It's All in Hand

When you think of more or less typical Broadway musical fare, your mind most likely doesn't light on "pickup truck." But Hands on a Hardbody is just that: a Broadway musical about a truck -- or more exactly, the people who covet it. The plot is derived from a true story that first came to national attention via S.R. Bindler's 1997 documentary film of the same name. In Longview, Texas, a local car dealership staged an endurance competition, the winner of which would drive home in a brand-new pickup truck (the titular "hardbody"). Twenty-four contestants vie to keep one hand on the truck for the longest amount of time without leaning on the vehicle or squatting down for relief; there's your ready-made material for drama and comedy. Hands on a Hardbody's music was composed by Phish's Trey Anastasio with assistance from Amanda Green, who wrote the lyrics for the stage version of High Fidelity. New Line Theatre starts the contest at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday (May 29 through June 21) at the Washington University South Campus Theatre (6501 Clayton Road, Richmond Heights; 314-534-111 or www.newlinetheatre.com). Tickets are $10 to $20.
Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m. Starts: May 29. Continues through June 21, 2014