Curtain Call's HANDS ON A HARDBODY Begins 3/13

There's more excitement then usual behind Curtain Call Theatre's newest show, Hands On A Hardbody, a new musical comedy-drama with a score from Phish's Trey Anastasio, lyrics by Amanda Green and a book by Pulitzer-prize winner Doug Wright. Curtain Call's Hands On A Hardbody, running March 13-22 at Flagler Place in Downtown Stuart will mark the shows first production in the state, and the southeastern premiere following its Broadway run.

"This is the show I've been waiting all year for," says Artistic Director Jake Sanders. "It's very rare you get a show this well written that's so hard to categorize. That's why I think it didn't play on Broadway. This isn't a show that fits into a typical mold- it's a masterfully written show with a little bit of everything in it," says Sanders, citing a score that includes Country, Pop, Rock, Blues and Gospel. "We're lucky to have cultivated an audience who appreciates theatre that moves you emotionally while making you laugh," he elaborates.

In the cast and crew of the show, there are four veterans who are drawing on experience not as actors and directors, but as soldiers. "This show has the courage to say something about what people face coming back from service in a way that nothing else has," says Jessica Scruggs, resident stage manager and a former army medic. "It's tough for people to adjust back to civilian life," she continues, "there are moments this show reminds us how much some of our strongest people can still need your help."

Hands On A Hardbody, while full of comic moments, takes on serious issues throughout its two acts, all while gluing the characters to a full sized pick up truck, donated courtesy of Greg & Irena Stevens of Restoration One of the Treasure Coast. "We've got a real truck onstage," says Mariano Garcia IV, a fixture at Curtain Call who starred onstage in Man of La Mancha as Sancho Panza. "Hands on a Hardbody tackles racism in a way people aren't really talking about," he continues. "My character, Jesus deals with a lot as far as people looking at the color of his skin and somehow assuming he's not as American as anyone else. This show is powerful in exposing these problems.

With a phenomenal score and a message of faith, tolerance and understanding, Sanders feels certain Hands on A Hardbody will be a hit. "It's got a strong message of faith that I think a lot of people can relate to," says Sanders. "Through showcasing these many unique characters, people should walk out of the theatre being able to empathize with their neighbors in a whole different way, humming these great new songs that are destined to become broadway hits."

Hands on a Hardbody stars a professional cast of 15 including Alicia Almodovar, Mariano Garcia IV, Ashley Anderson, Audrey Stabile, Tom Farley, Mary Murphy, Brianna Costa, Evan McMann, Austin Allen, Corey Toussaint, Sunny Massi, Slade Walter, Mark Fetterly, Dylan Roberts and Mitch Charchalis led by director John Sayers and with musical direction by Erin Paiva.

Hands on a Hardbody will play Flagler Place March 13th- 22nd with performances at 8PM on Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays and at 2PM on Sundays at 201 SW Flagler Avenue, Stuart, FL-34994. The show runs approximately an 2 hours and 10 minutes with a 15-minute intermission.

For tickets, visit online at www.curtaincallfl.com or call 772-777-1596. Tickets are available for $29, with student tickets available for $17 and other premium and VIP options available.

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