Biography

RICK SPARKS
323.708.5392
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Rick Sparks is the recipient of 20 Theatre Awards for his work as writer, director, choreographer, producer, actor and sound designer. 
When the runaway hits Divorce The Musical and Schoolhouse Rock Live Too  ran simultaneously (and both L.A. Times Critics’ Choices) they inspired the national publication Backstage to claim Rick “one of five stage ‘Directors You Ought To Know” in the country. 

Rick was previously lauded for his stage adaptation and direction of They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? , based on the Horace McCoy novella.  The immersive drama set within a depression era dance marathon galloped away as the commercial and critical hit of the Los Angeles theatre season.  The production nabbed 17  theatre award wins and was labeled as multiple 'Critic's Choice'.  Later it was optioned for a production at Harvard University.

I Love Lucy Live On Stage (Directed, Staged, and Co-Adapted by Rick) ended of its second year of a National Tour roaming the US and Canada.  It originally premiered (and ran for 109 sold out performances) in Los Angeles at the Greenway Court Theatre. Soon it moved for a sit-down run in Chicago at the Broadway Playhouse. 


‘It’s a Valentine to America’s favorite foursome’, says Sparks. The premier production went on to grab 8 Broadway World Awards including Best Musical and Best Director, and a StageScene award for Rick's Direction as well as an Ovation nom.  In March of 2015, the show went on to win the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circles' "Best Touring Performance" Award.  

Some other direction and staging credits of Rick's include A Clockwork Orange (2nd Drama Critic’s Circle Award), Psycho Beach Party (L.A. premier and multi award winner), Down South (NY and L.A. productions), Clutter by Mark Saltzman, the west coast premier of John Patrick Shanley’s Where’s My Money?, Highballs Ahoy!, Dead Bride Running, A Charlie Brown Commercial Christmas, Daddy, Trio, The Nothing Boys, Don’t Talk to the Actors, That Perfect Moment, Kiss Me Kate, There’s No Place Like Hollywood, Tallulah, Inconceivable, Tiger By The Tail, and Sheila Sands Live At The Roxy produced by Lily Tomlin. Most recently Rick has been in development of the new musical Mutt House, as well as the stage comedy Love Quest.   

As Actor, Rick made his Broadway debut replacing Terrence V. Mann (original Rum Tum Tugger) on Broadway in a two year run of Cats at the Winter Garden Theatre.  Soon after, Rick became an original cast member in the First National touring company of Les Miserables, followed by Rick's Broadway return in the original company of Sunset Blvd. starring Glenn Close. 
                            Rick originally traveled to Chicago in the early 1980’s appearing as Edith’s lover in the Apollo Theater production of Bravo! A Musical Portrait Of Edith Piaf.  During the run he was beckoned for David Bell’s award winning production of Chicago.  Almost immediately, Rick was cast in the ground breaking original company of Wisdom Bridge Theatre’s Kabuki Medea. The show eventually toured to Washington’s Kennedy Center.