‘2 Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York’ wins hearts, not Tonys
By ALAN SMASON, WYES-TV Theatre Critic (“Steppin’ Out“)
When the 79th Tony Awards became a part of Broadway history, the show with the biggest heart and smallest carried themselves across the Radio City Music Hall stage with no statuettes to show for it. But where it counted most – for being a show with a poignant and profound connection and one filled with more humanity than all the other nominees combined – Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York was clearly the night’s emotional winner.
Stars Sam Tutty (Dougal) and Christiani Pitts (Robin) appeared on stage at the awards show to reprise the opening number “New York” in which the two are introduced to the audience and each other as well as a portion of the first act closing number “American Express.” The mashup of the two numbers helped show the growth the couple experiences in Act One from their initial tentative connections and an obvious clash of cultures to a couple enjoying life and the New York party scene on one night of abandon.
We first see Dougal as a manchild, who still lives with his mother back in England while searching for an emotional connection with his American millionaire father. In “Dad” we learn how – despite his father’s abandonment of both Dougal and his mother – he still yearns for a relationship with him. He assures his still-absent father in the song that his mother has never said a bitter word about him and attempts to bring him up to date about his life thus far. “Dad, have I held a candle high for you? Have I waited all my life for you?” he asks earnestly, hoping to find at the very least acceptance, if not reciprocal love.
It is Robin, a jaded New York barrista, who has been assigned the task of picking Dougal up from the airport prior to his father’s marriage to her slightly older and somewhat distant sister. In “What’ll It Be” we are informed of her feeling of being trapped in a job with little satisfaction and a life that gives her little pleasure. The question she might ask of her customers is the same question she asks about her life in a song not unlike the feeling Antonio feels in “Something’s Comin'” from West Side Story.
Thrown together by happenstance, Dougal attempts to find out more about his soon-to-be aunt. As fixed as her sister is, Robin’s love live is a bust. In “On the App,” Dougal attempts to playfully find her Mr. Right or at least Mr. Right Now. Grabbing her phone he attempts to swipe left for her, questioning her as to whom might be a good match.
Jim Barne and Kit Buchan’s book, music and lyrics are beyond charming. They are captivating and engrossing and move the characters forward like players on a chessboard.
Robin finds herself back in front of her grandmother’s Brooklyn home where she was raised. In “This Is the Place” a flood of memories pour out as she reflects on a simpler, happier time. “And you actually lived here? This still counts as real New York” he asks of his host.
“This is Brooklyn, man” Robin boasts back. “This is the only part that’s real.”
By the title, it should come as little surprise that there is a portion of the book dedicated to the task of picking up Robin’s sister and Dougal’s father’s wedding cake for the reception the following day. Were it just the simple act of carrying the cake and delivering it, this would have been a very short musical. But as the title does not imply, this is not about two strangers carrying a cake. It’s about them making a connection with each other.
There is a joy in seeing the two grow closer in fits and starts. Robin is the more emotionally stunted of the pair, while Sam is wild and uninhibited. How Robin learns to let go and enjoy herself and Sam becomes more grounded and mature is really what the story is about. But that would make an even more terrible title, would it not?
There are several aspects to the plot that take the audience by surprise and there will be no spoilers revealed here. Suffice it to say there is a lot more to this tale than what is initially stated. The unseen trio of Dougal’s father, Robin’s sister and Dougal’s mum back in England are never seen but they are referenced quite frequently and affect the two we do see and who occupy the stage throughout the performance.
Following their big night out after taking in the sights of New York, Robin and Dougal have some sober thoughts to consider, especially more aware that the wedding is only a few hours away. The poetic reflections on her soon-to-be brother-in-law – Dougal’s father – are an attempt by her to soften the blow of the truth about him in “He Doesn’t Exist.”
“How long has he shone in the distance
How long has he hidden from view
How long have you looked to belong to his world
How often does he think of you?”
The resolution of their attending the wedding is determined in Act Two, which stands in stark contrast with Act One. Their earlier adventures bind them in ways no one could have expected. It is in the cold light of day they must deal with reality. Robin tries as best she can to protect Dougal but he is resistant.
As Dougal, Tutty makes an emotional call to his sleeping mother back in England, letting loose a torrent of his feelings about their lives and how much he appreciates the sacrifice she made for him. As Robin, Pitts has a similar epiphany, questioning where she will be going. Both solo songs “About To Go In” by Dougal and “This Year” by Robin reveal growth for both characters.
Like the cake the two carry earlier, the book, music and lyrics contain many layers of character development and a simple, yet rich musical texture. We cannot help but be drawn into their world and, as the two are overcome by their feelings, they contemplate what they must do and move forward.
Directed and choreographed by Tim Jackson, this small cast delivers a big message of human connection and vulnerability. While the use
of the turntable does get a bit repetitive, the scenic design comprised of travel luggage by Soutra Gilmour is quite innovative and her costumes are also quite unique and complement the actors.
This is a tender and heartfelt work full of originality and expression that brings two diverse cultures and characters together, each having a profound influence on the other. It is bound to capture the hearts of those who attend and a highlight of the current season on Broadway.
Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York continues its Broadway run at the Longacre Theatre, 220 W. 48 St. For tickets click here.
