On March 7th, 2026, The Curious Theater opened its doors to a new production called Birthday Candles, written by Noah Haidle and directed by Christy Montour-Larson. Originally produced on Broadway in 2022 by Roundabout Theatre Company, the production has been brought to Denver, Colorado, by the Curious Theatre Company.
A macabre yet comical commentary on aging, mortality, and the human condition, Birthday Candles follows a woman named Ernestine Ashworth (Gabriella Cavallero) throughout her life. It’s a story that explores the ups and downs of life and the existential crises that accompany a well-lived life.
The audience’s window into Ernestine’s life is opened only on her birthdays, year after year, decade after decade. In her formative years, Ashworth yearns for a purpose, her zest to be both inspirational and original. A life which declares that “I am a rebel against the universe. I will wage war with the everyday. I will surprise God,” says Ashworth in her opening scene.
As her birthdays progress, Ashworth plays the role of devoted housewife and mother — a mold she aspired not to fit into. Her family is one that changes and evolves over time, and the actors play multiple family members at different points in Ashworth’s long life, including everyone but her and her long-term admirer, Kenneth (Brian Landis Folkins).
Of course, you can’t have birthday candles without a birthday cake, which Ashworth makes every year with a recipe handed down through generations. The most remarkable thing about the cake is that the cast made it fresh every show. “The act of baking the cake each night became more than just a theatrical device — it grounded the play in something immediate and sensory,” said Montour-Larson. “The smell, the process, and the repetition all reinforce the play’s meditation on time and the small, often overlooked rituals that make up a life.”
Another character who stayed with Ashworth for her whole life was the goldfish Atman, whose name reflects a core Hindu concept of the true nature of a person’s spirit, and who was given to Ashworth by Kenneth. Atman was played by Cosmo and Goose, who, after a rousing acting career, settled into retired life under the care of one of the film’s staff. The fish, which had many incarnations over Ashworth’s life, was a critical aspect of the show from the very beginning to the final scene.
While Ashworth is the main character, the perpetually reincarnating goldfish is the star of the show. Symbolic of the play’s central theme, Atman swims about in his fishbowl upon the kitchen table. He is present for every inside joke, every secret, every character’s lowest moments. Over the years, he watches Ashworth and her family trudge through life’s trials and tribulations as each character tries to sort themselves out.
Even the building itself plays into the play’s timeless themes. Curious Theater is housed in a refurbished church, and its large stone walls and vaulted ceilings create a unique setting for a play about cosmic energies. “There’s something about the age and history of the building that resonates with the play’s exploration of time, ritual, and the passage of a life — it ended up feeling like a meaningful alignment, even if it wasn’t the initial reason for selecting the piece,” said Montour-Larson.
The play is a fantastic representation of the drama of day-to-day life. The story feeds from its drama-filled cast with ravenous efficiency. Every moment of the play pulls audiences into Ashworth’s story, and by the end, you are left with a profound mix of teary-eyed heartbreak and contentment, which ultimately is what Ashworth felt herself. “There’s also something special about how much of this production is happening in real time — the baking, the aging, the transitions — it’s a reminder that theatre is a live, shared experience that can’t be replicated exactly the same way twice,” said Montour-Larson.
