Ahoy, mateys! Benicia Unified Performers will be presenting its annual dinner theater fundraiser next Saturday with proceeds benefiting Mary Farmar Elementary’s art program. This time around, Mary Farmar’s Multi-Purpose Room will be transformed into a cruise that has been plundered by pirates for “Death on Deck.” This is the third year in a row that […]
Starbound Theatre to return to Benicia with ‘Sleeping Beauty’
Enrollment now available for ages 7-18 After a long slumber away from Benicia, Starbound Theatre will awaken with an adaptation of “Sleeping Beauty” rehearsed and performed right here in town. The Suisun City-based youth theatre-program was founded in 2003 but expanded in 2009 to start doing productions in other municipalities in Solano and Napa counties. […]
Benicia High School grad scores lead role in ‘Hamilton’
Austin Scott has had an incredible acting journey. The 2011 Benicia High School graduate has gone from starring in advertisements at the age of 8 to being cast in the title role in “Hamilton” for the smash hit musical’s national tour. “It’s a dream come true,” Scott said of his role. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award-winning […]
BOTTG seeking auditions for spring play, ‘Coming Apart’
Benicia Old Town Theatre Group (BOTTG) is known for its madcap comedies, and another one is coming this spring: Fred Carmichael’s “Coming Apart: A Romantic Comedy in Two Acts.” Auditions will be held in January. The play is described as a romantic comedy, centered around married couple Colin and Frances Kittridge. Both are employed in […]
Fantasy, reality become intertwined in Benicia High School fall production
One might associate fantasy fans and theater fans as being disparate groups of people, but they will come together for Benicia High School’s fall play “She Kills Monsters,” which opens tonight. However, the fantasy elements will be intertwined with the harsh realities of grieving and growing up. Qui Nguyen’s comedic drama only debuted off-Broadway in […]
Review: BOTTG’s ‘Wonderful Time’ a wonderful romp
Benicia Old Town Theatre Group’s production of “Having a Wonderful Time, Wish You Were Her” debuted to a packed house that laughed at just about every joke. Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore’s 1982 zany cringe comedy is packed with those, and with them being delivered at such a fast pace, this averaged to an […]
Benicia Old Town Theatre Group promises ‘Wonderful Time’ with fall play
For 53 years, Benicia Old Town Theatre Group (BOTTG) has specialized in bringing offbeat, off-the-wall and overall less conventional plays to Benicia. That will not change Friday with the opening of its fall play “Having a Wonderful Time, Wish You Were Her.” No, you wiseacres, that is not a typo. As the “Wish You Were […]
BOTTG at top of its ‘Game’ at Arty Awards
Benicia High School takes home 3 awards Benicia Old Town Theatre Group (BOTTG) had a good evening Sunday night. The local theater company took home five trophies in the Arty Awards for its fall and spring productions, including the top prize for its Sherlock Holmes-inspired comedy “The Game’s Afoot.” “Game” took home three awards in […]
BHS, BOTTG notch more than 40 Arty nominations
Once again, the nominations for the Arty Awards have been announced and once again, Benicia High School and Benicia Old Town Theatre Group (BOTTG) continue to dominate. The Arty Awards honor theater productions at all grade levels in Napa and Solano counties. Last year, the ceremony was held at Downtown Theatre in Fairfield, and Benicia […]
Comic actor Mike E. Winfield comes to Empress on Friday
Comedy shows are a chance to laugh until your cheekbones hurt, but they also can be an opportunity for self-reflection. As the bio for comedian Mike E. Winfield states, “Winfield in minutes will describe what has happened in your life that very day. Many often leave his live show saying, ‘Does he live with us?’” […]