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Birthday Candles 2022

Ages: 12+
Opened: April 10, 2022
Closing: May 29, 2022

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.


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PREVIEW Birthday Candles - 2022 - Broadway

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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: The Monotonous Trick Kind — Review
3 / 10

Did you hear the one about the woman who lived a life? She had ups, downs, outlived some around her, was survived by others. In case you forgot the basic trajectory of human existence, a self-satisfied little play called Birthday Candles opened tonight at the American Airlines Theatre. The Broadway debut of playwright Noah Haidle, it has almost nothing to say about the grand existential themes it barks throughout its brisk 90 minutes. It's hard to imagine why Messing took on this role, which only plays into her strengths as an actor a handful of times, when the script offers up sitcom-style setups.

BIRTHDAY CANDLES Starring Debra Messing Begins Final Two Weeks on Broadway
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.

VIDEO: Debra Messing Discusses Baking a Cake Onstage During BIRTHDAY CANDLES on LIVE! With Kelly & Ryan
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!

VIDEO: Go Inside Opening Night of BIRTHDAY CANDLES
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.

Manhole Explosions Cause Panic at Opening Night of BIRTHDAY CANDLES
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.

Photos: BIRTHDAY CANDLES Company Celebrates Opening Night
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!

Photos: Debra Messing and Company Take Opening Night Bows in 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 (227 West 42nd Street). This is a limited engagement through Sunday, May 29, 2022.

Photos: BIRTHDAY CANDLES Opening Night Red Carpet
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.

VIDEO: Watch Highlights from BIRTHDAY CANDLES on Broadway
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.

Review Roundup: BIRTHDAY CANDLES on Broadway
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.

Photos: First Look at Debra Messing & More in BIRTHDAY CANDLES
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.

Up on the Marquee: BIRTHDAY CANDLES, Starring Debra Messing
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!

BIRTHDAY CANDLES on Broadway Starring Debra Messing Begins Previews Tomorrow
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.

Photos: Debra Messing & Company in Rehearsals for BIRTHDAY CANDLES
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.   

Meet the Cast of BIRTHDAY CANDLES
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!

VIDEO: Debra Messing and Company Get Ready to Bring BIRTHDAY CANDLES to Broadway
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).

Photos: The Company of BIRTHDAY CANDLES Meets the Press
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.

Photo Coverage: Meet the Cast of BIRTHDAY CANDLES on Broadway!
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.'

Breaking: Andre Braugher, Enrico Colantoni and More Join Debra Messing in BIRTHDAY CANDLES on Broadway
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

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
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

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