NINETY YEARS IN NINETY MINUTES

Playwright Noah Haidel compresses 90 years of story into his 90-minute one-act comedy-drama Birthday Candles at North Coast Rep. However, that’s sufficient time to portray Ernestine Ashworth’s five-generation journey through her life in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Matthew Grondin, Emelie O'Hara, Margot White

Specifically, we observe Ernestine spending much of her stage life in her household kitchen, the play’s only set, preparing her annual birthday cake. By the end of the play, Ernestine has lived more than 100 years, though physically she hasn’t changed on the stage since we saw her in the opening scene.

Margot White, Martin Kildare

In addition to Ernestine, Haidel includes 10 supporting characters skillfully played by Matthew Grondin, Katie Karet. Martin Kildare, Emelie O’Hara, and James Newcomb, who is perhaps the first among equals as the lovable friend who pursues Christine in marriage for generations. Collectively, the entire cast explores an extensive list of topics that appear as the scenes pass–like aging, death, friendship, love, marriage, parenting, family, and childhood. Some of the topics are treated seriously, others with humor.

Margot White, Katie Karel

The physical production fits neatly into the Rep’s intimate playing space. Marty Burnett‘s design (invaluably assisted by Michael Wogulis‘s prop design) is a delightfully cluttered domestic kitchen that includes a working stove for the birthday cake that smelled delicious. Regrettably, no free samples were available to spectators. Danita Lee designed costumes, and Ian Scot is the lighting designer. Matthew Novotny is the sound designer.

Martin Kildare, Margot White

Haidle frequently offers some snippet of profundity about life that seemed a little arch. But many verbal bits had the audience chuckling. And a few of the longer scenes, especially Ernestine’s anger at her husband’s infidelity, have some real bite.

James Newcomb, Margot White

A cautionary note. Some viewers may have problems adjusting to the first 20 minutes or so of the show. Some of the numerous scene changes zip by in only a few seconds, and the audience may have problems locating where they are in the narrative. Ernestine especially, is unchanged physically until the last moments of the show. But after the first few minutes, I didn’t have any problems adjusting.

Emelie O'Hara, Margot White

While Birthday Candles may stumble in its early transitions, the production ultimately finds its rhythm, landing moments of humor, heartbreak, and gentle wisdom with grace. Like the birthday cake Ernestine bakes each year, the play layers joy, sorrow, and memory into something sweetly resonant. The playbill states that the show is presented “now and in the past,” suggesting Haidle may be taking us into sentimental Our Town territory. By the final scene, it’s clear the audience has been taken on a quietly affecting journey—one where the simple act of baking becomes a metaphor for the life we shape, year after year.

photos by Aaron Rumley

Birthday Candles
North Coast Repertory Theatre
987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive in Solana Beach
Wed & Thurs at 7; Fri at 8; Sat at 2 & 8; Sun at 2 & 7
ends on June 29, 2025
for tickets ($57-$79), call 858.481-1055 or visit North Coast Rep