Wheaton Drama Announces the Cast of Birthday Candles
Performances: January 23 – February 8, 2026
Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 PM • Sundays at 2:00 PM
Wheaton Drama is pleased to announce the cast for its upcoming production of Birthday Candles by Noah Haidle, directed by Marge Uhlarik-Boller, with Assistant Director MaryBeth deBolt and Production Manager Randall W. Knott.
A heartfelt thank-you goes out to the many talented performers who auditioned. The production team deeply appreciated the time, energy, and artistry that each auditioner brought to the room. Special thanks as well to Mindy Kaplan and Ben Slabik for serving as audition readers, and to Keith deBolt for graciously overseeing the lobby on Monday evening.
Director Marge Uhlarik-Boller is delighted to announce the cast:
- Lisa Schmela as Ernestine
- Ken Kaden as Kenneth
- George Bozonelos as Matt
- Colleen Powell as Alice / Madeline / Ernie
- Anthony Berg as Billy / John
- Ellen Daschler as Joan / Alex / Beth
About Birthday Candles
A poetic, time-bending meditation on the meaning of a life, Birthday Candles follows Ernestine Ashworth from her 17th birthday to her 107th—each scene unfolding on the same day, year after year. As Ernestine bakes the same birthday cake through the decades, audiences witness her joys, regrets, loves, losses, and the small, ordinary moments that ultimately give life its extraordinary shape. Haidle’s play is funny, moving, and profoundly human—a celebration of time itself and the people who mark it with us.
We look forward to welcoming audiences when Birthday Candles opens on January 23rd. Join us for this beautiful and thought-provoking journey through a century of one woman’s life.
