I am really shocked that ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS did not get a Best Play nomination....

[undercoveractor]

I am really shocked that ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS did not get a Best Play nomination....#1

Posted: 5/1/12 at 6:15pm

This has been, hands down, my favorite show of the season and I thought that it was a shoo in. Awards season always has surprises, but this one really shocked me. Fully expected to see a thread about this already, but maybe I am in the minority here......

[followspot]

I am really shocked that ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS did not get a Best Play nomination....#2

Posted: 5/1/12 at 6:23pm

Haven't seen it yet (catching up with it tomorrow), but I was surprised too. Do you think the fact that OMTG is an adaptation of an already existing classic play might have been a factor? (serious question)

"Tracy... Hold Mama's waffles."

[TheSeafarer]

I am really shocked that ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS did not get a Best Play nomination....#2

Posted: 5/1/12 at 9:43pm

Very upset that Guvnors was not nominated for best new play, it was hands down the funniest show I've ever seen on Broadway.

[bjh2114]

I am really shocked that ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS did not get a Best Play nomination....#3

Posted: 5/1/12 at 10:21pm

I think the big problem is that so much of the show is unscripted. It was probably very difficult for the nominating committee to separate the play itself from James' performance and Hytner's direction.

[Mr Roxy]

I am really shocked that ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS did not get a Best Play nomination....#4

Posted: 5/1/12 at 10:49pm

Venus In Fur gets a nod but One Man & The Lyons get snubbed?

Poster Emeritus

[Copperfield2]

I am really shocked that ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS did not get a Best Play nomination....#5

Posted: 5/1/12 at 10:58pm

I actually was not surprised One Man, Two Guvnors was overlooked. It's not a great play and I found the second act it ran out of steam. The cast is delightful. I also found the endless musical interludes tedious in order to make scenery changes. I know a lot of people find it hysterically funny but I was very disappointed. I think I was expected too much with all the advance hype.

[blisseau]

I am really shocked that ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS did not get a Best Play nomination....#6

Posted: 5/2/12 at 1:00am

I'm surprised as well. I saw this show twice when it was in previews and I adored it. Never laughed so hard before at a show.

I think the big problem is that so much of the show is unscripted.

Actually, this isn't quite true. I don't want to give too much away, but after having seen the show twice, I discovered/confirmed much of the seemingly unscripted bits are actually scripted. The beauty is that James Corden is so great in this role, he makes you believe those moments are unscripted (which made those moments so hilarious to me the first time around).

[dramamama611]

I am really shocked that ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS did not get a Best Play nomination....#7

Posted: 5/2/12 at 2:43am

***POSSIBLE SPOLERS****

Bliss is mostly correct. The bits that SEEM improvisational are not, but bits that are interchangeable and used all the time. But yes, Corden does them beautifully.

The word is that the producers killed chances at this being nominated when they tried to get this classified as a revival, so that it would have a better chance to win. Supposedly, that pissed off the nominating committee. At first, I thought that sounded ridiculous, but I've seen that claim in a number of places, and it makes more sense now that it has sunk in.

If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.

[PalJoey]

I am really shocked that ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS did not get a Best Play nomination....#8

Posted: 5/2/12 at 7:16am

Read the articles.

Apparently, it was politics and revenge by the nominating committee on the producers, who petitioned unsuccessfully to have it declared a revival.

EDIT: Sorry. I hadn't had my coffee yet.

Updated On: 5/2/12 at 07:16 AM

[dramamama611]

I am really shocked that ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS did not get a Best Play nomination....#9

Posted: 5/2/12 at 7:27am

(didn't I just say that?)

If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.

[Patash]

I am really shocked that ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS did not get a Best Play nomination....#10

Posted: 5/2/12 at 8:19am

There's an echo in here! There's an echo in here!

[ColorTheHours048]

I am really shocked that ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS did not get a Best Play nomination....#11

Posted: 5/2/12 at 8:57am

VENUS IN FUR is an incredibly clever play and very well written. I'm not at all shocked it got a nomination. I would, however, have nominated just about anything over the criminally overrated OTHER DESERT CITIES.

[followspot]

I am really shocked that ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS did not get a Best Play nomination....#12

Posted: 5/2/12 at 9:24am

I would, however, have nominated just about anything over the criminally overrated OTHER DESERT CITIES

Thank you! I've retitled it HAM AND BALONEY in my mind, because that's all I got from that production. At least Joe Mantello and the insufferable Rachel Griffiths were bypassed. Fingers crossed for a PETER & THE STARCATCHERS or CLYBOURNE PARK win!

"Tracy... Hold Mama's waffles."

[bjh2114]

I am really shocked that ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS did not get a Best Play nomination....#13

Posted: 5/2/12 at 10:54am

Actually, this isn't quite true. I don't want to give too much away, but after having seen the show twice, I discovered/confirmed much of the seemingly unscripted bits are actually scripted. The beauty is that James Corden is so great in this role, he makes you believe those moments are unscripted (which made those moments so hilarious to me the first time around).

and

***POSSIBLE SPOLERS****

Bliss is mostly correct. The bits that SEEM improvisational are not, but bits that are interchangeable and used all the time. But yes, Corden does them beautifully.

Guys... I know this. I was the one telling everyone else this weeks ago after the first preview. I read the play while I was in London last summer after seeing it the first time. I wasn't referring to the gag bits with the "audience" interaction. I was referring to James' one-liner asides to the audience. "That would have killed in Britain" for instance. But yes, I suppose I should have said "so much of the show SEEMS unscripted" instead of "is unscripted" to make everyone happy. But what you both said is exactly my point as to why it wasn't nominated.

[Patash]

I am really shocked that ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS did not get a Best Play nomination....#14

Posted: 5/2/12 at 11:10am

But since -- according to other posts here about the nominations -- BEST PLAY means BEST PRODUCTION OF A PLAY, and not best script for a play, what difference does that make?

I'd also subscribe to the idea that the show was shut out in the category because of their request to make it a best revival -- really a pretty lame way to try to win an award in my book. It is NOT even close to being the same play as A Servant of Two Masters. If every play based on some other material is eliminated from best play -- there wouldn't be much left.

Updated On: 5/2/12 at 11:10 AM

[iluvtheatertrash]

I am really shocked that ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS did not get a Best Play nomination....#15

Posted: 5/2/12 at 11:12am

I seriously thought I was the only person who thought OTHER DESERT CITIES was an overhyped BORE. Thank God I'm not alone. It DOES get better!

"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman

Updated On: 5/2/12 at 11:12 AM

[dramamama611]

I am really shocked that ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS did not get a Best Play nomination....#16

Posted: 5/2/12 at 11:18am

I'm with you Patash. I don't think it has anything to do with the (possible) improvisational element.

If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.

[SonofRobbieJ]

I am really shocked that ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS did not get a Best Play nomination....#17

Posted: 5/2/12 at 11:28am

Best Play is BOTH the 'best play' and the 'best production of a play' which is why both the playwright(s) and the producers win the award. As opposed to Best Musical which is actually 'Best Production of a Musical,' since the score and the book are recognized separately.