Two-Person Musicals – The Full List of Shows
Last Updated: May 6, 2025
Looking for an intimate musical for a cast of two? These two-person shows (often called two-handers) provide space for rich storytelling and character work with minimal resources. From bold pieces to minimalistic productions, here’s the full list of two-person musicals.
Two-Person Musicals
A Party with Betty Comden and Adolph Green
Lyrics/Book: Betty Comden, Adolph Green Music: Leonard Bernstein, Jule Styne, André Previn, Saul Chaplin, Roger Eden, Morton Gould
Musical Type: Golden Age (1958)
Cast Size: 1F, 1M
Music/Lyrics: Paul Gordon Book: John Caird
Musical Type: Contemporary (2009)
Cast Size: 1F, 1M
Music: Brendan Milburn Lyrics: Valerie Vigoda Book: Joe DiPietro
Musical Type: Contemporary (2017)
Cast Size: 1F, 1M
Music: Polly Pen Lyrics: Peggy Harmon
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1985)
Cast Size: 2F
Music/Lyrics/Book: Scott Brown, Anthony King
Musical Type: Contemporary (2005)
Cast Size: 2 Any Gender
Music/Lyrics: Stephen Trask Book: John Cameron Mitchell
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1998)
Cast Size: 2 Any Gender
Music: Harvey Schmidt Lyrics/Book: Tom Jones
Musical Type: Post-Golden Age (1966)
Cast Size: 1F, 1M
Music/Book: Andrew Lippa Lyrics/Book: Tommy Greenwald
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1995)
Cast Size: 1F, 1M
Music/Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Concept: Craig Lucas, Norman René
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary Revue (1980)
Cast Size: 1F, 1M
Music/Book: Joe Kinosian Lyrics/Book: Kellen Blair
Musical Type: Contemporary (2011)
Cast Size: 2 Any Gender
Music/Lyrics/Book: Jason Robert Brown
Musical Type: Contemporary (2001)
Cast Size: 1F, 1M
Music: Nancy Ford Lyrics/Book: Gretchen Cryer
Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1970)
Cast Size: 1F, 1M
Music/Lyrics: Neil Bartram Book: Brian Hill
Musical Type: Contemporary (2006)
Cast Size: 2M
Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
Music/Lyrics/Book: Jim Barne, Kit Buchan
Musical Type: Contemporary (2019)
Cast Size: 1F, 1M
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Which of these two-person musicals is your favorite?
Or have you ever played a role in any of these two-handers? Feel free to share in the comments below! And if you enjoy exploring these lists, check out the musical database, where you can discover musicals organized by composer, theme, setting, and much more!
Author: Stacy Karyn
Stacy Karyn is the founder of Theatre Trip, author of The Thespian’s Bucket List, and creator of The Cast Album List. She holds a BA in theatre and a TESOL drama certificate, with experience working and interning in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.
