Original London Cast, 2024 (If I Believed Ltd) (2.5 / 5) This cast 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 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, by Jim Barne and Kit Buchan, does supply Robin with two well-written ballads: the forlorn “What’ll It Be” introduces us to her character, and 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 here, 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. — Forrest Hutchinson

Original  Broadway Cast, 2026 (Lux Pyramid) (3 / 5) The Broadway cast album of Two Strangers represents an improvement on the original, if a marginal one. Listeners who had hoped this release would significantly expand upon the London recording with added material may find themselves disappointed; the track lists are largely the same, and in fact, the Broadway recording is slightly shorter in length. For every addition, such as the full version of “Under the Mistletoe” and a short finale reprise, there are frustrating cuts. The couple’s argument song, “What Did You Say?,” has been removed, and the dialogue is gone from the number “Be Happy.” There are also some minor but odd changes in the lyrics and dialogue, for instance, Dougal now wants to watch Lethal Weapon with his father instead of The Terminator. Reprising the role of Dougal, Sam Tutty really seems to have grown into the part, delivering a vocal performance with noticeably more character and depth. His quiet rendition of “About to Go In” near the end of the recording is touching, and his comic timing feels just right for the show and the character. Taking over the role of Robin, Christiani Pitts matches Tutty in the lighter moments and the emotional ones. She makes the most out of Robin’s standout ballads, and some listeners may prefer her more powerful belt to Dujonna Gift’s voice on the London recording. Both actors are aided by the refined orchestrations, which have a more grounded and polished tone. These small improvements that make the Broadway album the one to reach for to best appreciate this score. — F.H.