Birthday Candles
Birthday Candles - 2022 Broadway History , Info & More
Todd Haimes Theatre (Broadway)
229 W. 42nd St. New York, NY
Debra Messing (Will & Grace) returns to the stage as Ernestine Ashworth, who spends her 17th birthday agonizing over her insignificance in the universe.
Soon enough, it’s her 18th birthday. Even sooner, her 41st. Her 70th. Her 101st. Five generations, dozens of goldfish, an infinity of dreams, one cake baked over a century. What makes a lifetime…into a life?
A writer of "freewheeling ambition" (Charles Isherwood, The New York Times), Noah Haidle makes his Broadway debut with a poignant new play as fearless in scope as it is tremendous in heart.
COVID-specific information can be found here.
Birthday Candles - 2022 - Broadway Cast
PREVIEW Birthday Candles - 2022 - Broadway
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Videos
FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Birthday Candles
Debra Messing Bakes a Cake in ‘Birthday Candles’ on Broadway
6 / 10
The stolen moments of the play-Messing letting Ernestine silently imbibe the world and events around her-make the most impact, as well as its affecting denouement (in which Finn, again, is a standout), when Ernestine attempts to finally finish the cake (and my, how you will panic over her lifting a container of flour). As it confronts the big and small questions of existence and time itself, Birthday Candles itself proves simultaneously over-baked and under-baked, but its performers ensure it is served warm.
‘Birthday Candles’ Broadway Review: Debra Messing Bakes Up A Life In New Dramedy
6 / 10
What the play doesn't quite manage is balance of a more stylistic bent, moving fitfully between naturalism and a more fabulist approach, the latter marked by some rather twee flourishes (a goldfish or, rather, a 100-year series of goldfishes, all named Atman, which, we're told, is a Sanskrit word for 'the divinity within yourself.' Despite whatever missteps, though, Messing and the rest of the cast nicely convey the spectrum of emotions that a life's sweep encompasses, from happy times to sad (at the reviewed performance, audience sobs and sniffles were as audible as the laughter). Not even a tacked-on final birthday scene that strains credulity can sour the simple, icing-sweet pleasures of Birthday Candles.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 16, 2022
Roundabout Theatre Company will conclude the New York premiere of Birthday Candles by Noah Haidle, starring Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, directed by Vivienne Benesch on Sunday, May 29.
by Michael Major - April 25, 2022
Debra Messing sat down with Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest this morning to discuss her current Broadway run in Birthday Candles. She discusses the plot of the play and how her character bakes a real cake onstage during every performance. Watch the new interview now!
by Opening Night - April 11, 2022
Just last night, Roundabout Theatre Company New York premiere of Birthday Candles by Noah Haidle, starring Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, directed by Vivienne Benesch, celebrated opening night at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street). This is a limited engagement through Sunday, May 29, 2022.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - April 11, 2022
Yesterday, Sunday, April 10, manhole cover explosions in Times Square caused panic among tourists and the exiting opening night audience of Broadway's Birthday Candles.
by Bruce Glikas - April 11, 2022
Just last night, Roundabout Theatre Company New York premiere of Birthday Candles by Noah Haidle, starring Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, directed by Vivienne Benesch, celebrated opening night at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway and BroadwayWorld was there to capture photos!
by Bruce Glikas - April 11, 2022
Just last night, Roundabout Theatre Company New York premiere of Birthday Candles by Noah Haidle, starring Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, directed by Vivienne Benesch, celebrated opening night at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street). This is a limited engagement through Sunday, May 29, 2022.
by Bruce Glikas - April 11, 2022
Just last night, Roundabout Theatre Company New York premiere of Birthday Candles by Noah Haidle, starring Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, directed by Vivienne Benesch, celebrated opening night and BroadwayWorld was there to capture pictures.
by Show Highlights - April 8, 2022
Watch a video from Roundabout Theatre Company's New York premiere of Birthday Candles by Noah Haidle, starring Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, directed by Vivienne Benesch.
by Nicole Rosky - April 10, 2022
Read all the reviews of Roundabout Theatre Company's New York premiere of Birthday Candles by Noah Haidle, starring Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, directed by Vivienne Benesch including the New York Times and more.
by Nicole Rosky - March 30, 2022
Previews are currently underway for Roundabout Theatre Company's New York premiere of Birthday Candles by Noah Haidle, starring Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, directed by Vivienne Benesch.
by Jennifer Broski - March 23, 2022
Roundabout Theatre Company is getting ready to present the New York premiere of Birthday Candles by Noah Haidle, starring Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, directed by Vivienne Benesch. Birthday Candles will begin preview performances this Friday, March 18, 2022 and open officially on Sunday, April 10, 2022. This is a limited engagement through Sunday, May 29, 2022 at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street). Check out photos of the new theatre marquee!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - March 17, 2022
Roundabout Theatre Company will present the New York premiere of Birthday Candles by Noah Haidle, starring Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, directed by Vivienne Benesch, which begins previews tomorrow, March 18.
by Nicole Rosky - March 14, 2022
Roundabout Theatre Company is getting ready to present the New York premiere of Birthday Candles by Noah Haidle, starring Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, directed by Vivienne Benesch.
by Stephi Wild - March 18, 2022
Birthday Candles begins previews tonight, March 18, ahead of its official opening on April 10 at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street). Meet the cast bringing this show to the stage!
by Nicole Rosky - March 2, 2022
Birthday Candles is back! The company of Noah Haidle's new play met the press on March 12, 2020, just hours before Broadway officially shut down. Now, they return at last for a limited engagement at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street).
by Jennifer Broski - February 25, 2022
Debra Messing (Will & Grace) returns to the stage as Ernestine Ashworth, who spends her 17th birthday agonizing over her insignificance in the universe. Soon enough, it’s her 18th birthday. Even sooner, her 41st. Her 70th. Her 101st.
by Jennifer Broski - March 12, 2020
Rehearsals are underway for Roundabout Theatre Company's New York premiere of Birthday Candles by Noah Haidle, directed by Vivienne Benesch. The new play will star Emmy Award winner Debra Messing as 'Ernestine,' Andre Braugher as 'Matt' and Enrico Colantoni as 'Kenneth,' Crystal Finn as 'Joan/Alex/Beth,' Susannah Flood as 'Alice/Madeline/Ernie,' and Christopher Livingston as 'Billy/John.'
by Chloe Rabinowitz - January 7, 2020
Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director/CEO) has announced complete casting of the New York premiere of Birthday Candles by Noah Haidle, directed by Vivienne Benesch.
Birthday Candles History
Other Productions of Birthday Candles
| 2022 | Broadway |
Roundabout Theatre Company Original Broadway Production Broadway |
Birthday Candles - 2022 Broadway Awards and Nominations
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Play | Debra Messing |
| 2022 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Broadway Play | Birthday Candles |
| 2021 | Theatre World Awards | Theatre World Awards | Enrico Colantoni |
| 2021 | Theatre World Awards | Theatre World Awards | Crystal Finn |
Videos