That is the question looming over this year’s Otago Southland Theatre Awards.
Both musicals, performed in Oamaru this year, have been nominated for the title of best overall show.
Musical Theatre Oamaru president Melissa Yockney said she was "really pleased and delighted" about the plethora of nominations for the awards known as the Ostas.
"It’s recognition for everyone involved."
That Bloody Woman has been nominated for 11 awards and School of Rock for seven.
Both have been nominated for best sound, best musical direction, best lighting and visual augmentation, best direction and best overall production.
"It’s pretty exciting to have so many nominations for both shows."
Krissy McGeown, who played Kate Sheppard in That Bloody Woman, and Uatesoni Filikitonga, who played Dewey Finn in School of Rock, have been nominated for best leading female in a musical and best leading male in a musical, respectively.
Miss Yockney said the pair were "absolutely stoked and a little bit shell-shocked".
Alice Sollis (School of Rock) and Andrew Potvin (That Bloody Woman) were both in the running for best direction.
Miss Yockney said there may be a bit of rivalry between the two directors but they were delighted about their nominations.
Miss Yockney said she had no expectation for the Osta nominations, only hopes.
She was stoked the nominations covered all departments, from hair and make-up to wardrobe, set and sound.
A combined total of about 100 people were involved in the two shows, both on stage and behind the scenes.
The Ostas are held annually to recognise the best productions in the southernmost branch of Musical Theatre New Zealand.
Companies pay to enter their production, judges attend multiple performances, make assessments using strict criteria and decide on the nominations.
The awards will be held in Oamaru, in February.
Oamaru last hosted the 2018 Ostas, when Musical Theatre Oamaru’s production of Mamma Mia! received six awards, including best overall production.
Next year, Miss Yockney hopes to take a step back and focus on Musical Theatre Oamaru’s building renovations.
She still hoped to have a concert in March, a junior production mid-year and a theatre restaurant at the end of the year.
"There’s a little bit less but still enough going on."
Miss Yockney was grateful for the community support both musicals received.
"We are all aware that the cost of living has made life a little tricker financially for many of us lately, so thank you for still choosing to come and support us."
