‘Two Strangers’: Imported ‘rom com’ is delightful

By Rich Fahey

CAMBRIDGE – At first, it sounds like the opening line of a joke: Two strangers carry a cake across New York.

But the romantic musical comedy “Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)” is far from a joke. It is a humorous, heartfelt two-day journey around The City That Never Sleeps that features two lovable losers, each trying to find their footing: one a lifelong resident of the city, the other seeing it for the first time.

“Two Strangers” was a hit in the West End of London and has crossed the pond to make its North American debut at the American Repertory Theater’s Loeb Drama Center through July 13.

The musical is a two-hander – only two performers – and both are wonderful.   Christiani Pitts is Robin, the native New Yorker, and Sam Tutty is Dougal, straight out of London, who is naive but has an endlessly upbeat outlook on life.

 They both ooze charm and warmth, and they make “Two Strangers” more than two hours’ worth of small pleasures, a series of gifts being continuously unwrapped on the stage of the Loeb Drama Center.

There’s a “meet cute” opening at LaGuardia Airport, where Robin has been sent to greet Dougal, who has just landed in New York for his dad’s second wedding—the dad he’s never known. Robin, the sister of the bride, is at the airport to pick him up, and she’s late for work. Dougal, however, is hungry for an adventure in the city he’s only seen in movies and hopes native New Yorker Robin will be his guide. Back home, Dougal’s idea of a big night would be a few drinks at the Pig ‘n Whistle Pub, possibly with his mom.

Robin is 27, a server at the Bump ‘n Grind (pun most definitely intended) Coffeehouse and wants nothing to do with being Dougal’s guide, but he shows up unexpectedly at her work and is allowed to tag along as Robin journeys to Brooklyn to pick up her sister’s wedding cake. An adventure – and much hilarity – ensues. A romp with a “borrowed’ credit card from Dougal’s father includes an alcohol-fueled hookup at the Plaza Hotel, which sets up the musical number “The Hangover Duet.”

The chemistry between the two is just right without being cloying or too sweet. To prevent that, unpleasant nicknames such as “dickface” are bandied about and there is a hilarious scene where Dougal helps Robin land a much-coveted date with a cute guy on Tinder.

Jim Barne and Kit Buchan, the writers and composers of the piece, have perfectly paired their writing and composing styles, making “Two Strangers” seamless in the way it is presented. The score is always moving the story forward.

“Two Strangers” often finds itself paying homage to New York City and the wonders that native New Yorkers take for granted, all while also showing how it can be easy to feel lost and alone in a city with eight million people.

Director and choreographer Tim Jackson knows well that in a two-hander, keeping his cast always on the move is paramount, and “Two Strangers” flows sweetly and smoothly, buoyed by vibrant, snappy dialogue that rings true. There is a running joke that, with Robin’s sister marrying Dougal’s father, Robin would become Dougal’s “auntie.”

Of course, the two completely disparate strangers will soon find common ground, especially in the turmoil surrounding their upbringings, and their shared struggle to find where they fit in the world.

It doesn’t take long before you’re openly rooting for both Robin and Dougal to find what they are looking for in the other person.

There is a charming scene in a Chinese restaurant late in the play that may remind you of one of the best romantic comedies of recent decades. Barne and Buchan remind us we are all strangers until the magic moment when we aren’t. And, just like Robin and Dougal, we never know when a gift to another person will make a major difference in that life.

Soutra Gilmour’s striking, functional scenic design resembles an airport baggage claim center on a turntable stage, which morphs – through the use of cleverly hidden compartments that can be pulled out –into several different places, including the Plaza Hotel.

The score is performed by an energetic five-piece ensemble led by Music Director Kevin Campos.

“Two Strangers” is the perfect entertainment for these troubled times when being distracted can be a blessing.  It’s a bright, breezy romp with an easy-to-digest message and sublime work by both actors.

The American Repertory Theater production of “Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York).” Written and composed by Jim Barne and Kit Buchan. Direction and choreography by Tim Jackson. Scenic and costume design by Soutra Gilmour. Lighting design by Jack Knowles. Sound design by Tony Gayle and Cody Spencer (sound design). At the Loeb Drama Center through July 13. AmericanRepertoryTheater.org.