Birthday Candles

Birthday Candles, a poignant and funny play by Noah Haidle, follows Ernestine Ashworth as she spends her 17th birthday agonizing over her insignificance in the universe, only to find herself suddenly at 18, then 41, 70, and 101. Directed by Alex Levy, this 1st Stage production traces the highlights, heartbreaks, and extraordinary moments that make up one woman’s ordinary life, and has been extended from its originally scheduled December 21 close through December 28. The production also includes multiple accessible performances, free community conversations, and a cast of twelve performers taking on a wide range of roles.

When: December 4–28, 2026, extended from the originally listed December 21 end date.

Showtimes: December 4 at 7:30pm; December 5 at 7:30pm; December 6 at 2pm and 7:30pm; December 7 at 2pm; December 11 at 7:30pm; December 12 at 7:30pm; December 13 at 2pm and 7:30pm; December 14 at 2pm; December 18 at 7:30pm; December 19 at 7:30pm; December 20 at 2pm and 7:30pm; December 21 at 2pm; December 26 at 7:30pm; December 27 at 2pm and 7:30pm; December 28 at 2pm and 7:00pm.

Tickets: Tickets are available through 1st Stage’s online ticketing system by selecting a specific performance date. The page does not list a price, and the event details indicate pricing is not available.

Run time: About 100 minutes with no intermission.

Lineup: The cast features Deidra LaWan Starnes as Ernestine Ashworth; Surasree Das as Joan/Alex/Beth; Chris Genebach as Matt/William; Patrick Joy as Billy/John; Hannah Taylor as Alice/Madeline/Ernie; and Jacob Yeh as Kenneth. Understudies include Rachel Manteuffel (Ernestine Ashworth), Dylan Arredondo (Kenneth/Matt), Hannah Chester (Alice/Joan et al.), and Terrence Griffin (Billy/John).

Creative Team: Directed by Alex Levy; scenic design by Jonathan Dahm Robertson; lighting design by Helen Garcia-Alton; sound design by Sarah O’Halloran; costume design by Lynly Saunders; props design by Cindy Jacobs; stage management by Sarah Usary; assistant stage management by Maria Bissex; intimacy coordination by Lorraine Ressegger; and assistant direction by Ezinne Elele.

Ages: No age restriction is listed on the page.

Accessibility: Open captioned performances are offered on December 11 at 7:30pm, December 12 at 7:30pm, December 13 at 2pm and 7:30pm, and December 14 at 2pm. An audio-described performance is scheduled for December 14 at 2pm. A mask-required performance is offered on December 13 at 7:30pm. 1st Stage notes on the page that it believes everyone should have access to exceptional theatre.

Community Conversations: Free post-performance conversations are scheduled throughout the run: Meet the Design Team follows the 2pm performance on December 6; Meet the Director follows the 2pm performance on December 7; Meet the Cast follows the 2pm performance on December 13; and an online Meet the Cast via Zoom takes place on December 15 at 7pm with free registration.

Note: This production is presented with generous support from Wilma Probst Levy, in honor of Louis Levy.