Anyone sensing a RADIO GOLF upset for Best Play?

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 5/8/07 at 11:30am

From the New York Drama Critics Circle awarding it Best American Play last night, with UTOPIA snagging Best Play, does anyone see the possibility of RADIO GOLF snagging the Best Play Tony Award over UTOPIA if it is well-received tonight?

UTOPIA will be closed already, and the voters may want to posthumously award August Wilson a final Tony Award.

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 5/8/07 at 11:32am

It's possible, but I think voters will want to recognize Utopia also since it's a massive achievement. Anyway, we might know more once the reviews come out tonight.

~Steven

[bjh2114]

Posted: 5/8/07 at 11:39am

While I think it's possible, I also think it is highly unlikely. Utopia is a beast of a production. It's absolutely massive, and will no doubt pick up every other award along the way. I personally didn't enjoy Radio Golf, but only the reviews will tell tonight.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 5/8/07 at 11:40am

I don't think it would be an "upset". I think it is very probable. Now a Tony for Best Play to Deuce? THAT would be an upset.

[WOSQ]

Posted: 5/8/07 at 11:48am

Radio Golf is one of the weaker plays in the Wilson canon to me, and I think I saw them all but Jitney. There was nothing new presented in this play. The character of the wife seemed like a device and the two neighborhood folks were very entertaining devices. Also those last two steal the play and the focus from the lead which is not good construction.

The one thing about the corruption talked about in Radio Golf is that it is black-on-black corruption and that had not been confronted in drama previously at least to my knowledge.

I was disappointed with Radio Golf.

[TommyTunesSon]

Posted: 5/8/07 at 12:00pm

The Coast Of Utopia is one of the very few LOCKS for a tony award this year - there is no way that a poor play such as Radio Golf (which I hope won't even get a nomination) would win. For the record, I would vote for Coram Boy!

[Testing1232]

Posted: 5/8/07 at 12:27pm

<< For the record, I would vote for Coram Boy! >>

Now you're talkin' !!!

I was listening in on some of the conversation that the "CB" producers were having prior to the show last Friday.

They were saying that their "people" (whatever that meant-- one said "people within their inner circle") were saying that "Coram's" only competition would be "Utopia"-

Then they had a really funny conversation about the NY reviews.

They went off on the Daily News and the NY Post--- claiming that "CB" is too highbrow for them to understand. They pushed the NY Times review as being VERY positive.

[keen on kean]

Posted: 5/8/07 at 12:30pm

I haven't seen RADIO GOLF but I have seen UTOPIA and hope it gets the Tony - not only massive but peopled with extraordinary characters.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 5/8/07 at 12:36pm

Just to clarify, my opinion is not based on having seen either play, but with this being the last of Wilson's new plays to reach Broadway, his passing and the fact that he is one of the most beloved American playwrights in History I would fully expect him be nominated if not win, even if this is not his strongest work.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/8/07 at 12:40pm

I don't think so.

The play doesn't have a "wow" factor or pack a punch quite like UTOPIA, or even FROST/NIXON does.

RADIO GOLF may very well be the best new American play on Broadway (which isn't saying much) - but FROST/NIXON is certainly more of an accomplishment than RADIO GOLF.

[keen on kean]

Posted: 5/8/07 at 6:17pm

Sueleen - I see your point. I can imagine a sympathy nomination under these circumsytances, but in a strong season it seems less likely.

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 5/8/07 at 10:07pm

I also feel like Utopia has it tied up.

I do think that Radio Golf will be nominated, though.

And I think Coram Boy would be the most likely candidate to topple Utopia.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 5/8/07 at 10:30pm

"And I think Coram Boy would be the most likely candidate to topple Utopia."

While I think this is true in for the technical categories (lighting, costumes, set), I think that Utopia's stiffest competition in the Best Play category is Frost/Nixon. Not that it matters becuase Utopia is going to sweep, taking at least those 4 Tonys, plus 1 for Jack O'Brien, plus probably featured actor and actress for Crudup and Ehle. That would make 7 wins for one play. Would that make it the most Tony award winning play of all time? I remember History Boys tied with something at 6, didn't it?

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 5/8/07 at 11:19pm

I think Utopia has it in the bag. Any chance Utopia will extend?

[bjh2114]

Posted: 5/8/07 at 11:36pm

"Any chance Utopia will extend?"

Utopia already extended once, and they are scheduled to close this Sunday, so I am guessing the answer is no. It would be EXTREMELY short notice.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 5/8/07 at 11:40pm

I haven't seen RADIO GOLF but I have seen UTOPIA and hope it gets the Tony - not only massive but peopled with extraordinary characters.

Really? Extraordinary characters? The only two characters that left any sort of three-dimensional impression on me were those played by Ethan Hawke and Billy Crudup. The others were pretty dull and run of the mill. Certainly not EXTRAORDINARY.

[Bobby Maler]

Posted: 5/9/07 at 12:52am

Foster, I totally agree with you..Coast of Utopia was filled with talking heads with very little character development at all. I found it boring saved only by Billy Crudup's amazing performance in part 1.

That being said, after seeing Coram Boy, I'm pretty sure that Coast will take every award. When put in contrast to each other, Coram Boy comes across as extremely shallow. Epic, to be sure, but moving from plot point to plot point so quickly that it did not engage my intellect nor imagination.

With the gorgeous production qualities that Coast has, coupled with the ambition of the project alone and a director who was more than up to the task, I don't think one can dismiss it.

I think Tony voters may be LOOKING for a reason not to vote for Coast...I'm sure I'm not alone in resenting its bombast...but everything this season will be compared to it. I havn't seen Frost/Nixon or Radio Golf. Brantley's rave for Radio Golf will surely make it a contender, and as the only American play, I think its chances are stronger than Coram Boy's, but since everyone is saying it's good but August Wilson's weakest work, I doubt that even the venerable Mr. Wilson can stop Stoppard this year.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 5/9/07 at 11:55am

Given the reviews that I have seen for "RG", I think its a very strong contender right now. Personally, I would love for "CB" to win, but love Wilson, and thought "RG" was excellent- !

[folkyboy]

Posted: 5/9/07 at 1:23pm

what is so wonderful about August Wilson is that even his weaker material is so wonderfully done. the man was a legend.

alas, i don't think he'll be awarded the Tony. everyone is right, Utopia is got it in the bag.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/9/07 at 1:26pm

I still think that FROST/NIXON is the runner-up here.

RADIO GOLF would have a greater chance of winning of Wilson were still alive.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 5/9/07 at 2:17pm

<< RADIO GOLF would have a greater chance of winning of Wilson were still alive.
>>

Just to keep a great thread going, and play devil's advocate...
"RG" might just win because he is no longer alive.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/9/07 at 2:23pm

I honesly don't think it will happen.

[lildogs]

Posted: 5/9/07 at 2:36pm

RG will def be nominated, but I doubt it can win against the snob appeal of Stoppard, the "splendor" of CORAM or the buzz around F/N...I'd predict F/N to win...but wtf do I know?

[Testing1232]

Posted: 5/9/07 at 2:41pm

I think Langella will win, but "F/N" wont -

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/9/07 at 2:45pm

Langella will be F/N's sole win.