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The SPARC Theater cast and crew are busy preparing for their debut performance of “Twelfth Night” — the classic Shakespeare romantic comedy complete with plenty of twists and turns, being brought to the stage under the stars in Livermore Valley wine country throughout July.
With a preview and family night on Friday before opening night this Saturday, “Twelfth Night” is set to be staged 13 times during its run at Darcie Kent Vineyards on Tesla Road in Livermore as part of SPARC’s annual Shakespeare in the Vineyard program.
“The shared look of joy on our audience’s faces proves that experiencing the magic of live storytelling surpasses passively watching a pre-made film or TV show. Our production of ‘Twelfth Night’ includes a lot of joy along with six professional actors who each bring multiple characters to life through accents, music and exceptional acting skills,” the show’s director, Lisa Tromovitch, told Livermore Vine.
“It’s really an amazing roller coaster to be on. The quick changes backstage are a show unto themselves,” Tromovitch added.
The 1602 play by William Shakespeare is a tale of mistaken identities and courtships involving twins Sebastian and Viola, the latter of whom dresses as a boy to work for — and ultimately falls in love with — Duke Orsino, who wants to court Countess Olivia (who actually falls for incognito Viola), according to a recap from the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust online.
Adapted for the Livermore stage by Jennifer Le Blanc and directed by Tromovitch, the SPARC production stars Li-Leng Au as Sebastian (and Valentine and Maria), Laura Domingo as Viola, and Actors’ Equity Association actors Cassidy Brown as Orsino (and Malvolio) and Elena Wright as Olivia (and Sir Andrew), with supporting roles filled by Matt Ballin and Gregg Le Blanc.
The shows run on Fridays through Sundays from this weekend through July 28, plus another family night on July 18, with showtime at 7:30 p.m. each evening. The grounds will open up at Darcie Kent Vineyards at 6 p.m. for pre-performance picnicking and wine sales, organizers said.
“After two years of re-building our SPARC community out at Darcie Kent Vineyards, we are overjoyed to see the fantastic response we have already received for ‘Twelfth Night,'” SPARC managing director Lindsey Schmeltzer told Livermore Vine.
As announced this spring, SPARC is also bringing its “Twelfth Night” production indoors later this summer, with a run at the historic Village Theatre in downtown Danville from Aug. 9-25.
“With the strong cast that Lisa has put together, our extension into Danville couldn’t have come at a better time. Our staff is eager to begin building a new community in Danville while making our production accessible to those who aren’t able to join us outdoors,” Schmeltzer said.
For tickets or more information, visit sparctheater.org.
