Jonathan Bailey, celebrated actor and PEOPLE’s reigning Sexiest Man Alive, took a break from the whirlwind surrounding Wicked: For Good to support someone incredibly important in his life — his childhood best friend, Kit Buchan. The longtime friends reunited on Thursday, Nov. 20, at the Longacre Theatre in New York City for the official Broadway opening of Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), a new musical written by Buchan and composer Jim Barne.
While Bailey dazzled audiences earlier that same night onscreen in Wicked: For Good, he chose to spend his evening in the heart of Broadway, celebrating Buchan’s long-awaited debut.
A Full-Circle Moment for Jonathan Bailey and Kit Buchan
During an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Bailey, 37, shared why this night meant so much to him. He and Buchan grew up together, spent their teen years creating short films, and bonded over their shared love of theater. Buchan even introduced Bailey to Wicked for the first time, making the connection between the new Wicked film and Buchan’s Broadway opening especially meaningful.
Photographers captured the friends smiling side-by-side on the red carpet before the show, and later celebrating together at the opening night afterparty at the Edison Ballroom.
A Heartwarming Reunion with Jelani Alladin
The evening also brought a reunion between Bailey and Jelani Alladin, his costar from the 2023 Showtime miniseries Fellow Travelers. The two actors were photographed together at the afterparty, adding another layer of excitement for fans who loved their dynamic on-screen.
A Friendship Built Through Creativity
Bailey and Buchan both recalled meeting at age 14 in what they described as a strict, sports-focused school environment. Creativity became their escape. Buchan described their bond as immediate, while Bailey joked that he often copied Buchan’s homework because his friend was a “ferocious talent.”
Their shared creative spirit deeply influenced their careers. Bailey said he credits their friendship — along with close relationships with Buchan’s brother Alastor and collaborator Jim Barne — with shaping his early artistic passions.
The Journey of ‘Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)’
Buchan has spent a decade developing the musical, which follows an unlikely duo — a cheerful British traveler and a practical New Yorker — who must deliver a wedding cake across Manhattan. As they navigate mishaps and chaos, the characters form an unexpected bond that reshapes their understanding of love, family, and connection.
The show traveled from the U.K. to the West End and eventually to its North American premiere in Boston before arriving on Broadway. Throughout the process, Buchan made adjustments to ensure the story resonated with New Yorkers. Some changes were as simple as correcting how locals refer to the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, while others involved increasing the realism of New York City prices portrayed in the show.
Critics and Audiences Respond with Enthusiasm
Critics have praised the production’s humor, heart, and ’90s rom-com charm. Bailey echoed the positive reviews, calling the musical “astonishingly brilliant” and encouraging Broadway fans to see it this season.
The production stars Sam Tutty and Christiani Pitts, with Vincent Michael and Phoenix Best serving as understudies. Previews began Nov. 1, and the show is currently running as an open-ended engagement on Broadway.
Jonathan Bailey’s Big Month Continues
Bailey’s appearance at the Broadway opening came as Wicked: For Good hit theaters, marking a major moment in his already standout year. While the sequel is drawing global attention, Bailey’s presence at his friend’s milestone proves that some connections remain more important than the spotlight.
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