the mommy avenger

The best thing about seeing shows in New York City is that there is always something fresh to explore. Every trip, there’s a new story, a new score, and a new reason to walk into a theatre not quite knowing what you’re about to feel.

I’ve seen hundreds of Broadway shows, and I’ve learned that not all of them are created equal. The biggest names and the glitziest marquees don’t always give you the best night. Some of my absolute favorites have been the lesser-known, less flashy shows that simply have heart. Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) is exactly that kind of show.

Walking into the Longacre Theatre, I had a feeling of déjà vu. The first time I sat in that very theatre, I was watching First Date back in 2013. That show has stayed with me all these years. It was so funny and so heartwarming that I wished it could run forever so everyone could see it.

Two Strangers is a completely different story, but it gave me that same feeling. It’s the first show since First Date that captured that same blend of laugh-out-loud humor and genuine warmth. I left the theater grinning, a little teary, and already wishing it could go on tour so people everywhere could experience it. It is no small thing to tell you that Two Strangers has catapulted near the top of my all time favorite Broadway shows!

So what is the premise? Dougal and Robin are two strangers who, on paper, have nothing in common. Over three life-changing days in New York City, these two unlikely people find themselves thrown together, and an ordinary trip across the city turns into something neither of them expected. The show is billed as an uncommonly surprising musical about finding common ground, and that’s exactly what it delivers.

I won’t spoil the details, because half the joy is letting the story unfold. What I’ll say is that it’s hilarious, it’s sweet, and it never takes the predictable route. And yes, there’s a cake involved.

Sam Tutty (Dougal) and Christiani Pitts (Robin) are both Tony Award nominees, and it shows. Sam, who won an Olivier Award for Dear Evan Hansen in London, brings an endearing, perfectly awkward charm to Dougal. Christiani, whom Broadway audiences may remember from King Kong and A Bronx Tale (I’ve seen her in both shows), is a powerhouse, and the two have wonderful chemistry.

It’s a small cast carrying a big show, and they make it look effortless. You believe every awkward moment, every laugh, and every flicker of connection. It’s a reminder that you don’t need a giant ensemble or a flashy set to deliver something unforgettable. You need great performers and great material.

The score is the heart of this show. Jim Barne and Kit Buchan wrote the book, music, and lyrics, and it’s astonishing that this is their first musical. The songs are clever and catchy, and they land emotionally just when you need them to. I walked out humming, and I’ve been listening to the cast recording ever since. The official “If I Believed” music video is a great place to start if you want a taste.

At its core, Two Strangers is about connection. Sometimes the people who change us most are the ones we never planned to meet. It’s a gentle reminder to be open, to look up from our own agendas, and to be willing to see the person right in front of us. In a world that can feel so divided, a show that celebrates finding common ground is exactly what I needed.

Here’s the hard part: Two Strangers closes on November 29, 2026, so time is limited. But the good news is that you still have time. Don’t waste your opportunity to see it!

Where: Longacre Theatre, 220 W 48th St, New York, NY
Closing: Sunday, November 29, 2026
Tickets: Telecharge or twostrangersmusical.com

Grab a friend, a date, anyone! and go see it. Shows like this don’t come around often, and when they do, they deserve a full house. I’m crossing my fingers that a national tour is in its future. Until then, New York is the place to be.

^{*we were invited to facilitate a feature, all opinions are our own*}