HANDLE WITH CARE to Conclude Off-Broadway Run 3/9; Talkbacks Set for Final Month of Performances

The hit romantic comedy Handle With Care, a Critics' Pick from the New York Times, which calls it "A Hilarious and Heartwarming Romantic Comedy" that "exudes gobs of comic energy and insight", will conclude its run at the Westside Theatre March 9, 2014, two weeks after its originally announced end date. The play, by Emmy Award nominee Jason Odell Williams is directed by Karen Carpenter ("Love, Loss and What I Wore"), will have played 112 performances including 15 previews.

The play, which already had numerous regional productions before its Off-Broadway premiere, is in consideration at over 60 theatres internationally, including upcoming productions this year in Los Angeles and Canada. Producers Charlotte Cohn and Douglas Denoff said, "We always knew that "Handle With Care" was a regional darling, and we are very gratified that New York audiences have also embraced the show with love. We look forward to its continued success in theatres around the world."

Handle With Care is being presented by Bandwagon Productions & Douglas Denoff and Joe Sirola, Sara Crown Star, Neil Gooding Productions, Judith Loseff Lavin, Waverly Productions, Judith D. Rubin and, in association with Dasha Theatricals and Laurel International Holdings & Neal Rubinstein. The Creative team includes: David Arsenault (Set Design), Cory Pattak (Lighting Design), Martin T. Lopez (Costume Design), Jill BC DuBoff (Sound Design), Wojcik | Seay (Casting) and Brierpatch Productions (General Management).

Handle With Care's final four weeks will CELEBRATE ROMANCE with celebrity talkbacks after each Tuesday performance.

Four Romantic Duos Will Wax Poetic On Their Life And Love

February 11 - Aleque Reid ("Domesticated") & Heath Calvert ("Nobody Loves You")

February 18 - Shelly Burch ("Nine" On Broadway And "One Life To Live") &

Martin Charnin (Creator And Lyricist Of "Annie")

February 25 - Elizabeth Davis (Tony Nominee "Once") & Richard Jordan (TV Director)

March 4 - Charlotte Cohn ("Baz Luhrmann's La Boheme" and the star of "Handle With Care") & Jason Odell Williams (Emmy-nominated writer/producer of "Brain Games", and Author Of "Handle With Care")

All ticket holders are welcome to stay for the talkback after the performance. Talkbacks will run 20-30 minutes

Aleque Reid and Heath Calvert fell in love doing the show "Nobody Loves You" at Second Stage. Heath was immediately attracted by Aleque's sense of humor and ability to read minds. Aleque was drawn to his compassion, mischief, & humor. Engaged in August, they've married three times, tri-coastally.

Shelly Burch and Martin Charnin hadn't seen each other in 23 years, before they were reunited, 10 years ago, and were married---- Validating a quote that dates back to about 10 b.c. --- ....."better late than never!"

Elizabeth Davis is a Tony Award nominated actor (Once), violinist, writer and joyfully, the wife to the man of her dreams. Richard Jordan is a freelance television director, tour manager and bass player. Most importantly, he's a husband to the most incredible woman in the world. "We met when we were 18 years old, our first week of college. We found each other again in NYC years later and our beloved friendship grew into a gorgeous love for which we will be forever thankful."

Charlotte Cohn and Jason Odell Williams met as first-year grad students in NYC at The Actors Studio Drama School where less than 30 seconds after meeting Jason, Charlotte told him his relationship with his current girlfriend wouldn't last. She was right. Cohn and Williams were married a month after graduation, and six years later Williams decided to write a play - THIS play, Handle With Care - for his wife to star in. Jason says the best thing about grad school was meeting his wife. She agrees.

* Anita Gates, New York Times

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.handlewithcaretheplay.com, TeleCharge.com or call 212-239-6200

Photo Credit: Douglas Denoff