Two Strangers (Carry a cake across New York)
Official Blurb: HE’S JUST ARRIVED. SHE’S JUST THRILLED. Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) is London’s ‘delightful new musical rom-com’ (Time Out), now playing to ecstatic audiences and earning a barrage of 5-star reviews from the critics! This ‘fresh, funny, flawless’ (Observer) original musical has been called ‘the cherry on top of the West End’ (Theatre Weekly), featuring Dujonna Gift and Sam Tutty in‘two of the most captivating performances you will see this year’ (All That Dazzles). Dougal is a naïve, impossibly upbeat Brit who’s just landed in New York for his dad’s second wedding. The dad he’s never known. Waiting for him at the airport is Robin, the sister of the bride. She’s a native New Yorker, she’s late for work, and she doesn’t have time to stop and see the sights. Instant attraction? Nope. But with an extravagant wedding approaching and the Big Apple at their feet, anything could happen… ‘An instant classic – part musical, part fairytale, part dream, and wholly unmissable’ (Spy in the Stalls), Two Strangers is ‘as good a night out in the West End as you can get’ (WhatsOnStage.com). Book now, and remember the full title later!
My Take: This is probably the Best new musical I have seen all year, with potentially the worst name I have seen in a while. I am not messing around, this musical was everything. It is as if all that I love of classic romcoms a la Nora Ephron was consolidated in musical form. It is everything I want in a musical. It has heart but it doesn’t take itself too seriously. I cried, I laughed, I sighed and my heart was full. A skillful mastery of emotions. Sam Tutty is spectacular, his voice, his acting, his charisma, you can not take your eyes off him. Also an ode to New York as city? sign me up. In the vein of a Last 5 years, it is a small musical, but just the two of them onstage does not feel small. They fill up the theater beautifully and are so infectious you don’t care no one else is onstage. Also the staging, its innovative and wonderful and I was a big fan. In general that can sum it all up I was a ridiculous fan of this musical and I need everyone to see it. I needs to end August 31? that is that craziness, can someone bring this to NY so that I can see it again? In the meantime I will be here listening to the cast album.
My friends take: Charming, heartfelt and a rollercoaster of emotions 😉
Official Blurb: Nominated for 4 Olivier Awards including BEST NEW MUSICAL, the critically acclaimed, sold-out Donmar Warehouse production of Next to Normal comes to London’s West End for a strictly limited season at Wyndham’s Theatre from 18 June 2024. When this landmark musical debuted on Broadway in 2010, it won 3 Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama – one of only ten musicals in history to receive this prestigious honour. A ground-breaking and intimate portrait of a modern family, Next to Normal “tears at the heart in a way few musicals manage” (Attitude) Next to Normal is an intimate exploration of family and illness, loss and grief. At its heart is Diana Goodman (Caissie Levy in an Olivier Award-nominated performance), a suburban wife and mother living with bipolar disorder and haunted by her past. “As staged afresh in London under the astute eye of director Michael Longhurst, Next to Normal has a renewed sting. The result is transformative…there’s no more vital theatrical place to be.” Matt Wolf, The New York Times Critic’s Pick.
Next To Normal features a thrilling and original rock score by Pulitzer, Tony, Emmy and Grammy Award winner Tom Kitt and book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Brian Yorkey. Starring alongside Levy (who originated the role of Elsa in Frozen on Broadway) are Olivier Award-winner Jamie Parker (The Crown, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), Jack Wolfe (Netflix’s Shadow & Bone and winner of the UK Critic’s Circle and WhatsOnStage Awards for Next to Normal), Olivier Award winner Eleanor Worthington-Cox (BAFTA nominated for The Enfield Haunting, Matilda), Trevor Dion Nicholas (Aladdin) and Jack Ofrecio.
Award-winning Michael Longhurst directs this brilliant new production that the Sunday Express calls “electrifying, heart wrenching and profoundly human.”
My Take: Next to Normal meets Cassie Levy – there was no way this was not going to be epic and it was everything I wanted it to be and more. I had actually never seen Next to Normal on stage, just listened to the music and I was so excited to get a first staged glimpse with this wonderful cast. They truly where amazing. But of course the highlight is Cassie Levy, her Diana is complex and engaging, vulnerable and strong all at the same time. And of course her voice bring down the house. The staging is absolutely gorgeous and its an infectious night at the theater.
Tati's Tidbits 