English actor Sam Tutty, who won a Laurence Olivier Award — the UK’s version of a Tony — for best actor in a musical in 2020 for his lead role in the West End production of “Dear Evan Hanson,” said he is enjoying everything about his current visit to Boston. “Of course, I’m enjoying the touristy stuff, but I think my favorite thing is just working here and sort of settling in to this place … just blending in and doing the normal stuff like putting the wash in, but it’s in Boston. And ordering a coffee, but it’s in Boston. And going for a walk, but you’re in Boston,” said Tutty, 27, who is costarring in “Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)” at the American Repertory Theater through June 29. “All those sorts of things.” Tutty played the role of Dougal in the play’s West End debut, and he said that thanks to his current costar, Christiani Pitts (who plays Robin and has been in several Broadway musicals, including costarring in “King Kong”), for changing his perspective on his character. “There have been different Robins, so that means Dougal’s got to change as well. And that was a bit scary at first, because I had two years of muscle memory embedded in my body about how I would perceive this character to be, and then Christiani comes along and completely changes that. It was so fun to sort of start from scratch again.” The story follows Dougal, a young and naïve Brit, who has just landed in New York for his absent dad’s second wedding. Robin, the sister of the bride and a native New Yorker, picks Dougal up at the airport and, taking a page from traditional rom-coms (with some twists and turns), the two strangers end up having a profound impact on each other’s lives. “We want to offer escapism for 2–2 ½ hours, so I hope they [audience members] feel happy, or entertained, or distracted by whatever’s going on in their lives — good or bad — for a certain amount of time. That’s the only reason we do this,” Tutty said. “There is no other higher purpose or world-saving thing that we can do other than offer escapism. So, if people enjoy it and they laugh and if they cry and if they feel something, that’s my job done to the highest possible standard.” We caught up with the Crawley, England, native, to talk about all things travel.
If you could travel anywhere right now, where would you go?
I’d return to Switzerland. My partner [Carly Turnbull, a wardrobe supervisor for West End shows] and I went there a year or two ago, and it was just the most magical experience I’ve ever had. You’ve got to remember that being from the UK, we’re starved of mountains. The concept of mountains is so surreal to us in the UK — to me, anyway — so when my partner and I saw them for the first time, it was crazy. It was absolutely crazy. It was just an amazing time. The driving was incredible, the views were incredible, the food was amazing, we went up mountains, we went tobogganing … such a beautiful time.
Do you prefer booking trips through a travel agent or on your own?
I prefer doing it by myself. I think you get more ownership, and you can cater to your own needs much easier.
Thoughts on an “unplugged” vacation?
If you think that’s an ingredient that is necessary for the vacation, then absolutely. Hopefully, most vacations are more unplugged than when you are just at home or working because you’re having an amazing experience.
What has been your worst vacation experience?
I’ve been very blessed to say that I haven’t had one. I remember one for my mum, though. When we were kids, we went to a campsite and long story short, we booked a caravan [camper] that was covered in bugs. I was so young that I don’t really remember. I was just playing outside all the time, but my mum was fighting off millipedes and mold and cockroaches.
What is your favorite childhood travel memory?
I was probably about 16 or 17, so maybe not childhood, but my family and I went to Disney World in Florida. And as cliche as it sounds, it was just everything that we hoped it would be. We booked it two years in advance, and I was counting down every single day. It got to the point where people in my class would ask, “how many days, Sam?” And I would say “391,” like the weird little boy that I was.
Do you vacation to relax, to learn, or for the adventure of it all?
If you don’t do all three, I would say it’s a missed opportunity. I’m always trying to go to a museum or to learn about the culture where I am.
What book do you plan on bringing with you to read on your next vacation?
The one that I have read loads is the “A Court of Thorns and Roses” series by Sarah J. Maas. I’ve read all of them and they were just fantastic.
If you could travel with one famous person/celebrity, who would it be?
Other than with my family, I would probably like to travel with someone really profound — probably the late playwright Noël Coward. I did “Dear Evan Hansen” in the Noël Coward Theatre in London and it was a life-changing event for me. I saw photos of him and autobiographies of him everywhere. And I felt quite connected to him at that certain point in my life, so I would like to maybe go on holiday with him and just chat with him about his experiences.
What is the best gift to give a traveler?
Probably a first aid kit. If you do need it, it could be lifesaving. And if you don’t, that means you had a great trip.
What is your go-to snack for a flight or a road trip?
Crisps, like chips. I’m not much of a sweets or candy guy; I prefer savory.
What is the coolest souvenir you’ve picked up on a vacation?
When I was a kid, I went to Lanzarote [one of the Canary Islands off the north coast of Africa that is known for its volcanic landscape] and I picked up a bit of volcano, just from the ground. I remember that felt so rebellious and so cool. I brought it to school and all the kids were going crazy for it.
What is your favorite app/website for travel?
I think Reddit’s really good. There’s great sort of threads for places where you want to go. Do’s and Don’ts on YouTube is also a great one. Before I came to Boston, I watched three videos on the Do’s and Don’ts of Boston as a Brit.
What has travel taught you?
Travel taught me perspective. I’d also say privilege. I’m very fortunate to live in and to come from a country where tourism is huge all year round and not just seasonal.
What is your best travel tip?
Stay hydrated. Drink water and wear sunscreen, regardless of the weather!
Juliet Pennington can be reached at writeonjuliet@comcast.net.