Though the title seductively insinuates the idea, the play is not a musical about famous body builder Arnold Schwarzenegger or the world's top fitness model Michelle Lewin. The implication is furthest from the truth. Hands on a Hardbody is about 10 ordinary people looking for a break in life and the hardbody is a brand new red pick-up truck. It is now playing out at the James F. Dean Theatre in Summerville.The musical play adaptation by Doug Wright was inspired by a true event lived out in a 1977 documentary by S.R. Bindler with lyrics by Trey Anastasio and Amanda Green. The affair took place in the 1990's at a dealership located in Longview, Texas. Though I disagree with Doug Wright's implication the Darwinian concept of survival of the fittest is a determining truth in life's plan for humans, being fortunate with a high dose of resoluteness have a far greater influence on the path we tread. It was true of the contestants who lived out the self inflicted competition, and the winner was anything but physically, emotionally, and mentally the fittest.
Hands on a Hardbody is an exploration into the lives of a cross section of Texans loaded down with despair and riddled with the human blight of race, class, and income inequality, but at the same time lifted up by the flickering light of hope. To stand by a truck on hot asphalt in 100 degree weather wearing cotton gloves, in my calculations, would require a profound need or something to prove. And as the hours whittle by, it becomes painfully clear each contestant has their own story to tell and a burning need to tell it. Let the contest begin.
As Taryn Wetherington (Cindy Barnes), Rusty Cooler (Mike Ferris), and Daniel Rich (Frank Nugent) one by one strolled out from behind the black curtain to the front of the stage and harmoniously delivered the opening number, I anticipated we were hands down in for a entertaining night, and it was just the beginning.
Musical Director and Choreographer David McLaughlin, as usual, met all expectations. The constantly spinning truck--which would be no simple task to maneuver while singing and dancing--was masterful and the piece "Joy of the Lord" was mind blowing as Alex Shanko (Norma Valverde) accompanied by the rest of the cast joyously sang and drummed out the gospel rhythms on the steel body of the little red truck.
Melanie Morton and Gary Hubbel played the wife and husband team of happy rednecks with kids at home, Janis Curtis and Don Curtis. Melanie, with blackened teeth and a strong redneck drawl, was delightfully humorous as the outspoken Janis who claimed "It's a Fix." She was the contestant with a conscience. Michael Locklair and Dianne Corbin played the other husband and wife team of JD Drew and Virginia Drew. As the recently injured and out of work JD, who didn't like to be coddled, Michael was steady throughout the play and I enjoyed his rendition of "Used to Be" as he teamed up with Alex Shanko and play standout Matthew Walker. Dianne shined with heartfelt, spot-on vocals in "Alone With Me" as Virginia pleaded "I wish I knew what I could do to make myself enough for you. The way that you're enough for me."
Elissa Horrell as the naughty Heather Stovall had the look of Daisy Dukes and moved like J. Lo in "Burn That Bridge." There was a little something going on between her and Mike Ferris, the dealership owner. With fire and passion, Carlos Nieto played Jesus Pena. Insinuated to be an illegal immigrant, he was actually born in Laredo and deeply loved his dog.
Kelli Mangrum and Greg Wilhote are nicely played by Jana Weber and Zach Rettig. These two contestants develop a romantic tie over the span of the contest and when one of them drops out, the other must make a crucial decision. Malcolm Powell plays the contestant who eats too many candy bars, Ronald McCowen. With bluesy vocals, Malcolm soulfully sang "My Problem Right There."Last but not least, two of the plays highly stirring pieces were performed by Jon Quarles as a traumatized war veteran, Chris Alvaro, and Matthew Walker as the antagonistic and disliked Benny Perkins, a man who is haunted by a deep, dark secret involving his son. The two of them filled the theater with high octane emotion in their separate renditions of "Stronger" and "God answered My Prayers."
Director Larry Spinner and Assistant Director Chrissy Eliason have done themselves proud. The passion Larry has poured into this play is evident from beginning to end. The musical is packed with a highly capable crew from set design accented by a complicated light show to costumes and sound with recognition going to Nicole Coke as she tirelessly worked behind the scenes as Stage Manager.
I will give Hands on a Hardbody a rating just shy of five stars due to the occasional annoying crackling mike, but with that being said, sometimes technology can go haywire and end up doing its own thing.
Hands on a Hardbody is a sizzling 100 degrees of pure musical pleasure and thought provoking dialogue. You will be entertained. You will be moved. You will want to put your hands on a ticket and join the contest.
Purchase tickets here
May 24, 25, 30, 31, June 1, 6, 7, and 8, 2019 at 3pm May 26, June 2 and 9, 2019 at 3pm
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