'Hands on a Hardbody' opens at Players Theatre in Sarasota

"Hands on a Hardbody" may not be the best-known musical in the world, but it has a great reputation and its creators have some serious credentials.

The musical, which is next up from the Players Theatre in Sarasota, is based on a documentary by the same name, about a contest in Texas in which a group of people competed to win a truck by keeping one hand on its body for as along as they could. The book of the musical comes from Doug Wright, who won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play for "I Am My Own Wife." He also wrote the books for "Grey Gardens" -- which was likewise adapted from a documentary -- and for "The Little Mermaid."

The songs, which have a roots-country feel, come from Trey Anastasio, the frontman from Phish, and Amanda Green, a frequent Anastasio collaborator, and the daughter of the great Broadway and Hollywood lyricist Adolph Green ("Singin' in the Rain").

A review in New York magazine called it "musical theater heaven."

At the end of the show's run, Players Theatre is giving away a truck like the one that you'll see on stage. You can buy a chance to win for $5 at the box office.

Details: Feb. 17-March 6, The Players Theatre, 838 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Show times: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, plus 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23. No show Feb. 19. Tickets: $25 regular seating, $30 premium, $12 full-time students under 24. Information: 941-365-2494, theplayers.org.

-- Marty Clear

This story was originally published February 17, 2016 at 5:36 PM with the headline "'Hands on a Hardbody' opens at Players Theatre in Sarasota ."