Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
Transferring from a successful run on the West End and the first fully original Broadway musical of the 2025–2026 season, “Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York),” tells the story of an energizer-bunny Brit named Dougal, who has flown to New York for just two days to attend his estranged father’s wedding. Tasked with picking him up from the airport is Robin, the bride’s sister, a born-and-raised New Yorker (specifically Brooklyn) with a mile-long to-do list before her sister’s big day.
…And escorting a wide-eyed tourist around the city is definitely not at the top of that list.
Sam Tutty, well known on the West End for his Olivier Award–winning performance as Evan Hansen, is finally making his well-deserved Broadway debut. Having been with this production since its London run, he reprises his role as Dougal, and from the moment he steps onstage, the audience falls in love with him. If you looked up the definition of “golden retriever energy,” Tutty’s picture would be right there. Beyond that infectious charm, his vocals are stunning, and his acting oscillates beautifully between joyous and deeply moving as he navigates the emotional rollercoaster of seeing the bright lights of NYC and finally meeting the father he has never known. Tutty is an absolute force of nature—and a sure bet for a Tony nomination this season.
Joining Tutty since the show’s U.S. debut at the American Repertory Theater is Christiani Pitts, who brings Robin’s sharp, juxtaposing energy to life. Pitts’s Robin is the quintessential New Yorker, strong, opinionated, sarcastic, and more than a little impatient with the non–street-smart tourist in Dougal. But beneath that tough exterior is an inner saboteur she’s constantly fighting, the voice telling her she’s falling short even as she’s trying her best to hold everything together. Pitts threads this internal struggle with a beautiful ebb and flow, letting us see flashes of vulnerability beneath the armor. Together, her dynamic depth and Tutty’s radiant optimism create an infectious chemistry, making their unlikely connection an absolute joy to watch unfold.
A two-person musical, in my opinion, is far more challenging to direct than a big, flashy, ensemble-driven production, and what director/choreographer Tim Jackson accomplishes here is nothing short of exquisite. He leans into the show’s gentle intimacy while still incorporating the sense of grandness we associate with New York City as well as “Broadway,” keeping the audience engaged throughout and leaving us wanting more in the best possible way.
By far the most exciting element of this show is the music, and for their first attempt at a musical, Jim Barne and Kit Buchan have truly knocked it out of the park. They pull from classic Broadway stylings, jazzy undertones, and rapid-fire spoken-word rhythms, giving every audience member something to latch onto and love. So much of the show’s momentum relies on the pacing of these songs, and Barne and Buchan execute that pacing with remarkable precision.
Standout numbers include the exhilarating opening song, “New York,” as well as Tutty’s first solo, “Dad,” which beautifully captures the essence of the musical. These early pieces introduce the leads, set the emotional stakes, and give us immediate insight into the journey ahead. As the tension builds in Act Two, Barne and Buchan showcase their versatility with the brilliant spoken-word duet “What Did You Say?” a fast, crackling back-and-forth that had the entire audience holding its collective breath as the characters’ paths suddenly unravel. With orchestrations and music production by Lux Pyramid and sound design by Tony Gayle, the entire creative team unites to highlight just how impressive and promising this new score truly is.
With scenic design by Soutra Gilmour (who also designed the costumes), you enter the theater to find two piles of luggage onstage, an image that remains for the entire show. But as each suitcase opens, a new scene or location is revealed. It’s simple yet remarkably effective staging that avoids the obvious choices—no LED wall flashing the New York City skyline, no AI-generated Statue of Liberty. Instead, it invites the audience to engage their imagination and build the world alongside the characters. Her costumes, equally simple, work beautifully: the pops of color she chooses and the not-so-subtle costume change toward the end of Act One bring a fresh light to the characters and underscore the emotional shift of the story.
What I assumed would be just another classic rom-com musical and in many ways, it absolutely is, quickly revealed itself to be so much more. Two Strangers brings genuine excitement, sharp hilarity, and a few unexpected twists that set it apart from feeling like a Hallmark movie come to life. Instead, it stands proudly as a truly original piece.
If you’re craving a night of pure theatrical joy this season, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) is exactly the treat you’re looking for…and yes, it absolutely takes the cake.
Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
At the Longacre Theatre
220 West 48th St.
Running time: 2:15 with intermission
Open run
