An exploration of love, fate, and religion, "Handle With Care" is an uplifting tale that proves love can overcome any barrier... even one of language. "Handle With Care," now playing at the Colony Theatre, separates itself from the ever-increasing collection of sentimental, uplifting Christmas stories.

Through playwright Jason Odell Williams' focus on comedy and director Karen Carpenter's attention to high energy acting, "Handle With Care" is a wonderful piece of theater. Williams breaks up the play’s more sensitive moments with humor, often expressed through Terrence and his series of comedic mishaps.

When Ayelet’s (Charlotte Cohn) grandmother, Edna (Marcia Rodd), suddenly dies while on their vacation in America, Ayelet finds herself alone on Christmas Eve. Left to fend for herself in a country where she can barely speak the language, her only company consists of DHX deliveryman Terrence (Jeff Malow) and his not-so-religious Jewish friend Josh (Tyler Pierce). When Terrence loses Ayelet’s package, he calls in his buddy Josh, whose Hebrew is greatly lacking, to serve as a translator.  While they wait for the reappearance of the package, Ayelet and Josh begin to share intimate stories with each other. Communicating by using a mix of broken English, Hebrew, and a series of hand gestures, they begin to form a connection.  The audience watches as Ayelet and Josh, who are both mourning the loss of a loved one, come to the realization that perhaps their meeting was not merely chance, but fate at work. 

Effective collaboration between Carpenter’s direction and the actors’ choices evidence themselves through the many witty moments that occur in the play. To complement this, the actors maintain high energy to illustrate the exasperation felt over the missing package and the language barrier. The regular movement and romantic chemistry on a small stage keep the scenes alive with action and the audience fully engaged in the story. The characters’ bold choices will inspire audiences everywhere to embrace the opportunities of love.

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The fact that a majority of Ayelet’s lines are in Hebrew serves as a unique transitional tool without detracting from the story’s comprehension. In addition, it gives the outlandish situation an air of authenticity. Language is employed as a way of signaling a shift to the audience—Ayelet and her grandmother’s dialogue in English signifies a scene from the past. This clever structural device keeps the timeline clear and coherent.

The technical aspects of the show create a cozy atmosphere to serve as the backdrop of this heartfelt comedy. The quirky, homey set (designed by David Potts) shows the interior of a quaint motel room, charmingly decorated with a collection of brightly colored, delightfully mismatched furnishings. The audience sees this appealing view through the whole show, with the only change in set occurring as snowflakes gather on dark rooftops and slick sidewalks as time progresses.

The costumes (designed by Dianne K. Graebner) reflect the simplicity of life in Good View, Virginia and the congenial eccentricity brought by the two Jewish travelers. While Josh wears a plain flannel, and Terrence proudly sports his simple DHX uniform, Edna shines in a variety of bold silhouettes of blues and greens, and Ayelet wows in her transformation from loose fitting clothing into a daring and sexy red dress.

"Handle with Care" offers a perfect way to step into the holiday season, complete with a TV blasting "It’s A Wonderful Life" reruns, a life-changing road trip, a raging blizzard, and a healthy dose of holiday spirit. Shalom!

"Handle With Care" is playing through December 14 at the Colony Theatre (555 N 3rd St, Burbank). Tickets are $20-$49. For more information visit www.ColonyTheatre.org

Contact Contributor Rachel Mathieu here and Julia Stier here

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