Douglas Rintoul Says Eight Tony Award Nods Reward Regional Risk-Taking
Two regional theatres tied to Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) are celebrating eight Tony award nominations, and Douglas Rintoul says the result is “a powerful reminder that risk-taking new work is being created in regional theatres.” The musical began life in the UK before moving to New York, turning a regional production pipeline into Broadway recognition.
Regional roots in Ipswich and Northampton
In November 2019, The Season was performed at the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich and The Royal & Derngate in Northampton, where it was a Made In Northampton production co-produced with New Wolsey Theatre. The show was later renamed Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), and that path now reaches the Tony Awards with a Broadway show that started outside London and New York.
Douglas Rintoul, chief executive and artistic director at the New Wolsey Theatre, said, “Seeing Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) recognised with multiple Tony Award nominations is hugely exciting for regional theatre across the UK.” His theatre, alongside The Royal & Derngate, now has a producing credit that has translated into mainstream US awards attention.
Buchan, Jackson and the cast
Kit Buchan and Jim Barne wrote the show, while Tim Jackson directed it, and the same team worked on the New York production at the Longacre Theatre. Buchan received three nominations: Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score. Jackson was nominated for Best Direction of a Musical.
Sam Tutty was nominated for Best Lead Actor in a Musical, and Christiani Pitts was nominated for Best Lead Actress in a Musical. The production currently stars Pitts and Tutty, keeping the Broadway version closely aligned with the team that carried it from its regional start to its current New York run.
Ten years, eight years, one Broadway path
Buchan said, “This is the proudest moment in mine and Jim's professional lives.” He added, “Our show has been ten years in the making, and has grown from very humble beginnings.” Jackson said, “These nominations reflect the collective brilliance of so many kind, funny, big-hearted collaborators who have poured their magic and immense talent into this special show over the last eight years.”
He also said, “Making this musical with Kit Buchan and Jim Barne has been a highlight of my career, and of my life.” The nominations give regional producers a clear argument for backing new work early, because a show that begins in Ipswich and Northampton can still reach the center of the US theatre industry. For audiences and theatre workers in regional Britain, the practical takeaway is simple: the route from local production to Broadway is open, and this one has already crossed it.
