Overview
Synopsis
For ten Texans who are down on their luck, the chance at a new life is only fifty-some hours and a hardbody truck away. Based on the real-life “Hands on a Hard Body Contest,” chronicled in the 1997 documentary Hands on a Hardbody, this all-American musical tells the story of a small-town Texas endurance contest, where the contestant who keeps their hands on a truck the longest, gets to keep the truck. With tuneful country-rock melodies and soulful lyrics by Phish’s Amanda Green and Trey Anastasio, Hands on a Hardbody explores a diverse cross-section of a small-town Texas community and the trials they’ll endure for a chance to win a Nissan hardbody truck. From Jesus-loving Norma Valverde and injured and out-of-work J.D. to boastful former winner Benny and hopeful dreamer Kelli, each character has their own vision for the realization of their American Dream -- and they’ll keep their hands on it as long as they can.
Show Information
- Book
- Doug Wright
- Music
- Trey Anastasio , Amanda Green
- Lyrics
- Amanda Green
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2013
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
- Settings
- Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- 1990s, a nissan dealership in longview, texas
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Rock Combo
- Dancing
- Musical Staging
- Licensor
- Samuel French
- Ideal For
- ensemble cast, young characters, older characters, diverse cast, community theatre, regional theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Young Adult, Adult Characters, Large Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Ensemble |
Male |
Spoken |
Songs
Act One
- Human Drama Kind of Thing - Company
- If I Had This Truck - Kelli, Janis, Greg, Benny, Heather, Norma, JD, Don, Chris, Jesus, & Ronald
- If She Don't Sleep - Janis, Frank, & Don
- My Problem Right There - Ronald, Kelli, Heather, Norma, & Benny
- Alone With Me - JD & Virginia
- Burn That Bridge - Company
- I'm Gone - Kelli and Greg
- Joy of the Lord - Norma & Company
- Stronger - Chris & Company
- Hunt with the Big Dogs - Kelli, Janis, Benny, Greg, Jesus, Heather, Norma, JD, & Don
Act Two
- Hands on a Hardbody - Mike & Frank
- Born in Laredo - Company
- Alone With Me (Reprise) - JD
- It's a Fix - Janis, Frank, & Don
- Used to Be - Kelli, Benny, Greg, Jesus, Heather, Norma & JD
- It's a Fix (Reprise) - Heather
- God Answered My Prayers - Company
- Joy of the Lord (Reprise) - Chris, Ronald & Norma
- Keep Your Hands on It - Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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