October 10, 11*, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25 @ 7:30pm

October 12, 19**, 26  @ 2pm

*denotes PAY-WHAT-YOU-WISH performance

**denotes scheduled U/S performance

†denotes talk-back performance 

†† denotes captioned performance

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Directed by: Adi Cabral

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Ernestine Ashworth 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, an infinity of dreams, and one cake baked over a century. This poignant and funny play takes its audience through the highlights, heartbreaks and extraordinary moments that make up one woman’s ordinary life.

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CAST

​Emilie Mardock as ERNESTINE

Valerie Dowdle as ALICE/MADELINE/ERNIE

Eric Boudreau as KENNETH

Tariq Malik as MATT/WILLIAM

Hilal Adem as BILLY/JOHN

Lily Perez as JOAN/ALEX/BETH

Tully Rosa as JOAN/ALEX/BETH UNDERSTUDY

Bradford Ka'ai'ai as MATT/WILLIAM UNDERSTUDY

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CREW

Asst. Direction: Michael Frazel

Stage Manager: Emma Greene

Asst. Stage Manager: Angela Norton

Scenic, Lighting, Prop, & Sound Designer: Chad Sweet

Accent & Dialect Coach: Rosie Brownlow-Calkin

Intimacy Director: Thomas Rao

Costume Design: Suzi Harvey

Hair & Make-Up Design: Morgan Nott

Composer: Aren Long

Dramaturg: Luis Galvez

 

Why "Birthday Candles"- a statement from the Artistic Leadership Committee

 

"This show was chosen because it’s a profoundly moving, poetic celebration of the passage of time, the beauty in everyday rituals, and the universal journey of a life fully lived. This play invites audiences to reflect on their own milestones, relationships, and choices—reminding us that even the smallest moments can carry the deepest meaning. In our 91st season, we wanted a piece that honors the fleeting, precious nature of time and the enduring connections that give it shape. Plus, a show that reflects on 90 years in 90 minutes seems like the perfect fit for RLT's 90th birthday, which takes place on October 18, 2025."

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“Birthday Candles” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com