Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
Played at American Repertory Theatre
Musical or play? Musical
Lottery or Rush Tickets? Digital Lottery was available on TodayTix
What I Paid: $93.00
My Rating: ★★★★
Official Website: https://twostrangersmusical.com/
An original, new musical comedy about timing, connections, and unexpected detours.
Meet Dougal, an impossibly upbeat Brit who has just landed in New York City for the first time to attend the wedding of the father he’s never met. Meet Robin, the sister of the bride and a no-nonsense New Yorker with a lot of errands to do for the bride—including picking up the groom’s estranged son from the airport.
These two strangers begin their journey together navigating New York City, secrets, and second chances. The Boston Globe raves Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) is “IRRESISTIBLE! Clever, funny, and delightfully surprising!”
REVIEW
After concluding its North American Premiere at the American Repertory Theatre (“A.R.T.”) in Cambridge, MA earlier this summer, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) has announced that it is opening on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre with previews beginning on November 1, 2025. Seeing this show during its first run on this side of the Atlantic was a priority for me, as I heard rave reviews not only from online theatre creators, but from people I know in real life as well. I was able to catch this romantic comedy during its closing weekend at A.R.T., and am excited to share my thoughts on this show with all of you.
Two Strangers follows Dougal, a young British man who visits New York City for the first time to attend his estranged father’s wedding, and Robin, the sister of Dougal’s soon-to-be stepmother who picks him up from the airport. While Dougal is energetic and excited, Robin is beat up by life and doesn’t have the time (or desire!) to play tour guide. What follows is a whirlwind adventure where this unlikely duo discovers they may be more compatible than they initially realized.
Our two-person cast consists of Sam Tutty as Dougal and Christiani Pitts as Robin. Tutty is an endearing and lovable cinnamon role as soon as he enters the stage. You can’t help but be enamored with his romanticized view of New York City. Pitts, on the other hand, is the perfect counterbalance. She feels authentically New York with her matter-of-fact demeanor. What is truly magnificent, however, is this duo’s chemistry. Tutty and Pitts play off one another seamlessly, both in the comedic scenes and the serious ones.
Moreover, the show itself is, overall, a joy to watch. The first act is filled with fun and excitement, with the closer “American Express” leaving me with a giant smile on my face. Things do take a bit of a turn in the second act, and my only real critique of the show is that some dark topics are introduced, but quickly glazed over. While those scenes do give the show a touch of reality, they also left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. I almost wish Two Strangers leaned full on into its “rom-com” status, even if that means the story is a little too good to be true. Nonetheless, the musical wraps up beautifully, and I left with tears in my eyes but a smile on my face.
Finally, the set design at A.R.T. consisted of a turntable with larger-than-life luggage that easily transformed throughout the show to reveal different pieces of furniture and props. This was a clever set-up that functioned flawlessly as scenes transitioned from one to another. It will be interesting to see if this same design will be used on the Broadway stage. What is sure to be quite magical as Two Strangers heads to its namesake city is the setting. The show, set during the Christmas season, will open at the same time, and will play perfectly to both local New York City audiences and tourists alike. If you are looking for a cozy and celebratory musical to see this season, I highly recommend Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York).
Watch my vlog of seeing Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) on Instagram HERE.