Hands on a Hardbody is a musical based on S.R. Bindler’s documentary film Hands on a Hardbody. The book is by Doug Wright, music by Trey Anastasio and Amanda Green, lyrics by Amanda Green. The documentary was adapted into a musical commissioned by La Jolla Playhouse, La Jolla, California.  In the musical, 10 contestants vie for a “hardbody” truck in Longview, Texas. The last contestant who has his or her hands on the truck wins it. The truck is a Nissan “hardbody” pick up actually on stage! The lives of each contestant, along with the car dealer and a radio announcer are revealed during the “hardbody” contest. The New York Times reviewer wrote that this musical “sings sincerely and with a rough-edged humor of the dusty margins of American life…” In 2013 the musical was nominated for 3 Tony Awards. 

The TOSAC production opens this weekend with shows on April 19th and 20th and 27th at 8 PM and on April 27th and 28th at 2 PM. Tickets are on sale at tosac.com/tickets or by calling the theater for a reservation at 226-0863. The production is rated PG due to the content of adult language.