SPARC Theater Celebrates 20 Years with a Bold 1990s Hamlet in the Vineyards

SPARC Theater Celebrates 20 Years with a Bold 1990s Hamlet in the Vineyards
A high-stakes psychological thriller of power, revenge and aching love—under the summer sky

Livermore, CA — SPARC theater marks its 20th Anniversary season with a striking new production of Hamlet—reimagined as the Cold War of the late 1980s dissolves to war, performed under the stars at Darcie Kent Vineyards.

Running July 2–26, 2026, this outdoor production reveals William Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy as a gripping, fast-moving psychological drama set in a decade defined by shifting power, public image, and the beginning of our lack of trust in truth itself. Against the backdrop of vineyard sunsets and open sky, audiences are invited into a world where truth is elusive, loyalty is fragile, and appearances can be dangerously deceiving.

When Prince Hamlet returns home to find his father dead and his mother newly married to his uncle—now king—his world is already unraveling. But when his father’s ghost reveals the truth of his murder, Hamlet is thrust into a relentless pursuit of justice. As suspicion spreads and alliances fracture, Hamlet must navigate a court steeped in manipulation, performance, and hidden agendas.

Set in the 1990s—a time of political scandal, media spin, and cultural upheaval—this production draws a sharp line between Shakespeare’s Denmark and our own modern landscape. In a world where perception can outweigh truth, Hamlet becomes a chilling exploration of what happens when certainty disappears and action feels impossible.
Andre Amarotico takes on the role of Hamlet, a role he last visited as a Stanford student. A familiar face on Bay Area stages, Amarotico’s recent credits include M. Butterfly at SF Playhouse, McNeal at San Jose Stage, and Assassins with Hillbarn Theatre, which earned him a Bay Area Critics Circle Award nomination for Best Lead in a Musical. Known for his emotional depth, intelligence, and dynamic stage presence, he brings a compelling contemporary edge to Shakespeare’s iconic prince.

“Setting Hamlet in the 1990s allows us to explore the intersection of private grief and public image in a way that feels immediate and recognizable,” says Director/Producer Lisa Tromovitch. “It’s a decade many of us remember—but it’s also the beginning of the world we’re living in now.”
Performed outdoors at Darcie Kent Vineyards, the production pairs Shakespeare’s most famous lines with a uniquely immersive setting. Audiences are invited to bring a picnic, enjoy local wine, and experience one of the greatest plays ever written in the English language in an unforgettable environment.