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Livermore-based SPARC Theater is getting intimately close to its Shakespeare roots with a special adapted version of a Bard classic around Valentine’s Day.
“Romance & Juliet” will be a three-actor retelling of “Romeo and Juliet” at the troupe’s studio in downtown on Feb. 14 and the following weekend. The script-in-hand performances will be directed by Molly Noble and feature three rising talents, including a Livermore actress who studied at Las Positas College.
“I especially love working with young artists, just starting out on their professional careers. It’s such an exciting time. They give it their all and bring real joy to the work,” said Noble, who may be familiar to SPARC audiences after playing Mrs. Jennings in a prior production of “Sense and Sensibility”.
With three shows set this month, “Romance & Juliet” will star Livermore’s Sierra Bolar as Juliet, Nic Moore as Romeo and Karen Offereins as the narrator with several roles.
“I can’t say enough good things about my experience at Las Positas; especially its theatre department. It was educational being under the direction of someone with as much experience as the late Ken Ross, and then having the opportunity to pursue advanced training at (CSU) Long Beach,” Bolar said in a press release. “We delved into things like clown and mask work. It prepared us for the real world where each show requires different skills.”
Bolar has a particular interest in theater, both musical and drama, but her most-recent acting jobs have been at theme parks like California’s Great America and Knott’s Berry Farm.
“Working in theme parks really taught me how to make choices and commit to them in-the-moment. You can hone improv skills when you work live, interacting with patrons,” she said. “I do tend to prefer live theater over film or television though. Not that I’d turn down a TV role!”
“Romance & Juliet” will be staged at the SPARC Studio at 2172 Railroad Ave. in Livermore at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14 and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 17. For tickets and more information, go to SPARCtheater.org or 925-443-2273.