  company is opening with Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson, who is one of the most produced playwrights in the country. Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing will complete the 2023 summer season.

"Silent Sky is based on the true story of Henrietta Leavitt, a 19th-century astronomer who tries to find her place in the world while studying the stars," according to Program Manager Audrey Brooks. "Combining science, music, and heart, Henrietta and her female peers pave the way for an immeasurable discovery." Silent Sky director Jennifer Le Blanc has been an associate artist with SPARC for over a decade. The union actor, director, writer, and teacher is no stranger to the material, notes Brooks, who says Le Blanc was in the regional premier of Silent Sky at TheatreWorks in 2014 in the role of Margaret.

Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing is one of his most popular works, according to Brooks. "The play centers on love, honor, and deception, which leads to almost tragic consequences. Claudio and Hero fall in love and attempt to play matchmaker for Beatrice and Benedick, who can't stop bickering about how they hate love," at least until the comedy's happy ending. Director for Much Ado About Nothing is Lisa A. Tromovitch, Founding Artistic Director of SPARC. "Much Ado is one of my favorite plays, with highly intelligent characters engaged in witty dialogue, clowns earnestly attempting to be great citizens, while real-world relationships and vulnerabilities keep the story grounded," says Tromovitch. "It's a fantastic night out."

Preview and Family Night for Silent Sky will be held on June 22, 2023. The show will run on weekends until July 9. Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing will run from Preview and Family Night on July 14, 2023 until closing on August 6. Tickets for the plays are available now. All performances will be at Darcie Kent Vineyards in Livermore.

SPARC Theater also holds summer classes for students entering third to fifth grades and entering sixth to eighth grade. Class activities include acting, movement, public speaking, physical comedy, stage combat, and theater games. This is an ensemble-based show, so everyone will have plenty to work on during class. This program will culminate in a 30-minute performance for family and friends.

For 2023, younger students will participate in a condensed version of The Little Mermaid in three-hour classes held from July 17 to July 28. Older students will participate in Mini Much Ado About Nothing, a condensed version of the classic play, in three-hour classes held the same week. No previous experience is required. "For the safety of other students and staff, we ask all students that are eligible be vaccinated," according to officials. Payment plans and scholarships for summer classes are available, according to the organization.

For more information about SPARC Theater, please visit www.sparctheater.org or call (925) 443-2273.
To register children for summer classes, please visit www.sparctheater.org/somehavegreatness.