■ Annual ‘Artys’ to be held Saturday in Fairfield; actors from ‘Same Time Next Year,’ ‘Sunshine Boys’ get nods

In each of the past 30 years, the Benicia Old Town Theatre Group has had nominees for the annual Arty Awards, and this year is no exception, Dyanne Vojvoda, company spokesperson, said.

Both of its qualifying productions, “Same Time Next Year” and “The Sunshine Boys,” are in the running for Outstanding Adult Comedy, she said.

Among its nominations, BOTTG has five for acting performances, one for each of the directors of the two comedies, and five in three design categories.

For the first time in its 30-year history, the Arty Awards gala, which takes place Sunday in Fairfield, will be produced by a new corporation, Performing Arts Network (PAN-Arts), a nonprofit organization that supports and promotes performing and visual arts in Solano County and neighboring regions.

Prior to this year, the ceremony, which honors theatrical productions in Solano County, was produced by The Daily Republic newspaper, which founded the awards.

The venue also has moved to Solano Community College’s theater, which Vojvoda said is the first of several theater sites PAN-Arts plans to use for its gala.

While the ceremony itself has changed hands, the method by which productions are nominated has remained the same, Vojvoda said.

Volunteer reviewers — at least five for each production — secretly observe and score the plays, then meet as a group to tabulate results and select nominees, she said.

Vojvoda said BOTTG has plenty of competition this year.

“There are many wonderful companies,” she said. “But our chances are very good. We had two well-produced comedies: ‘The Sunshine Boys’ is very clever and was well acted. ‘Same Time Next Year’ is classic nostalgia, looking at years past.” That production, too, had a talented cast, she said.

Arty nominee Douglas Dildine directed “The Sunshine Boys” for BOTTG, and the two lead actors, Mark Jordan and Jerry Motta, have been nominated for the lead actor award.

For Natasha Harris, who owns Posh, a downtown Benicia business, “The Sunshine Boys” was her first theatrical experience. “She had never been on stage before,” Vojvoda said. But she also garnered a nomination, for supporting actress for her role as a vaudeville nurse.

Hester Schell has been nominated for directing “Same Time Next Year,” Vojvoda said. Rebecca Grayce received a nomination for lead actress for that production and Alan Coyne is nominated for lead actor.

Vojvoda herself earned two nominations, for costume design in both “Same Time Next Year” and “The Sunshine Boys.”

Ken Hein, who years ago directed at BOTTG, designed the lighting for “The Sunshine Boys,” and has been nominated for his work.

Brian Hough has been nominated for his set designs for both “Same Time Next Year” and “The Sunshine Boys.”

No matter what happens at the awards ceremony gala, BOTTG won’t be resting on its laurels.

Its next production is the crime thriller “Dial M for Murder,” by Frederick Knott, which will run from Oct. 17 to Nov. 8. Grayce has been cast in the role of Margot Wendice, made popular by Grace Kelly in the 1954 Hitchcock movie.

Also in the works is the comedy “Don’t Dress for Dinner,” Marc Camoletti’s sequel to his hit “Boeing-Boeing,” scheduled for April 17 to May 9. That play has been described by reviewers as “hurtling along at the speed of light,” and that instead of tickling funny bones, it gives “a series of rib-rousing strokes.”

The 30th annual Arty Awards gala will start at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Solano College Theatre, 4000 Suisun Valley Road, Fairfield.

A reception after the ceremony will honor both nominees and award recipients. Tickets to the event are $25 for general admission and $20 for those attending in groups of 10 or more, nominees plus one, and students with identification. They are available online at www.pan-arts.org.