Birthday Candles

The poignant and funny play *Birthday Candles*, written by Noah Haidle and directed by Alex Levy, follows Ernestine Ashworth from her 17th birthday through her 101st, capturing the highlights, heartbreaks, and extraordinary moments of an ordinary life. Presented by 1st Stage, this production runs approximately 100 minutes with no intermission and has been extended through December 28.

When: December 4–28, 2026

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: Price not available; purchase through 1st Stage’s box office

Run time: Approximately 100 minutes with no intermission

Ages: Not specified; likely suitable for general audiences (check with venue)

Venue: 1st Stage, McLean, Virginia

Accessibility: Open captioned performances on December 11 at 7:30pm, December 12 at 7:30pm, December 13 at 2pm and 7:30pm, and December 14 at 2pm. Audio-described performance on December 14 at 2pm. Mask required performance on December 13 at 7:30pm.

Community Conversations: Following the 2pm performance on December 6 – Meet the Design Team; December 7 – Meet the Director Alex Levy; December 13 – Meet the Cast (in person); December 15 at 7pm – Meet the Cast via Zoom (register free)

Cast: 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; Jacob Yeh as Kenneth; understudies: Rachel Manteuffel (Ernestine Ashworth), Dylan Arredondo (Kenneth/Matt), Hannah Chester (Alice/Joan et al.), Terrence Griffin (Billy/John)

Design Team: Director Alex Levy; Stage Manager Sarah Usary; Scenic Designer Jonathan Dahm Robertson; Assistant Stage Manager Maria Bissex; Lighting Designer Helen Garcia-Alton; Intimacy Coordinator Lorraine Ressegger; Sound Designer Sarah O’Halloran; Costume Designer Lynly Saunders; Props Designer Cindy Jacobs; Assistant Director Ezinne Elele

Note: The production has been extended from its originally announced run through December 21 to December 28. Presented with generous support from Wilma Probst Levy in honor of Louis Levy.