Chloe Adams
Birthday Candles is a Broadway play by Noah Haidle, starring Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, directed by Vivienne Benesch. The play follows the story of Ernestine Ashworth, played by Messing, who spends her 17th birthday contemplating her insignificance in the universe. The 90-minute play explores Ernestine's birthdays over the course of 90 years, with the character baking the same cake for herself on each of her birthdays. The play received mixed reviews, with some praising the acting, set, and direction, while others found it overly sentimental and superficial.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Playwright | Noah Haidle |
| Director | Vivienne Benesch |
| Starring | Debra Messing, Susannah Flood, John Earl Jelks, Enrico Colantoni, Crystal Finn, Christopher Livingston |
| Theatre | American Airlines Theatre |
| Address | 227 West 42nd Street, New York, NY |
| Opening Night | April 10, 2022 |
| Closing Night | May 29, 2022 |
| Running Time | 90 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
The play's exploration of the preciousness of life
"Birthday Candles" is a Broadway play that explores the preciousness of life through the story of a woman's journey from her 17th birthday to her 101st. The play, written by Noah Haidle, follows the character of Ernestine, played by Debra Messing, as she grapples with the meaning of life, love, loss, and everything in between.
The play is structured around Ernestine's birthdays and the tradition of baking a cake, passed down through generations. Each birthday marks a new chapter in Ernestine's life, from her teenage years, where she questions her insignificance in the universe, to her later years, where she reflects on the passage of time and the cycles of life and death.
One of the key ways the play explores the preciousness of life is through its use of repetition. Ernestine's birthdays repeat like a record needle stuck in a groove, creating a sense of déjà vu for the audience. This repetition emphasizes the cyclical nature of life and how everyday rhythms can become both comforting and stifling. The play also uses metaphysical imagery, with the set design by Christine Jones featuring a homey kitchen framed by doorless thresholds, representing passage into the house, the outside world, or even the afterlife.
The play doesn't shy away from grand pronouncements and existential metaphors. For example, the ingredients for the birthday cake include "stardust, the machinery of the cosmos," and "atoms left over from creation," reflecting the characters' attempts to understand their place in the universe. The characters also recite lines from "King Lear," exploring the nature of life and the passage of time through the words of a mad monarch.
Despite some criticism that the play feels sentimental and superficial at times, "Birthday Candles" offers a thoughtful exploration of the preciousness of life. It serves as a reminder to cherish the everyday moments, embrace the unexpected, and find meaning and connection in the universe.
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The significance of the birthday cake
Birthday Candles is a play written by Noah Haidle, and its initial preview was held on April 2, 2020, at the Roundabout Theatre Company's American Airlines Theatre. The play stars Debra Messing and marks her return to Broadway after 20 years. The play was expected to run for a limited engagement until June 21, 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the production was suspended on March 12, 2020.
Now, here is the information on the significance of the birthday cake:
The birthday cake is a central and iconic feature of birthday celebrations in many cultures. Its presence and ritualistic use hold a special significance that goes beyond its role as a delicious dessert. The birthday cake is a symbol of celebration, unity, and, most importantly, life itself. The act of blowing out the candles on a birthday cake is steeped in tradition and carries a special kind of magic. The birthday cake is often the focal point of the celebration, taking centre stage as the guest of honour arrives. Its presence brings people together, creating a sense of community and shared joy.
The cake itself is a work of art, carefully crafted and decorated, often with personal touches that reflect the personality or interests of the birthday boy or girl. It becomes a symbol of the individual being celebrated, a unique creation that is almost too beautiful to cut into. The candles on the cake hold a special significance. Their light represents the light of life and the passing of time. As each candle is lit, it marks the passage of another year and becomes a bright reminder of the beauty and fragility of our existence. The act of blowing out the candles is a powerful ritual. As the candles are extinguished, it is believed that wishes are granted, dreams are set in motion, and hopes for the future are ignited.
The birthday cake also serves as a delicious reminder of the sweetness of life. It is a treat to be savoured and shared, bringing people together in a celebration of flavour and joy. Often, the birthday cake is accompanied by songs and well-wishes, creating a festive atmosphere that fills the room with love and happiness. The tradition of the birthday cake is a beautiful way to honour and celebrate the life of a loved one. It is a reminder of the precious gift of life, a symbol of unity and community, and a delicious treat that brings people together. The birthday cake and its candles hold a special magic, creating lasting memories and a sense of wonder that stays with us long after the candles have been blown out.
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The set design
The kitchen is a traditional setting for a family drama, with baking a cake a familiar activity that anchors the narrative. The floating kitchen in the cosmos, however, is a surreal element that reflects the play's exploration of the nature of life and the passage of time. The household objects hanging above the kitchen like stars could represent the vastness of the universe, or the passage of time, with objects suspended in mid-air suggesting a freeze-frame or time-lapse effect.
Overall, the set design of Birthday Candles is an impressive and practical creation that blends seamlessly with the acting and direction to elevate the script and tell a compelling story.
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The cast
Debra Messing as Ernestine Ashworth, who spends her 17th birthday agonizing over her insignificance in the universe. Messing is best known for her role in the Emmy Award-winning and Golden Globe-nominated comedy series Will & Grace.
Enrico Colantoni as Kenneth. Colantoni has appeared in Hulu's Veronica Mars, the film A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, and the Netflix series Feel The Beat.
John Earl Jelks as Matt/William. Jelks has also appeared in Hulu's The First Wife and the film A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.
Susannah Flood as Alice/Madeline/Ernie, who is Ernestine's mother. Flood has been seen on Broadway in The Cherry Orchard and Off-Broadway in The Counter and Make Believe.
Christopher Livingston as Billy/John. Livingston has been seen on Broadway in The Great Society and on Netflix in Mindhunter.
Crystal Finn as Joan/Alex/Beth, making her Broadway debut. Finn has also appeared Off-Broadway in Plano and Villa.
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Critical reception
The Broadway debut of playwright Noah Haidle, 'Birthday Candles' received mixed reviews from critics. The play follows the character of Ernestine (Debra Messing) on several of her birthdays, from age 17 to old age, and explores the highlights and heartbreaks of 100 years in a 90-minute runtime.
Dave Quinn of Entertainment Weekly praised the acting range of Messing but criticised the pacing of the play, stating that "the action moves so fast that emotional moments pop up out of nowhere, and Ernestine's responses ring hollow". Maya Phillips of the New York Times commented on the use of repetition in the play, noting that "repetition can make magic happen: repeat a word or a phrase enough times and it breathes new life, fresh meaning".
Juan A. Ramirez of Theatrely described the play as "self-satisfied", stating that it "has almost nothing to say about the grand existential themes it barks throughout its brisk 90 minutes". Howard Miller of Talkin' Broadway echoed similar sentiments, noting that the play consists of "a ticking off of biographical events" and that it is "incumbent on members of the audience to find a personal connection to the ups and downs of Ernestine's life".
On the other hand, some critics found the play moving and emotionally affecting. The Chicago Tribune praised the play, stating that it is "precisely why people go to the theater". The New York Post called it "warm", saying that it "bubbles up our own cherished and difficult memories of the people in our lives who’ve come and gone". The Daily Beast also described the play as "affecting", noting that it "confronts the big and small questions of existence and time itself".
Some viewers on Reddit also expressed positive opinions about the play, with one user recommending it for those who are "looking for a good play that doesn't rustle feathers". Another user praised the direction and concept of the play, particularly the handling of time distortion, stating that it was "done very well".
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Frequently asked questions
The play runs for 90 minutes with no intermission.
The show played at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway.
The play was written by Noah Haidle.
The show starred Emmy Award winner Debra Messing.
Birthday Candles follows the story of Ernestine Ashworth and her birthdays over the course of 90 years, from her 17th birthday to her 101st.
