“Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York),” a delightful slice of musical comedy theater, tells a story of two people brought together during unusual circumstances. They are complete opposites in personality and energy but, as they say, opposites have an odd way of attracting. The production is engagingly written and composed by Jim Barne and Kit Buchan, with amusing direction and choreography by Tim Jackson.
It starts with the two characters, Dougal and Robin, getting ready to start their day. Robin is going to the airport to pick up the son of her sister’s fiancé. Dougal is the son, coming to meet his father for the first time and attend his wedding to Robin’s older sister, who is young enough to be his daughter. Dougal is thrilled to be in New York and wants to do all the things tourists love. Robin is a jaded New Yorker and has a very fragile relationship with her older sister. She is asked to pick up the wedding cake and this becomes quite an adventure for both Dougal and Robin. As these two characters go about the city, they slowly open up to each other. They both have insecurities and manage to connect in an odd way. Theirs is an entertaining journey that manages to help them connect on a deeper level.
Playing at the Longacre Theatre on W. 48th Street, the musical stars Sam Tutty as Dougal, who has a natural, adorable stage presence. Christiani Pitts plays Robin with a lot of heart and emotion, but you can also feel the pain that her character is going through, due to a very big secret shame she is dealing with. The two actors play beautifully off each other.
The musical is absolutely charming. The creative team showcases scenic and costume design by Soutra Gilmour, lighting design by Jack Knowles, sound design by Tony Gayle, orchestrations by Lux Pyramid, and music supervision by Nick Finlow.
For tickets, visit twostrangersmusical.com.