SPECIAL DOCUMENTARY VIEWING
Friday, Feb. 13, 7:00 ● Free/no tickets needed (donations accepted) 

​Documentary that spawned a musical at SVP Theater

Creative people are inspired in many different ways. In the case of Hands on a Hardbody (Stoughton Village Players’ upcoming musical), it all started with a crazy contest in Texas and the documentary that followed. On Friday, Feb. 13, audiences will be able to experience a showing of this film and then follow up to see the musical live a month later. It is an unusual path for a Broadway show and audiences will get a chance to see how the process happened… a rare opportunity.

It’s simple: Contestants placed their hand on a 1995 Nissan Hardbody pick-up truck and the last one with their hand on it won the vehicle. There were breaks every six hours and other rules meant to make it difficult but the movie and the musical are about these people and their personal stories. We learn about what the truck means to them, what their dreams are and how their lives might change. They are real, earnest and honest.

The musical (March 12-15 and 19-21) is based on some of the people we meet in the documentary and even uses some of their real words. Some may wonder how we can do a show that is based on a truck in the SVP theater. The answer is: Audiences will experience a never-before-seen set piece, dynamic choreography and powerful songs sung by a local cast. It will truly be a talked-about performance you don’t want to miss.

But an even cooler addition to attending the show is to see the documentary of the same name which will be shown at 7:00, Friday, Feb. 13. The showing is free (donations accepted) and no tickets are needed. Directors  (Dan Prueher, Brooke Hauser) and cast members will be there as well to add their perspective in creating their characters and why they are so passionate about the show.

Hands on a Hardbody documentary
Friday, Feb. 13, 7:00
Stoughton Village Players Theater
Free/no tickets needed (donations accepted)

Stoughton Village Players Open House
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27
6:00-7:00pm

Interested in learning how to get involved in SVP, onstage or backstage?
Come learn about the many exciting ways to get involved in this fun community group - acting, scenery, props, tickets -
​everyone can play a role in bringing our shows to life!

Hands on a Hardbody
Tickets $20 (on sale now)

Cast:
JD: Mark Wegner
Virginia: Jennifer Heritsch
Benny: Bryan Royston
Norma: Lydia Black
Rhonda: Christina Mathis
Chris: Cal Compe
Janis: Kathleen Tissot
Don: Russ Kellom
Greg: Mike Olson
Kelli: Emma Broback
Heather: Alli Buckets
Mike: Paul Shableski
Cindy: Felicia Lawrence
Frankie: Shanna Dean
Jesus: Omeed Soltaninassab

Director: Dan Prueher
Assistant Director: Andy Stoffels
Music Director: Brooke Hauser
Choreographer: Lyn Pilch
Assistant Choreographer: James Van Abel
Producer: Deb Weis

This Broadway show tells the story of East Texas people striving for their dreams by being the last person to keep their hand on a Nissan Hardbody truck. With contemporary music composed by Trey Anastasio from Phish, it covers Americana, country, bluegrass, folk, rock and gospel...quite simply, it is a singer's dream with solos, duets and more songs than a standard musical.

The show tells the real stories of contestants keeping their hand on a Nissan Hardbody pick-up truck... and the last one on it wins. We are proud to have so many wonderful voices and actors fill our cast and can't wait to start working on the show (including building a truck).
Congrats to all.