Imagine a city so iconic, so mythic, that it feels like stepping into a dream—but what if that dream is New York City, and you’re bringing a show about it to New York itself? That’s the bold move Jim Barne and Kit Buchan are making with their musical Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York). These longtime collaborators, who’ve been friends since they were nine, are no strangers to creative risks, but this one feels different. As Buchan puts it, ‘Bringing any show into New York is daunting, but when it’s set in New York, the stakes skyrocket.’ Yet, they’re not just aiming to survive—they’re hoping to delight. ‘New Yorkers will get a kick out of our version of the city,’ Buchan adds, describing their New York as ‘a mythical place, like the Emerald City in Oz, but real.’ And this is the part most people miss: it’s not just about the city; it’s about the people in it.
The story unfolds through the eyes of Dougal, played by Sam Tutty, a character who’s only ever seen New York through movies, songs, and books. His rose-tinted view of the city is both charming and relatable, but it’s also a setup for the show’s deeper exploration of human connection. Barne and Buchan draw inspiration from Richard Linklater’s Before trilogy, noting how those films capture intimate moments between two people over a short time—a structure their musical mirrors. But here’s where it gets controversial: in an era of blockbuster musicals, they’ve chosen to focus on the unimportant people, the ones not doing anything particularly magnificent. ‘We wanted to write about small emotional fluctuations,’ Buchan explains, ‘and bet that those moments could be moving enough to merit song.’
Their love for The Band’s Visit also shines through, influencing their desire to create something ‘gently radical.’ Yet, they don’t shy away from classic romantic comedy tropes—they challenge them. Dougal’s belief in the magic of New York, weddings, and holidays clashes with Robin’s (played by Christiani Pitts) grounded, no-nonsense perspective as a New York native. It’s a subtle dance, but as their paths cross, there’s a quiet gravitational pull between them, hinting at growth and change. And this is the part most people miss: the show isn’t just about two strangers; it’s about how even the smallest interactions can ripple into something meaningful.
But here’s the real question: Can a musical about ordinary people and fleeting moments truly resonate in a city as larger-than-life as New York? Barne and Buchan think so, and they’re inviting audiences to decide for themselves. Watch the full interview below to hear them perform ‘New York’ from the show, and grab your tickets to experience this unique take on the city that never sleeps. Will you leave the theater seeing New York—and its strangers—in a whole new light? Let us know in the comments!
