Hands on a Hardbody Plays the Aurora Theatre
May 7, 2015

Dive deep into the heart of The Lone Star State, where the lives of 10 strangers intertwine as they vie for the chance to win a brand-new Nissan "hardbody" truck in a four-day battle of wills to see who will be left standing! While their individual stories unfold over the course of the competition, they realize that it's not just everything - but rather everyone - that might be a little bigger in Texas. Based on a true story, Hands on a Hardbody makes its regional premiere as Aurora Theatre's 2014-15 Peach State Federal Credit Union Signature Series finale, today, May 7-31, 2015. Who will drive away with the American Dream? Wheel over to Aurora and find out.

"When we have a collection of voices that sound this great, I know the audience is going to be in for a truly special experience," said Ann-Carol Pence Aurora Theatre Associate Producer. "Adding in a soulful, rockabilly score by Trey Anastasio and Amanda Green gives it a lot of musical horsepower. And to be honest, I love a show that reminds us that everyone deserves a chance at the American Dream."

Based on the acclaimed documentary with a libretto by Doug Wright and under the direction of Brian Clowdus, Hands on a Hardbody explores how far a group of small town people will go to win a free pickup truck in a car dealership contest that is intensified by the recession of the mid-2000s. The rules are simple: whoever keeps their hands on the truck the longest drives home its owner. Through sleep deprivation, late-night lunacy and plenty of laughs in between, the dramatic comedy shifts audience members through a rollercoaster of emotion, as hours slowly turn into days and a truck becomes a symbol of much more.

With original score by renowned musician Trey Anastasio of the Grammy-nominated band Phish and under award-winning musical direction by Aurora's Resident Music Director Ann-Carol Pence, Hands on a Hardbody delivers upbeat and moving numbers that drive the production to life. Along with Jen MacQueen's fierce choreography and a first-class team of award-winning designers, this fine-tuned musical is engineered to present unparallel entertainment for all!

Recommended for folks who don't mind an occasional bump in the road, Hands on a Hardbody is presented May 7-31, 2015. A discount weekday matinee will be offered on Wednesday, May 27 at 10 a.m. for $20-$30 per person. Regular show time tickets can be purchased for $30-$50 per person online at tickets.auroratheatre.com or by calling the Box Office at 678-226-6222.