Original London Cast, 2024 (If I Believed Ltd) (2.5 / 5) This recording of Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) showcases the score of a charming, two-character show, but it struggles to maintain momentum across its full runtime. The story follows Dougal, a relentlessly upbeat young Brit played with wide-eyed energy by Sam Tutty, and Robin, a cynical New Yorker portrayed with grounded soulfulness by Dujonna Gift. The titular cake,  which is only briefly mentioned on the recording, is for the wedding of Robin’s sister to Dougal’s father, and R&D are in charge of getting it to  the wedding in one piece. The cast album gets off to a snappy start with the opening number, “New York,” but here and in other songs, the lyrics are often sloppy and contain a number of false rhymes. While Tutty and Gift have undeniable chemistry, some listeners may find the album disappointing as it indicates the show’s descent into a formulaic romantic comedy. On the plus side, there are chuckles to be had from “On The App,” a song that pokes fun at the frustrating dating app culture, as well as “Under the Mistletoe,” all about the forced, performative joy of the holiday season. And the score does supply Robin with two well-written ballads: the forlorn “What’ll It Be” introduces us to her character, while in the touching “This Year,” she reflects on the passage of time and the quiet ache of her own unfulfilled expectations. Unfortunately, these highlights are counterbalanced by a repetitive folk-pop formula that’s wanting in terms of melodic distinction. This score works better when one is experiencing the show live as compared to hearing it out of context;  the wit is present, but the songs lack the “earworm” quality required to make them truly memorable, and for every moment of genuine vocal poignancy from Gift or infectious charisma from Tutty, there’s a stretch of musical dialogue that feels inert without the physical comedy to support it. In sum, this is a pleasant, well-produced album of an amiable entertainment, but the dearth of musical variety and the frequent surrender to lazy rhymes make it more valuable as a souvenir for those who are already fans of the show than as an example of an entirely successful musical theater recording. [Ed. Note: Though Two Strangers transferred to Broadway in 2025, that production has yielded no cast recording, presumably because this is a two actor/two character musical and one of the two Broadway performers — Sam Tutty — is heard on this London cast album.]  — Forrest Hutchinson