I have mixed feelings about the impending (possible) win that "Two Strangers" will (might) celebrate for Best Musical. On one hand, I admire the quiet audacity of this show: It's not about romantic love, and in a way it's not even really about friendship. It's truly about two strangers. It is grounded in character; it follows two people through fairly pedestrian problems, and it arrives at a plausible conclusion. On the other hand, on a line-by-line basis, the writing is often not distinguished. I'd save the Tony Award for a later work by these young writers. My two cents.
I do think my personal performer of the year is Christiani Pitts. She will not win at the Tony Awards (and this has nothing to do with the quality of the performance). Her role isn't even the flashiest role in her two-character show. But I was touched and charmed by Pitts's work. That doesn't happen often in a theater.
Pitts's character has screwed up in an understandable way; because she is in her twenties, she doesn't apprehend that we all screw up and we are allowed to forgive ourselves. Her two days with a stranger cause her to reevaluate her life. The stranger--Dougal--essentially says, "I think you're a decent person, and I've really assessed the evidence. So think again."
At the end of the show, Pitts's character, Robin, expresses her gratitude to Dougal:
If I believed
The dreams I knew
Were left behind--
I've changed my mind.
If I believed
The story's end
Was pre-defined--
I've changed my mind.
This change--so modest--packs a real punch. It wouldn't have that punch if Pitts had not taken the time to build up a complicated, relatable character.
P.S. It looks like this actually will not win best musical recognition. I think that's for the best.
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