Review: HANDS ON A HARDBODY Outrageously Funny Opens 41st Season at the Unicorn Theatre

On August 17 Cynthia Levin was honored by the Unicorn Theatre when the Main Stage was renamed the Levin Stage by the Board of Directors and the staff. On Saturday night September 6 the now Levin Stage was christened with one of the best performances to be presented in the 41 seasons of the Unicorn Theatre. Hands on a Hardbody opened the 41st season for the Unicorn with a marvelous production directed by Missy Koonce, with musical direction by Angie Benson and choreography by Christina Burton.

Hands on a Hardbody with a book by Doug Wright, music by Trey Anastasio and Amanda Green and lyrics by Amanda Green is more than the story of contestants vying to win a new truck. This is the story of love, friendship, trust, relationships, prejudice, and ignorance delivered in some of the most humorous and some of the most touching songs to appear together in a musical.

Hands on a Hardbody is based on a documentary film of the same name, about contestants who must endure heat, sleep deprivation, and the verbal assaults of the other contestants to win a new truck. The direction of Koonce and the character development that each of the actors brings to the stage quickly transforms the play from a campy, whimsical musical into a beautiful swan that majestically swoops over the audience.

Tim Scott is brilliant as Benny the prejudice redneck attempting to revisit his win from the year before. Scott who usually keeps the audience amused with his splendid sense of humor gives the audience something that many may not have seen before, a marvelous dramatic performance as his character develops. Newcomer to the Kansas City stage Sara Kennedy plays Kelli the young woman who becomes attracted to Greg, played by Daniel Beeman. With the fine talent and wonderful voice she presented on Saturday night, she should easily blend into the Kansas City actor pool.

Francisco Javier Villegas is superb as Jesus, a veterinary school student who want to win the truck to pay for his studies. Shea Coffman gives an eerie performance as Chris a former Marine who looks at the contest more as a military assault than an endurance test. It is sad to see Sam Salary's character Ronald drop from the contest, his booming voice makes the audience wish he could hang on for one more song.

Jessalyn Kincaid is marvelous taking the stage as Heather, a vivacious woman who not only expects to win the truck, but to be glamourized in commercials for the dealership. Victoria Barbee plays Norma, a deeply religious woman who needs the truck for her family. As she performs "Joy of the Lord" with the cast, the energy she delivers envelops the theater. Marc Liby gives a remarkable performance as J.D. an oilfield worker fired after incurring an injury on the job. Julie Shaw was wonderful as Virginia, the overly protective wife of J.D.

The comedy award goes to Cathy Barnett as the toothless, down home, country-bumpkin Janis. The audience erupted in laughter as she delivered her lines, danced, and sang. Martin Buchannan plays Don, the equally toothless husband of Janis, who struggles to keep her in the game.

Other members of the cast include Vincent Onofrio Monachino as Frank the radio personality, Trista Smith as Cindy the dealership employee charged with regulating the game, and Matthew James McAndrews as the seedy manager. Whether taking the stage in a starring role or as a member of the supporting cast each actor delivered with the highest of quality that we have come to expect from the Unicorn Theatre.

Hands on a Hardbody continues at the Unicorn Theatre through September 28. Purchase tickets by calling 816-531-0421, at the box office, or by visiting the Unicorn Theatre website.

Photo by Cynthia Levin and courtesy of the Unicorn Theatre.

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