Thanks to strong reviews, Warren Leight's Side Man, a new play about a man's obsession with jazz and the devastation it wreaks on his family life, has extended its Off-Broadway run at the Classic Stage Company space past a previously announced Mar. 29 close to Apr. 12. The show began performances Mar. 3 and opened Mar. 11. No news yet on whether the show will move after its CSC run.

The drama, which has been described by the author as "highly personal and cathartic," takes its title from the nickname given to journeymen musicians who were back-up players for the "star" bandleaders of the era. "Side men" were known to be so desperate for work that they would play with virtually any band that needed them.

Side Man is directed by Michael Mayer and features Edie Falco, Kevin Geer, Michael Mastro, Dan Moran, Robert Sella, Angelica Torn and Frank Wood. The design team includes Neil Patel (sets), Tom Broecker (costumes), Ken Posner (lighting) and Ray Schilke (sound).

Leight's play The Loop was produced Off-Broadway at the Harold Clurman Theatre and starred Calista Flockhart, Austin Pendleton and Felicity Huffman. His book for the Off-Broadway musical Mayor received a Drama Desk nomination.

Side Man is a production of the Weissberger Theatre Group, which previously produced Lee Blessing's Down the Road and Charles Smith's Freefall. Performances are Tue.-Fri. at 8 PM, Sat. at 2 and 8 PM and Sun. at 5 PM through Mar. 29 at the CSC Theatre, 136 E. 13th St. For tickets, $20, call (212) 279-4200.

-- By Rebecca Paller and David Lefkowitz