"Hands on a Hardbody," a new musical written by Pulitzer Prize winner Doug Wright with music by Phish frontman Trey Anastasio and Amanda Green, is heading to Broadway.
Based on true events, the musical revolves around 10 down-on-their-luck Texans in a competition to win a new truck — if they can outlast the others by keeping at least one hand on the vehicle.
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Wright, who won the 2004 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for "I Am My Own Wife," based the show on the 1997 documentary by S.R. Bindler and Kevin Morris. Neil Pepe, artistic director of Atlantic Theatre, is directing, and dancer Benjamin Millepied ("Black Swan") handled the musical staging.
"Hands on a Hardbody" had its world premiere at the La Jolla Playhouse, starring Hunter Foster and Keith Carradine; it is scheduled to close on June 17. No date for the Broadway production has been set, but it is expected to open during the 2012-2013 season. The cast for the Broadway production has not been announced.
Broadway Across America (John Gore, Thomas B. McGrath, Beth Williams), Rich Entertainment Group (Bob and Mindy Rich), Barbara Whitman, Latitude Link, Dede Harris, Sharon Karmazin and Howard and Janet Kagan are producing.