(Left to right) Jeff Garrigues, Rebekah Vega and Scott Poitras all received Arty Award nods for their work in Benicia Old Town Theatre Group’s “Keeping Down with the Joneses.” (BOTTG photo)

When it comes to theater, Benicia has plenty to celebrate. After all, two of the city’s theatrical institutions– Benicia Old Town Theatre Group and Benicia High School’s drama department– have racked up a combined 43 nominations for the 32nd annual Arty Awards.

The Artys, which honor theater productions at all age levels in Solano and Napa counties, will return to Fairfield this year following its presence in Vacaville last year. BOTTG is well-represented for its productions of “Two Trains Running” and “Keeping Down with the Joneses.”

“Two Trains Running,” the race relations drama which was performed in October, received the bulk of BOTTG’s nominations, particularly in the adult drama category. Eligible contenders include Trevor Lawrence and George Simmons for Best Supporting Actor, Chelsea Bearce for Best Lead Actress, Errick Thompson and Clinton Vidal for Best Lead Actor, Terrence Ivory for Best Director, Jeff Sloan for Best Sound Design, Brian Hough for Best Set Design, Ken Hein for Best Lighting Design and Dyanne Vojvoda for Best Costume Design. Additionally, the show is also up for Outstanding Production.

Of course, the British comedy “Keeping Down with the Joneses” which was performed in the spring, also received its share of nominations. Those reaching for gold trophies include Janet Duhe, Natasha Harris and Rebekah Vega for Best Supporting Actress in an Adult Comedy; Jeff Garrigues and Scott Poitras for Best Supporting Actor; Ron Garrison for Best Director and Vojvoda for Best Costume Design.

In the high school comedy/drama and musical categories, Benicia High received 23 nominations for its fall production “Our Town” and spring musical “Seussical,” respectively. “Our Town” nominees include Wynton Day for Best Actor, Pilar Gonzales and Maya Singh Sharkey for Best Actress, Abigail Johnson and Kristina Marshall for Best Supporting Actress, Christine Mani for Best Director, Emma Michels for Best Costume Design, Phil Alexander for Best Lighting Design and Mani for Best Set Design.

“Seussical” nominees include Hamish Dinsdale for Best Actor; Sydney Chow, Pilar Gonzales and Paula Pagalan for Best Actress; Meghan Heald for Best Supporting Actress; Mani and Staci Arriaga for Best Director; Vivian McLaughlin for Best Musical Director; Arriaga and Kevin Gruwell for Best Choreography; Linda Wichelmann for Best Costume Design; Lauren Thomas for Best Lighting Design; Alexander for Best Set Design; and Damien Brown and Alina Martinez for Best Sound Design.

Both “Our Town” and “Seussical” are up for Outstanding High School Comedy or Drama and Outstanding High School Musical, respectively. Additionally, new Benicia High drama teacher Nathan Day received directing and set, lighting and sound design nods for his work on “Blithe Spirit” and “The Exonerated” at Rodriguez High School last year.

The Arty Awards will be held from 5 to 8:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 9 at Fairfield’s Downtown Theatre, located at 1035 Texas St. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at siteline.vendini.com/site/downtowntheatre.com.

(Photo by Nick Sestanovich)

(Left to right) Maya Singh Sharkey and Hamish Dinsdale received acting nods for their performances as Mayzie La Bird and Horton the Elephant in Benicia High School’s spring production of “Seussical.” The fall production of “Our Town” also received several nominations.

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