Vivienne Benesch directs the cast led by Emmy winner Debra Messing (Will and Grace, Outside Mullingar) and including Tony nominee John Earl Jelks (Sweat, Radio Golf), Enrico Colantoni (Just Shoot Me, Veronica Mars) in his Broadway debut, Crystal Finn (Roundabout's Bobbie Clearly), Susannah Flood (The Cherry Orchard), and Christopher Livingston (Roundabout's Something Clean).
The play follows Ernestine Ashworth (Messing), who, through the baking of a birthday cake over a 100-year period, examines her life and place in the universe.
Check out photos from opening night below:
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See Mariska Hartigay, Bryan Cranston, More Celebrate Opening Night of Birthday Candles
The production also has set design by Christine Jones, costume design by Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by Jen Schriever, sound design by John Gromada, and original music by Kate Hopgood.
Birthday Candles was commissioned by Detroit Public Theatre, where it premiered in 2018. It was originally slated for production at Roundabout in spring 2020. The play marks Haidle's Broadway debut, but his work has previously been seen on New York stages at Roundabout Theatre Company (Mr. Marmalade) and Lincoln Center Theater (Saturn Returns).
Lupita Nyong'o, Katrina Lenk, Jelani Alladin, and more were on hand to celebrate the October 31 opening night of Michael R. Jackson and Anna K. Jacobs' new musical.