Now making its Broadway debut at the Longacre Theatre following acclaimed runs in London and an American premiere at Harvard, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), an original musical rom-com by Jim Barne and Kit Buchan, follows the journey of Dougal, the exceedingly upbeat and excited British son of the very wealthy 57-year-old groom he’s never met, and Robin, the terse and busy Brooklyn born and raised sister of the 30-year-old bride, who’s been given many errands to run, navigating an unforgettable 48 hours. It all starts when she is sent to pick him up at the airport and to pick up the extremely expensive wedding cake for the reception, to which he was unexpectedly invited and she won’t be attending. Along the way, the polar opposites take some unplanned detours, make a growing connection, share significant revelations about their lives, and maybe even get a new chance at happiness and hope for “next year.”
Engagingly directed and actively choreographed by Tim Jackson, the quirky, fast-paced, feel-good two-hander stars the thoroughly irresistible Sam Tutty and Christiani Pitts, who perfectly embody the clashing personalities, masterfully deliver the laugh-out-loud humor and well-timed physical comedy, and bring their outstanding voices and dance moves to seventeen expressive songs in a variety of styles ranging from lively rap and lyrically contrasting duets to sensitive solo ballads, accompanied by a five-piece orchestra (conductor Ted Arthur on keyboard, Kevin Ramessar on guitar, Lee Nadel on bass, Rocky Bryant on drums, and Jessie Linden on percussion, with spot-on orchestrations by Lux Pyramid and Nick Finlow serving as music supervisor).
Tutty is a bundle of energy as Dougal, absolutely thrilled to be there, determined to see all the sights of “New York” (though confused about which ones are actually in what he mistakenly calls “Sin City,” like the Golden Gate Bridge), jokingly calling Robin his “Auntie” since her sister is marrying his father, awkwardly bumping into her at the airport and talking to everyone on the subway, helping her find the right Tinder match “On the App,” and generally determined to enjoy life, despite his lack of money and a father. His outgoing joy is contagious, his over-the-top behavior is hilarious, and his ultimate realization about his invitation to the wedding, as he’s “About to Go In,” is heartrending – but not for long, as he bounces back to his innate positive self, and imagines how things would go if they were in a movie (since he works selling popcorn at the cinema, and, of course, loves it). It’s an indelible Broadway debut of the Olivier Award-winning English actor, who, we can only hope, will make many more returns in the future to the New York stage.
He’s met his match in Pitts’ Robin, whose tough New York attitude, sidesplitting comedic skills, and extraordinary vocal prowess are equally stellar, and whose transformation over the course of their two days of meaningful interactions is as hopeful as it is incisive, as Dougal convinces her to “Be Happy” (and to drink way too much, which riotously results in “The Hangover Duet” and her repeatedly dashing off to vomit). At first annoyed by his clueless tourist mentality and determined to keep her distance from him and to maintain her schedule at work (as a waitress in a coffee shop), she becomes increasingly open to his sincere charm and his proclivity to have fun, to overcome the disappointments and mistakes of the past, and to follow his example to make the most of what you have, to make a change if you’re feeling unfulfilled, and to appreciate who loves and supports you (most notably, his mother and her grandmother, who are their loyal and true family).
A clever and efficient set (by Soutra Gilmour), with mounds of grey luggage on a turntable stage, easily transitions to the different locales Robin and Dougal visit, from the airport to the bar to the different neighborhoods of New York, with the opening of a suitcase, money falling down on them like confetti from above, or the lowering of a baggage claim sign, a traffic light, or a disco ball, with lighting (by Jack Knowles) and sound (by Tony Gayle) that reinforce the places and moods. And the costumes (also by Gilmour), with hair, wigs, and make-up (by Cheryl Thomas), capture the current casual looks of the characters – hers a little more fashionable than his – and their switch to contemporary formal attire after their “American Express” spending spree.
Everything about these Two Strangers is fully entertaining and satisfying, from their witty interactions, expressive songs, growing rapport, and the self-affirming impact they have on each other, learning the important life lessons we all should embrace. You’ll leave smiling, totally invested in caring about them, and hoping that this brief but invaluable time spent together, as he departs for his flight back to England, won’t be their last – and as more than just in-laws.
Running Time: Approximately two hours and 20 minutes, including an intermission.
Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) plays through Sunday, July 5, 2026, at the Longacre Theatre, 220 W 48th Street, NYC. For tickets (priced at $59-299, including fees), go online, or find discount tickets at TodayTix.
