People’s Light audiences have been moved by Birthday Candles, Noah Haidle’s poignant and poetic exploration of time, memory, and the meaning of life. Under the direction of Abbey Adams, the production beautifully weaves humor and heart, following one woman’s journey through decades in a single, breathtaking evening. Adams’ thoughtful approach has shaped a performance that is both intimate and profound. Adams’ took time here to reflect on the creative process, the challenges of staging Haidle’s work, and the emotional impact of this unique production.
[People’s Light, 39 Conestoga Rd, Malvern, PA] April 5- May 4, 2025; peopleslight.org
Debra Danese: What drew you to Birthday Candles, and how did you approach bringing it to life at People’s Light?
Abbey Adams: We had been after this script since it was first produced at Detroit Public Theater six years ago. Covid and a New York production prevented us from producing it sooner. As it turns out, it’s a perfect choice for a 50th Anniversary season.
DD: Were there any particular challenges in directing a play that requires actors to age significantly on stage?
AA: We didn’t spend a lot of time working on the aging process. The actor’s imaginations created changes in energy and that inevitably informed physicality. Costume pieces supported those changes. The bigger challenge has been the emotional mapping over rapid changes in time throughout the play.
DD: Can you share a moment from rehearsals that felt particularly special or surprising?
AA: The cast found so many moments in the play, particularly with regard to birth and death, that resonated with their own experiences. The rehearsal room was full of trust and vulnerability. That’s very much part of what we want to share with an audience—a sense that we’re all on this journey together.
DD: What excites you most about sharing this production with the audience?
AA: So many things. Our time on this earth is brief—embrace the every day joy, pain, and wonder of it all.
Birthday Candles play April 5- May 4, 2025 at People’s Light. [39 Conestoga Rd, Malvern, PA] https://www.peopleslight.org/
The emphasis on emotional mapping and the actors’ personal connections to the material adds depth to the production. I’m eager to experience this poignant exploration of time and memory.