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ROBIN’S SHOW REVIEW & DISCOUNT: HANDS ON A HARDBODY


For ten hard-luck Texans, a new lease on life is so close they can touch it. Under a scorching sun for days on end, armed with nothing but hope, humor and ambition, the fight to keep at least one hand on a brand-new truck in order to win it. Only one winner can drive away with the American Dream.

Inspired by true events, this new musical features a book by DOUG WRIGHT (Pulitzer Prize winner, I Am My Own Wife), lyrics by AMANDA GREEN (Bring It On: The Musical), and music by Trey Anastasio (Phish) and Amanda Green. Directed by Neil Pepe (Speed-The-Plow) with musical staging by SERGIO TRUJILLO (Jersey Boys, Memphis), it is based on the 1997 documentary of the same name by S.R. Bindler, produced by KEVIN MORRIS and Bindler.

 The Broadway production features the full cast from the La Jolla Playhouse engagement: Keith Carradine (Tony Award® nominee, The Will Rogers Follies), Allison Case (Hair), Hunter Foster (Tony Award® nominee, Little Shop of Horrors), Jay Armstrong Johnson (Catch Me If You Can), David Larsen (American Idiot), Jacob Ming-Trent (Shrek The Musical), Kathleen Elizabeth Monteleone (Tales of the City), Mary Gordon Murray (Into The Woods), Jim Newman (Curtains), Connie Ray (Next Fall), Jon Rua (In The Heights), Keala Settle (Priscilla Queen of the Desert), Dale Soules (Hair), Scott Wakefield (Ring of Fire), and William Youmans (Wicked).

Think Chorus Line meets an automotive dealership….and there you have the essence of this musical.   One by one, each of the contestants share  their backstory coupled with their aspirations to get behind the wheel of the glossy crimson truck and all that it represents to them.  Unlike Chorus Line, which featured characters we truly rooted for, Hardbody lacks the depth of emotional that makes us want to uproariously stand up and cheer. We find ourselves anxoiusly awaiting the winner, and wishing we’d find out all the sooner.  That said, there are some standout performances….most notably by Hunter Foster and  Keala Settle.  Ms. Settle is a total powerhouse of a performer who added some comic levity as well.  Foster delivers a fullout emotional portrait of his cocky character, a one time contest winner.  There are some poingnant numbers, and one particularly rousing  and well-choreographed song that featured drumming  and spinning on the hardbody.

Overall, it’s an entertaining show…and the closing song is a total feel good tune “Keep Your Hands on It,” with inspiring lyrics you may find yourself repeating.

HANDS ON A HARDBODY features an award-winning design team including scenic design by Tony Award® winner Christine Jones (American Idiot), costume design by Tony Award® winner Susan Hilferty (Wicked), lighting design by Tony Award® winner Kevin Adams (Spring Awakening), sound design by Tony Award® winner Steve Canyon Kennedy (Jersey Boys), orchestrations by Trey Anastasio and Don Hart, and vocal arrangements/musical direction by Carmel Dean (American Idiot).

The La Jolla Playhouse production of HANDS ON A HARDBODY is produced on Broadway by Broadway Across America – Beth Williams, Barbara Whitman/Latitude Link, Dede Harris/Sharon Karmazin, Howard & Janet Kagan, and John & Claire Caudwell, Rough Edged Souls, Joyce Primm Schweickert, Paula Black/Bruce Long, and Off The Aisle Productions/Freitag-Mishkin.

Visit:www.handsonahardbody.com 

DISCOUNT OFER:

SAVE OVER 40%!

 TELEPHONE: Call 877-250-2929 and mention code FAN1HH.

ONLINE: Visit Ticketmaster.com (http://www.ticketmaster.com/HANDS-ON-A-HARDBODY-tickets/artist/1806291?tm_link=seo_bc_name) and enter code MAIL1HH.

Restrictions: Valid for performances through 4/6/13. Blackout dates may apply. All prices include a $2 facility fee. Limit 8 tickets per order. Offer subject to availability and prior sales. ALL SALES FINAL. No refunds or exchanges. Telephone and Internet orders are subject to standard service fees. Offer may be revoked or modified at any time without notice.

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