Tanninger Entertainment’s latest production earns eight Tony nominations
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, May 13, 2026
NEW YORK — Tanninger Entertainment notches another win as its latest production secures eight Tony nominations.
“Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York)” received nods for several top awards, including Best Musical, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Sam Tutty), and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Christiani Pitts).
The new show also received nominations for Best Book, Best Original Score, Best Scenic Design, Best Direction of a Musical (Tim Jackson), and Best Orchestrations.
“We are deeply honored to see Two Strangers recognized by the Tony Awards alongside so many extraordinary productions this season,” Ryan Jude Tanner said on behalf of Tanninger Entertainment. “This production represents everything we love about theater — heart, originality, connection, and the power of storytelling to bring people together. We are incredibly grateful to the cast, creative team, producers, investors, and audiences who have embraced this show.”
“Two Strangers” tells the story of Englishman Dougal Todd, who flies to New York for his estranged father’s wedding, imagining the city he’s seen romanticized in cinema. Cynical New Yorker Robin Rainey, the sister of the bride, picks Todd up at the airport and he tags along with her as she picks up the wedding cake.
Tanner is a Quincy native who, along with Krottinger, created the Tulsa, Okla.-based Tanninger Companies. Along with Patricia Chernicky, Tanninger Entertainment has racked up numerous Tony nominations and a number of wins including Best Musical in 2024 for “The Outsiders,” produced in collaboration with Angelina Jolie and Best Revival of a Musical in 2019 after helping bring “Oklahoma!” back to Broadway.
While the Tonys are the largest awards in stage productions, Tanninger has also won coveted prizes including Drama Desk Awards, Laurence Olivier Awards, and Grammy Awards.
The newest Tony nominations continue the company’s history of helping create critically-acclaimed and award-winning productions on Broadway, London’s West End, and on stages across the country.
In addition to the stage productions, the Tanninger Companies also operate locally, having revitalized the Patio Restaurant and Lounge and the Elkton Hotel, with additional projects underway.
