BWW Flashback: HANDS ON A HARDBODY Leaves Broadway, Drives Into Sunset

HANDS ON A HARDBODY will play its final performance tonight, April 13, 2013, after playing 28 preview and 28 regular performances at Broadway's Brooks Atkinson Theatre (256 West 47th Street). Hands on a Hardbody began previews on Saturday, February 23, 2013 and officially opened on Thursday, March 21, 2013. Below, BroadwayWorld takes you back through HANDS ON A HARDBODY's journey from La Jolla to Broadway!

Inspired by true events and based on the acclaimed 1997 documentary of the same name that was created by S.R. Bindler and produced by Bindler and Kevin Morris, the musical features a book by Doug Wright (Pulitzer Prize winner, I Am My Own Wife), lyrics by Amanda Green (Bring It On: The Musical), music by Trey Anastasio (Phish) and Amanda Green, direction by Neil Pepe (Broadway's Speed-The-Plow), and musical staging by Sergio Trujillo (Memphis, Jersey Boys).

The Broadway production features the full cast from the La Jolla Playhouse engagement: Keith Carradine (Tony Award nominee, The Will Rogers Follies), Allison Case (Hair), Hunter Foster (Tony Award nominee, Little Shop of Horrors), Jay Armstrong Johnson (Catch Me If You Can), David Larsen (American Idiot), Jacob Ming-Trent (Shrek The Musical), Kathleen Elizabeth Monteleone (Tales of the City), Mary GorDon Murray (Into The Woods), Jim Newman (Curtains), Connie Ray (Next Fall), Jon Rua (In The Heights), Keala Settle (Priscilla Queen of the Desert), Dale Soules (Hair), Scott Wakefield (Ring of Fire), and William Youmans (Wicked).

HANDS ON A HARDBODY also boasts an award-winning design team including scenic design by Tony Award winner Christine Jones (American Idiot), costume design by Tony Award winner Susan Hilferty (Wicked), lighting design by Tony Award winner Kevin Adams (Spring Awakening), sound design by Tony Award winner Steve Canyon Kennedy (Jersey Boys), orchestrations by Trey Anastasio and Don Hart, and vocal arrangements/musical direction by Carmel Dean (American Idiot).

The world premiere production of Hands on a Hardbody opened Saturday, May 12 at La Jolla Playhouse and played a limited engagement through Sunday, June 17. Hands on a Hardbody was commissioned by La Jolla Playhouse (Christopher Ashley, Artistic Director & Michael S. Rosenberg, Managing Director). Check out photos from the California production below!

After the news that HANDS ON A HARDBODY would be heading to Broadway's Brooks Atkinson Theatre this spring, the La Jolla Playhouse production put out a song preview by the cast. Watch it below!

The new American musical Hands on a Hardbody began preview performances on Broadway on February 23, 2013. In anticipation of its opening on the Great White Way, the musical released highlights and new production photos. See them below!

Hands on a Hardbody opened on Broadway on March 21, 2013. BroadwayWorld was there for the cast's first official Broadway bow, as well as the after party. Check out photos from the curtian call and watch BWW's Richard Ridge chatting with the cast and creative team below!

Leading up to the announcement that HANDS ON A HARDBODY would be closing after just 28 regular performances on Broadway, BroadwayWorld put together a series of exclusive videos featuring the show's stars talking about bringing the stories of real people to life onstage. Watch them all below as our send-off to this new American musical.

Keala Settle discusses her real-life counterpart, Norma Valverde.

Keith Carradine discusses his real-life counterpart, JD Drew.

William Youmans discusses his real-life counterpart, Don Curtis.

Jacod Ming-Trent discusses his real-life counterpart, Ronald McCowan.

Hunter Foster discusses his real-life counterpart, Benny Perkins.

Safe travels, HANDS ON A HARDBODY...