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[0:24] Jeryl Brunner: This is Jeryl Brunner and you're listening to When Lightning Strikes.

[0:32] Jeryl Brunner: Sam Tutty stars in the hit Broadway musical, Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York. This romantic comedy was nominated for eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Leading Actor for Sam, who makes his Broadway debut in the show. His other credits include Dear Evan Hansen on the West End, which earned him an Olivier Award for playing Evan Hansen. Well, welcome.

[1:07] Sam Tutty: Thank you so much for having me. Thank you. Hello.

[1:09] Jeryl Brunner: Hello. Thank you for coming. Well, take me to a week ago when you heard you were nominated for a Tony Award for your Broadway debut.

[1:16] Sam Tutty: It's very crazy. It's very surreal. It's a really bizarre feeling and I don't really, you know, I don't feel any different in some ways, but then, you know, there's a lot of things that are happening outside of myself that are proving that things have changed, which is, so it's a very interesting concoction of feelings. Like the atmosphere in the theatre is amazing. The audiences are giving us so much love and they just love celebrating a show like this. I think it's something that they haven't seen before, especially Broadway, you know, the sort of structure of the show, the scale of the show, you know, and the scope of the show is very different to what I think American New York audiences have been exposed to in the past, however many, you know, decades in recent memory, ever since, you know, I suppose other two-handers are out like last month, things like that. But yeah, it's been amazing. It's been incredible. Yeah, it's been really amazing.

[2:15] Jeryl Brunner: Where were you when you heard?

[2:17] Sam Tutty: I was asleep. I was in bed. And my girlfriend called me. She said, Sam, you've got one. Because I thought they started at nine, but they started at half eight. So I was just fast asleep. It was quite a nice experience that way. You know, I really enjoyed it. Much preferred it, you know, than like sitting outside, you know, in front of the telly. I was a bit, I think that would have made me stressed out a bit. So no, it was really, it was a really lovely way to find out actually, yeah.

[2:47] Jeryl Brunner: So you were asleep and you got woken up by your girlfriend. And then what happened? I mean, did you like...

[2:52] Sam Tutty: Yeah, the phone went crazy. Like I didn't, I think I had to charge my phone twice because I burnt through the battery of how many people, you know, I was calling and speaking to. And the main thing we were just so happy about was that everyone, you know, got nominated. Do you know what I mean? Like the show, our director.

[3:12] Jeryl Brunner: Your amazing co-star.

[3:13] Sam Tutty: I mean, well, Christiane, you know, absolutely. And then we've got Sutra, our amazing set designer. We were so, we are so proud of that set because it is literally only other objects, other than our wonderful band backstage, behind us. You know, that is the thing that we rely on that set so much. And the fact that that beautiful set, I've been involved with that set for three years. It's been made out of suitcases from London supermarkets that, you know, that were only meant to be held together for about six weeks. And this beautiful beast of a set, so many crevices and nooks and crannies and magical moments is getting love as well. And I'm so happy for Sutra because I just think it's a real, that was what I was most emotional about, that everyone beyond myself was getting recognition.

[4:02] Jeryl Brunner: Yeah, I mean, it's one of the most creative sets I've ever seen. I don't even want to give it away, the way you make use of suitcases just is mind-blowing. Take me to when you first discovered Two Strangers.

[4:18] Sam Tutty: Well, it was just like a very boring story. It was just a, you know, an audition that came through, through like, through my agent. I was really interested in it purely for the challenge of a two-hander, but also I was really excited about the notion of doing a quick off West End, out of the way, niche, new piece of artistry. Cause I'd just come off of Dear Evan Hansen, which was this huge, massive American IP. And I wanted to swing in the other direction. I still wanted to be involved in musicals and I just didn't know in what capacity. So, yeah, this came along and then, you know, I mean, to cut a very long story short, we've finished the run at Verkiln and we jumped onto the West End. We got asked to do the West End out of nowhere.

And then I finished the West End, that was meant to be it. And then I got a call a few months later saying, how about Boston and then potentially Broadway or off Broadway. And it's just this amazing show that could, you know, it just doesn't give up. It doesn't end. It's incredible, it's a great experience. It's a beautiful premise. I know people say it's two ordinary people. In my heart, they're extraordinary, but there's Dougal, who's you, who's invited to his estranged father's wedding in New York. Fish out of water, never been to New York before. And he's picked up at the airport by Robin, the bride-to-be's sister, but I'll let you tell it.

[5:49] Jeryl Brunner: Well, that's perfect. That's exactly it. That's genuinely it. I think what I love about this show so much is that it's just so, it's so realistic. It's so plausible and it's so new and completely original. The idea that it is completely, you know, this show came from nothing. No previous IP, no previous inspiration. It was just two amazing people, then became three amazing people working on this really incredible piece of original artistry. And I'm just so proud of it. So that's exactly how the story goes. What made you fall in love with it? What was it? I know you said it was a two-hander. There was the intimacy.

[6:30] Sam Tutty: Yeah, I think the book combined with the songs, I'm all for musical theatre, but I have such a specific attitude and taste when it comes to text into songs and the justification of singing. You know, I always ask myself, why do we sing? It's, you know, it transcends normal speech. And songs often, in specifically modern musical theatre, less so in our classic American songbooks and our real household names. But in newer stuff, I think there's this drifting in this laziness of like, let's just do this really cool, catchy pop song in a musical theatre number that has no rhyme or reason to be there other than to just stay inside your pants. Which I think, and I think people outside, outdoors are really clever and they really pick up on that and they don't like to be fooled.

They don't like to, you know, have like a lazy song. Because, so when I listened to this music, and I read the script, I was really, I was really, I think, what's the word? I was very much comforted by, I could see the justification of each song and how important the music was. And Kit and Jim, our amazing writers, were telling us about where these specific chords come from and the inspiration of them and their upbringing. And it all felt so necessary, which is what I love, because I think there is such an easy conversation to be like, well, why am I singing now? What am I singing about now, for goodness sake? I'm just singing because we're in a musical. But I don't ever get that with this show. And I never got it with Evan Hansen. So I'm sort of like keeping it, that's my sort of prerequisite for doing a job, to just buy music and sing songs, yeah.

[8:34] Jeryl Brunner: That's a long-winded answer.

[8:35] Sam Tutty: Yeah, that's beautiful, because I remember first hearing you sing this beautiful song, New York, at the Refinery Rooftop in New York City before you opened in the fall. And it was that perfect fall day. You and Christiane were.

[8:52] Jeryl Brunner: That was my introduction to the songs. Can you talk about how you feel when you sing? Because it is absolutely transporting.

[9:01] Sam Tutty: Thank you. I'm a little nervous. You know, it's beautiful. Thank you. And it gives you, it just filled me with joy. I can picture myself on that rooftop hearing you both sing. But how does it make you feel?

[9:18] Sam Tutty: Yeah, I feel nervous every night. I feel scared. I think there is a, it's not like a play where, you know, you can technically, you can't speak flat or speak sharp. You know what I mean? There's no, you can't crack. And if you do, there's not a problem because humans crack. But in a song, it's obvious, you know, you can be wrong and still say the right lines, which is the added obstacle when it comes to musical theatre. So I'm always scared. I'm never, I'm always, you know, and I think when I relax, that's when I make mistakes or when I sound, you know, unhealthy or if I'm flat or sharp or whatever. So I always, I think being scared and being nervous is good as long as it doesn't translate into, you know, something less manageable. But no, I love singing these songs. I think because they're written for singers in mind. And I think there's a lot of musicals out there that do do that and some that don't.

[10:34] Jeryl Brunner: Yeah.

[10:34] Sam Tutty: And you can see that. You can see the ones that do and you can see the ones that don't. And as an actor, you know, predominantly experiencing musical theatre, I specifically see, when I see shows, I'm like, oh, it's just not sustainable. Or it's like, oh my God, that just sounds incredible. And, you know, so I'm really pleased that I'm involved in a show that has taken care of its artists. The writers were just always asking for how we were feeling. And if they needed a higher note, they would be like, this is why we need it. Their communication was just so fluent and just so accessible. So, yeah, it makes it really fun.

[10:55] Jeryl Brunner: Yeah. It's beautiful. And I love the dynamic between Dougal and Robin, you and Christiane. What do you love about Dougal? I mean, he's such a puppy dog in the way.

[11:01] Sam Tutty: Yeah.

[11:02] Jeryl Brunner: He's so earnest.

[11:04] Sam Tutty: Yeah.

[11:05] Jeryl Brunner: And you want to take care of him, but at the same time, you understand Robin has a mission in her life to live. But what do you adore about him?

[11:17] Sam Tutty: I think there's this sort of, there's this bravery in him that I love. I think he's so deeply brave and it makes me feel brave in myself when I'm on stage with him. There's this, the first few scenes I find are the hardest because they're my hardest songs. And, you know, the exposition for the rest of the show is still needed to, still needs to happen. And then after a certain point, we can reap the rewards of giving that information about, you know, why we're here, what are the stakes, not going well, why is Robin upset? What's their relationship with their sister? All this sort of stuff. After we do all that work in the first, like four or five scenes, there's this atmosphere for me where we can reap the rewards of all of that exposition.

And I feel I can be still on stage. I feel like I can muck around within reason. I think Dougal's got this amazing box of tools that he can have endless access to. So I think when I'm on stage, it makes me feel like I have that toolbox as well in my own personal life. So I think that's a really fun experience for me. He's taught a lot about who I would like to be. And I think the show revolves around people who they should be rather than who they want to be. And I think that's what I've taken away from it myself as well.

[12:45] Jeryl Brunner: How has your idea of New York changed? You've been here, what, six months?

[12:54] Sam Tutty: Yeah, just near about six months. Yes. So, um, how has it changed? It's changed a lot, you know, it's very loud, it's very expensive, you know, but it's a beautiful city. Now that it's warming up, now that we're out of that cold freeze, I'm starting to really uncover the city and learn why everyone loves it so much. I'm really happy that I can do this show in this city because it now finally feels like home. You know, it's a really fun experience.

[13:26] Jeryl Brunner: Yeah, 'cause I've heard you talk about how some of the real kind of insider New York jokes, you know, it's hard to get them if you're not...

[13:36] Sam Tutty: Yeah, and that's the deliciousness of the show as well. If you know New York and you're talking about New York, it's delightful.

[13:45] Jeryl Brunner: So I'm curious how that hits you now that...

[13:50] Sam Tutty: It's really helped me understand how to deliver the jokes that are necessary. Do you know what I mean? I now know how to say that line funnier because I now know the truth behind what Dougal believes is true. You know, I mean, there's this great line like, "Oh, you're from New York, so you probably go to the Statue of Liberty all the time." He truly believes that.

[14:15] Jeryl Brunner: As I read, I saw an interview from 2024 where, yeah, the show is just beginning its West End run. You said you wanted to go to the statue.

[14:24] Sam Tutty: Yeah, no, no, I've never been, and I'm sort of happy not to. You know, live in Dougal's shoes. You know, he never ends up going because he learns much about himself. So I'm sort of... yeah, it's really given me the tools to hone in and just fine-tune those line deliveries. It's really, really fun.

[14:44] Jeryl Brunner: What is your ideal day off in New York? I know you're like a...

[14:50] Sam Tutty: A spa day, a good, you know, a good relax. Maybe some exercise just to brush the cobwebs off. But yeah, I like Central Park. I'm really a big fan of that place. I love that place deeply. It's a good place to get away.

[15:08] Jeryl Brunner: Do you mind sharing where in Central Park you love to go?

[15:15] Sam Tutty: I mean, I have a meadow. I love the meadow. Like, that's amazing, you know, just walking around, going down into the... is it the shambles? What's it called?

[15:28] Jeryl Brunner: Oh, the Ramble.

[15:35] Sam Tutty: Yeah, I love that. Yeah, it was just general green and peace and nature, you know? I mean, just to unwind from this concrete jungle.

[15:46] Jeryl Brunner: Do you mind me asking you about your lightning strikes moment? You know, when you knew you had to be an artist. From what I've read, you're from a place called Crawley in the southeast of England, very into sports and wanted to be a runner, and then you got into drama. But yeah, you tell it—what inspired you to become an artist? When did you know this was your path?

[16:07] Sam Tutty: I was getting really good grades in drama and in acting when I was a kid, and I didn't think anything of it because I was having fun. So I was just sort of like, "Oh, this is cool. This is really fun. I feel like I'm scratching an itch inside me." But I never... you know, then it wasn't until like a decade and a half later where I was like, "No, this is actually something I want to commit to." I did it at sixth form, which is what you need—sixth form is the exams you need to do to get into university. So I started at sixth form, did my A-levels, and got good grades there. I thought, "Right, I'm gonna throw my hat in the ring because there's not really anything else I'm particularly interested in that I would want to make a career out of."

[16:59] Sam Tutty: Yeah, I mean, I scraped the barrel with auditions for drama schools. My last, by no means least, audition was for a place called Italia Conti, and they just accepted me barely because I was so bad at auditioning. So that was fun. And then I just... yeah, I just keep getting lucky. I just keep getting remarkably, impossibly lucky with my career. You know, when it came to Evan Hansen, that was like close to, you know, 10,000 auditions for the role of Evan, and you know, they looked my way—this literal nobody who had just walked out of drama school. And you know, that was just a remarkable moment for me. I think I realized in that moment that I've probably used up all my luck for the rest of my career.

And then, you know, this show came along, and I thought, "Well, this is a really fun thing to do afterwards." I'm really happy that I'm doing this, and it just kept on giving me more incredible experiences. So it's just a really remarkable... having a very remarkable life. I'm very grateful, and I am very aware and acutely aware of how fortunate I am. You know, there's a lot of things above me playing into this incredible life. So I think I have a lot of lightning-strike moments, this being one of them.

[18:29] Jeryl Brunner: What was one of the first things you performed in, whether it was like in the backyard or, you know, one of the first shows you were in as a kid?

[18:35] Sam Tutty: I was in Grease. I was in a school musical of Grease.

[18:39] Jeryl Brunner: Who did you play?

[18:45] Sam Tutty: I was one of the T-Birds—those magic changes. Yeah, and that was a big moment where I thought I could do this. Maybe not professionally, but certainly something that I didn't want to give up on because I knew that I could then sing, and I was figuring out how to sing properly and sustainably. It was fun; it was good fun.

[19:10] Jeryl Brunner: Yeah, 'cause I was wondering how you knew you had that voice. You know, what were some of the earliest songs you sang?

[19:16] Sam Tutty: You know, I did a choir at primary school when I was very young, and they gave me a solo because I could hold a note. I didn't realize I could. I was like, "Oh, is this what this is like?" And, you know, then I just realized as I got older that maybe I have a bit of a singing voice. And then it wasn't until drama school where I really explored my range, and you know, then they taught me techniques and things like that. It wasn't until Evan Hansen that I learned about sustainability because that was one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life and a real easy one-way trip to just never singing again if you don't do it correctly. So, yeah, I feel like I figured it out maybe in some way there that I've learned a lot about myself during this Broadway run about the demands of the performers, you know, and things like that. I think doing a two-hander is another level of challenge that I'm sort of navigating. But yeah, I'm figuring it out. I'm at the same time having fun as well, you know.

[20:23] Jeryl Brunner: Yeah, how do you come off? You know, it's just the two of you and, of course, the beautiful orchestra, but just the two of you on stage that whole time. How do you come off, you know, every performance?

[20:38] Sam Tutty: Yeah, I think it's quite easy to... I think I don't understand where people find it difficult to sort of leave it at work. It's a very confusing notion for me that I don't understand. If you struggle with that, maybe you need to... sounds maybe a bit inconsiderate, but maybe need to... I think, you know, I've done a lot of difficult jobs and a lot of things that were deeply rooted in trauma and in my own familial trauma. And I, you know, I had to check in a few times and be like, "Are we good with myself? We good? Okay." And I think these things are just like you focus on things outside of work. Like, you know, I can't wait to eat and watch my shows when I get in. Do you know what I mean? Like, things like real little rewards that just keep your brain from getting overwhelmed with the sort of... because if you really recognize what you're doing, you can get sort of overwhelmed by the responsibility and by like sort of pressure, especially now in this Tony campaigning season.

It just becomes a cesspool of self-deprecation and just self-critique and criticism because you feel like you're being put up against these amazing nominees. And it's nothing like that, you know? It's just a celebration of theater. And I think if you... so it's just sort of like having conversations with yourself and thinking, looking after yourself and, you know, treating yourself.

[22:10] Jeryl Brunner: Literally, you made your West End debut, right, with Dear Evan Hansen? Do you remember when you got the call, got the news that you were cast as Evan Hansen?

[22:20] Sam Tutty: I do. My producer called me, and I just threw my phone across the room. I called my mom. I was with my flatmates at the time, and I wrote it on a little notebook when I was on the phone to them, being like, "I'm the main Evan and principal Evan." I remember that really well. It was a really remarkable moment for me, and I was so young as well. I was so like... physically, I was 21, 22. I was so young, emotionally and physically, that I just sort of was only excited, and I wasn't like terrified. I think I was just so excited to be like, "Yeah, I can do this." I just had no doubt in my mind. And it isn't until you get older, whether it's like you sort of remove yourself from that ignorance is bliss, and you sort of gain self-awareness and you realize, "Okay, I've actually got to lock in."

[23:11] Jeryl Brunner: Is there anything you wish you could tell that young kid, you know, who was starring in Grease?

[23:19] Sam Tutty: Yeah, just keep going; it gets better, you know? Keep going.

[23:25] Jeryl Brunner: Is there a role you're aching to play?

[23:31] Sam Tutty: Yeah, I'd love to do Orpheus in some way. I'd love to play... I'd love to because that's another challenge—singing. Basically, I just love to do the hardest stuff that's out there just to see if I can do it and where my limits are. I think Orpheus is another challenge in its own way, just singing, you know, in your falsetto for two and a half hours straight is something else. So yeah, I'd love to give that a try.

[23:56] Jeryl Brunner: Yeah, I know you said you watch your shows. Do you want to reveal what they are?

[24:03] Sam Tutty: We always say, "God, watching some, you know, just documentaries and things like that." I'm watching a lot of British stuff to keep me, you know, like Gone Fishing, which is a show with two great comedians, Paul Whitehouse and Bob Mortimer. Just to remind me of home and to keep me, you know, remind me what I'm doing it all for.

[24:19] Jeryl Brunner: Is there something you really miss about home? I mean, of course, family is there, and something that you love about New York that you can't get at home?

[24:29] Sam Tutty: Well, I miss the quiet. I'm in quiet so much. I miss trees, and I miss the UK nature. I miss London. I miss food over there. I miss it all. I miss it. Not to maybe realize how much I love my home country so much. It's definitely a place where I love to be. I love being here so much. It's an incredible experience, and it has changed me for the better in so many ways. But it makes me realize how much I am a homeboy.

[25:03] Jeryl Brunner: Well, you're so generous. Thank you so much for your time.

[25:07] Sam Tutty: Thank you so much. Take care.

[25:12] ♪ Musical number: "Theme Song" — performed by Tom McGovern ♪