THE BASICS: BIRTHDAY CANDLES, a play by Noah Haidle, presented by the Chautauqua Theater Company (CTC), in the Bratton Theater. Performance Dates Tue – Sun through July 21 all days at 2:30 except for Wednesday 7/17 at 4:00. For details, visit tickets.chq.org/landing.html
NOTE: BIRTHDAY CANDLES may not be suitable for youth under 8.
RUNTIME: 90 minutes without intermission
THUMBNAIL SKETCH: On her 17th birthday, emo girl with a flair for the dramatic (she’s going to be “Queen Lear” in her high school production), Ernestine Ashworth declares in quick succession that her life is over (or at least cosmically insignificant) and also that she is “going to surprise God.” Over the decades, where on each birthday, she bakes the same butter cake that her mother used to make; we come to really like Ernestine, who gets married and has children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
We drop in on her 18th birthday, 41st, 70th, and, poignant, but never sappy, her 101st. All the action takes place in her kitchen (with a real working oven) and there are relatable moments for everyone in the audience. Perhaps I’m biased, but I would say that the more life you have lived, the more you will enjoy this play as you get to exercise your empathy muscles. It’s like “chair yoga” for the soul.
THE PLAYERS, THE PLAY, AND THE PRODUCTION: Every once in a while, I get to see a play during which I start thinking of all the people I wish were there with me because it’s so good. And right now, that play is BIRTHDAY CANDLES in the beautiful, air-conditioned Bratton Theater on the grounds of the Chautauqua Institution. It has been shepherded by two women instrumental in the CTC over the past several years, former Managing Director Sara Clare Corporandy and former Artistic Director Vivienne Benesch. Originally developed as a New Play Workshop during the CTC’s 2017 season (remember that’s three years before COVID-19) and then performed at regional theaters around the country, including Roundabout Theater, BIRTHDAY CANDLES is a well-crafted piece that delivers everything you want in a theater experience.
It makes you laugh and cry; you care about the characters on stage so much. You identify with them; you get mad at them, and you root for them to succeed. And except for the central character, Ernestine (played by visiting artist Ceci Fernández), and Kenneth, the boy who’s had a crush on her since age 7 (played by visiting artist Alex Weisman), all the other ten characters are played by just four actors, conservatory students (you won’t be able to tell that) Almara Leonard, Martin K. Lewis, Kamal Sehrawy, and Kay Benson. Those other actors play her husband and then her children, their spouses, and later grandchildren, and even the people who eventually buy her house.
The dramatic arc of the play is simple. We follow Ernestine’s life from age 17 to 101 as multiple throughlines tie everything together.
One throughline is the baking of the birthday cakes (and I understand that at every performance, a real butter cake is made in front of our eyes). While the entire play takes place in a real working kitchen with ordinary people, and there are some scenes of gritty realism, this is not a “kitchen sink drama.” The overall tone is loving and funny, tinged with the mystery of the cosmos.
But we were talking about throughlines, and that brings us to the role of Kenneth, the boy who wanted to take Ernestine to the prom (she emphatically said “no”) and who is charmingly persistent in his affection. Contrasted with Kenneth’s tenacity is Kenneth’s gift to Ernestine, a goldfish, a species which is said to have only a 3-second memory, so that, for the fish, everything is constantly new. And isn’t that life? Endurance contrasted with transience or, as the saying goes “The only constant in life is change.”
And that leads to, well, we might call it a “through line” or a “running gag” in that the goldfish is given the name Atman, which, in Hinduism, is the eternal, unchanging essence of an individual; the true self beyond the ego and material existence. But while one, very much alive, goldfish is on stage for the whole play, in the story, over the years, there are many Atmans because the lifespan of a fish, its “material existence,” is rather short. Some last a few months…. Others not much longer.
I think that BIRTHDAY CANDLES will stay with you for more than a few months. It is, in so many ways, the perfect play to open CTC’s mainstage season and to celebrate Chautauqua Institution’s 150th birthday!
Lead image: BIRTHDAY CANDLES by Noah Haidles at Chautauqua Theater Company with guest artist Ceci Fernandez and a talented cast | Photo credit Dave Munch
HERD OF BUFFALO RATING SYSTEM
FIVE BUFFALO: Universal Appeal! This production is pure theatrical magic – a crowd-pleaser. No prior theatre experience is necessary. Whether it’s a laugh-out-loud comedy or a heartwarming drama, this show offers an unforgettable shared experience. You’ll laugh, be touched, or amazed (depending on the genre). Grab your tickets before they disappear!
FOUR BUFFALO: Highly Recommended! This production delivers high-quality entertainment. It may have a strong script and stellar performances. While it might not be for everyone, theatre fans and those interested in the style, themes, or genre are sure to be delighted. Gather your friends or grab a date – you won’t be disappointed you went!
THREE BUFFALO: A Solid Night Out! This solid production and enjoyable evening at the theater. It’s a strong choice for a night out. Roam over and check it out if you can!
TWO BUFFALO: Intriguing! This production may not appeal to all tastes. However, if you’re feeling adventurous and want to blaze your own theatrical trail, this production offers a unique experience. While it may have some minor imperfections, if the genre, themes, and style align with your interests you should defintely attend!
ONE BUFFALO: If you love Theatre…Although it won’t resonate with everyone, it offers a challenging and stimulating experience. Traditional theatergoers might find it difficult to follow. While it will undoubtedly spark conversation, consider the genre, themes, and style before attending.