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Hands on a Hardbody Reviews
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A new Chorus Line Review by: Sally, Apr 13, 2013 |
Saw this last night - had great seats in this rather small theatre and I thoroughly enjoyed the show. It reminded me of A Chorus Line - so if you loved that show, you will love this one!!. Characters were unique - songs were not memorable, but voices were and story line was true and interesting. See the show - it is an enjoyable evening!!
Didn't know that Keith Carradine could sing, but he was good and he looked great!! |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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Recommended for:
Seniors, Tourists, Adults
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| 2 |
Hurry, Hurry, Hands on a Hardbody, you will love it! Review by: Diract66, Apr 11, 2013 |
| This is a wonderful, inventive show. Although there is very little scenery, except for a pick up truck, it is used in so many ways that it becomes a character in itself. The director, Neil Pepe, and choreographer,Sergio Trujillo, are to be commended on the creativity of their production and their use of the truck,hardbody,in the songs and staging. I really liked the catchy tunes in this show and the tenderness of some of the songs. This is ... read more truly an ensemble show, but there are some high points that should be mentioned, especially Keala Settle and the song 'Joy of the Lord'. Great song, great use of the truck, and who cast picks up the beat. In fact, the whole audience came alive with the actors. Keith Carradine still has that smooth voice in two romantic songs. Every one of the characters have a song and a story to tell. Who will be the last one standing? See this show soon, the best imagined show of the season. I am sorry to see it close. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Alone
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Recommended for:
The Entire Family, Seniors, Adults
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| 3 |
Hands Together for Hands on a Hardbody! Review by: Ginny, Apr 7, 2013 |
What a fantastic show! The music was wonderful, the acting superb. Keith Carradine was amazing. What a talented cast!
I have seen a lot of Broadway, but this show really impressed me with its originality! LOVED it! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Seniors, Tourists
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| 4 |
I've seen better, but I've seen a lot worse. Review by: DoctorJoeE, Mar 31, 2013 |
In the bathroom line at intermission, the man in front of me (a complete stranger) suddenly turns around. “You know,” he says, “I’ve been going to the theatre for 20 years, and this is some of the worst music I’ve ever heard.” While this gentleman has clearly never been to a Phish concert, I could understand his remark: Trey Anastasio’s bluesy, country-rock score is not the usual music of Broadway. And with an infinity of plot settings to ... read more choose from, one has to wonder why the creative team settled on a silly Texas endurance contest reminiscent of the infamous Depression era dance marathons; and then entrusted the scoring responsibilities to a guy who has spent his whole career improvising guitar solos in a jam band – especially when that band is…Phish!
All the same, I can’t agree with the man; I’ve been a theatre-goer a lot longer than 20 years – and as Princess Kosmonopolis famously said in "Sweet Bird of Youth", “I’ve seen better…but God knows I’ve seen worse.” What we have here is a country western version of "A Chorus Line": ten desperate people, each with a compelling story, all but one doomed to failure. And while the music -- except for an amazing a cappella gospel number late in the first act -- is ordinary (you won’t leave humming any tunes), Doug Wright worked well with the strange plot situation he was given and created some compelling material. I won’t spoil the ending, of course, but I can tell you that Wright didn’t fall into any of the usual cliché traps; and there is a sufficiently uplifting resolution to keep the tourists happy for a few months, at least. This is certainly no "Once" -- but it’s no "Moose Murders" either. Worth your time, in my humble opinion.
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
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| 5 |
Don't miss this... Review by: NYJAKE, Mar 30, 2013 |
| Don't miss this creative, entertaining show which embodies all that can be done on the stage and done well -- music, story, performance. No matter where you are from or how you live, these characters will touch you and leave you thinking about them long after the lights fo down. Just wish there were more like this on stage. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Anyone
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| 6 |
Seen it twice and love it! Review by: Globo, Mar 28, 2013 |
| Loved it. Saw it in La Jolla in May of 2012 at the Playhouse.. then saw it again in NYC. Fantastic ... compelling characters that evolve. Authentic. Good songs that tell their stories. I was never bored and would see it again. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Business Assoc., Seniors
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| 7 |
Review by: brooklynlady, Mar 24, 2013 |
A Nice Surprise
Enjoyed this show. Had second row seats. Very lively. Keeps your interest as each cast members sings out their story. Play is based on a documentary about actual events and people in Texas. It was a fun evening and very entertaining. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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| 8 |
Best musical since Next to Normal Review by: delta, Mar 10, 2013 |
| This was really good. A quintessentially American story populated by a diverse and genuine set of Americans, set to an eclectic score with clever and, often times, poignant lyrics. Very much of the moment--confronts modern issues of faith, economic uncertainty, growing old and growing up and growing apart, patriotism, immigration, and military service--without devolving into cliche or caricature. The show is not without its flaws. ... read more The minimal set didn't really work for me--nothing evocative of the East Texas/small-town-turned-strip mall terrain that I knew from my time in Texas--the opening of the second act falls a bit flat, and a few of the accents were hit or miss. This is a true ensemble piece, from a cast that looks like real people, rather than just chiseled and gorgeous gym bunnies, with numerous standout performances both sung and spoken. Best part to me was that although several of the characters are archetypes, they are lovingly and reverentially portrayed, and have real depth and dimension. Totally worth seeing. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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A Truck, A Truck, My Kingdom For a Truck Review by: Lovable Lee, Mar 8, 2013 |
| Who would have ever thought that a contest to win a truck would bring out the best in people. This is a show not to be missed. All of the performances are superior and the truck should be listed along with the other cast members. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 10 |
Hardbody revs up for a Broadway run Review by: rskblueyes, Mar 4, 2013 |
When I heard of this shows plot, I was somewhat skeptical, would I enjoy this show?
The premise seems odd, but it worked pretty well. With economic times being rough a group of everday joes and jills compete to win a truck in an endurnace contest.
The cast was marvelous, each character getting at least one solo that explains there backstory. This is defenitely an ensemble piece, but there are a few standouts.
The music had a pastiche ... read more of mumbers, but by the end of the evening, sounded pretty similar.
The staging of this show was a challenging task as due to the plot there is not much one can do when holding 2 hands on a truck. The choreographer tried to solve tis by spinning the truck and moving it up and down throughout the show, I am already picturing Forbidden parodying this with a spinning toy truck.
The book is really well done and it makes each character relatable.
Im curious on how the public and critics will view this unusual show. I did enjoy the show with some reservations. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
Alone
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Business Assoc., Seniors
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Designed to improve your performance! Review by: GPS , Mar 3, 2013 |
| Hands-down with this years broadway seasons off to a slow start things are beginging to pick up speed and this Hands on a Hardboy will be in the competition. Will it beable to stand the longest to win it? Norma Valverde (KEALA SETTLE)-has a chance if the Tony's are giving away the truck this year she is going to win it!(haha hhaahaha) The only tune up to improve this performance is a replacement part for Janis Curtis (DALE SOULES)- ... read more It's a Fix I would like to see!- Act one idles until the laugher begins and with a honk of the horn and a spin of the wheels and a bang of the hoodwe get in the fast lane- God Answered My Prayers(Hunter Foster)walks in to the headlights with the message to keep your hands on it. - it's a game of twister but pull over and get a ticket. It a longview to the end - Good Luck! |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
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Recommended for:
Tourists, Adults, Anyone
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| 12 |
Good Play Review by: Carol, Feb 28, 2013 |
Like Chorus Line or Spelling Bee, the audience gets to know each of the characters vying for a new truck through the premise of a contest in Hands on a Hardbody. The cast, headed by Keith Carradine and Hunter Foster as the name stars, have strong performances by all the other actors, especially the Hawaiian Keala Settle. The musical numbers are largely unmemorable except for the very touching “Keep Your Hands on It.” Many shows lately have ... read more adopted the gospel-like numbers, and this play is no exception, so those people in church choirs and the lovers of gospel music will enjoy “Joy of the Lord” and “God Answered my Prayers.”
The simple plot of keeping one hand on a truck until the last person is left harks back to the dance marathons depicted in the 1969 film They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? The contest is grueling, and we watch as the contestants stand through 107-degree heat, rain, insects, and darkness with only 15-minute breaks over 91 hours.
Ronald McCowan, played by Jacob Ming-Trent, is the first to succumb and leaves the stage for much of the play. However, he is brought back to cheer on the others, especially Norma Valverde. The play has a number of mixed messages for viewers: the value of love and relationships, faith, and ethnic profiling. Despite its didactic messages, the play works, and it’s a pleasant evening of theatre.
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Tourists, Adults
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| 13 |
Hardbody drives something fresh and exciting right to Broadway Review by: MusicalPhan12, Feb 24, 2013 |
Wow!!
Gave this a shot last night at the first preview and I have to say, I was blown away, even after going in rather skeptical. I mean, how can they make a full musical out of a contest where 10 people keep their hands on a truck for a shot at driving away with it?
The cast is superb. Hunter Foster is giving his best performance since Urinetown. Keith Carradine is always a joy to watch on stage. The knock-out performance, and ... read more perhaps soon-to-be Tony Winner, Keala Settle has an act 1 number worth the price of my ticket alone.
The music is eclectic and catchy, the script is one of the best for a new musical I've heard in some time, and it kept me and my siblings invested until the final hand came off that shiny truck (which really became it's own character oddly enough, and boy can it dance!)
An original, fresh, unique musical with something to say. Do yourself a favor and see this, I cant wait to go back. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Family
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, The Entire Family, Business Assoc.
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| * Review is an opinion of a BroadwayBox user and not that of BroadwayBox.com and BroadwayBox, Inc. |
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