Refuge Theatre Project Brings HANDS ON A HARDBODY To Chicago

Refuge Theater Project is proud to announce the cast and production team for its second production in its 2018 - 2019 season, Hands on a Hardbody, March 15 - April 27, book by Doug Wright, with lyrics by Amanda Green, and music by Trey Anastasio and Amanda Green, directed by Refuge Theatre Project's Artistic Director Christopher Pazdernik and music directed by Jon Schneidman.

Hands on a Hardbody runs Fridays through Sundays at 8 p.m. at Mason Hall in the Preston Bradley Center, 941 W. Lawrence Ave. Previews are Friday, March 15 and Saturday, March 16 at 8 p.m. with opening/press night Sunday, March 17 at 8 p.m. NOTE: There are no performances Friday, April 5 and Saturday, April 6 and added performances Monday, April 1 and Thursday, April 4. Preview tickets are $15, regular run tickets are $30 each and available at RefugeTheatre.com.

Nominated for Best Musical by the New York Drama League and inspired by true events, the hilarious and hopeful Hands on a Hard Body is based on the acclaimed 1997 documentary of the same name by S.R. Bindler, produced by Kevin Morris and Bindler. Only one winner can drive home the American Dream and 10 hard-luck Texans all want the keys. Under a scorching sun for days on end, they will each fight to keep at least one hand on a brand-new truck in order to win it.

Hands on a Hardbody marks the third collaboration between Director Christopher Pazdernik and Music Director Jon Schneidman at Refuge. They previously worked together on the Jeff-Award winning High Fidelity and last season's Jeff-Award nominated Spitfire Grill. New York Magazine said Hands on a Hardbody is "Hands down ... musical theater heaven!" and The New York Times said, "You can hear the voice of America singing in this daring new musical."

The cast of Hands on a Hardbody includes Alli Atkenson, "Kelli Mangrum;" Max Cervantes, "Chris Alvaro;" Katherine Condit, "Janis Curtis;" Derek Fawcett, "Benny Perkins," Dan Gold, "Mike Ferris;" Jenna Fawcett, "Cindy Barnes"; Jared David Michael Grant, "Ronald McCowan;" Tim Kough, "JD Drew;" Molly Kral, "Heather Stovall;" Matt Patrick, "Frank Nugent;" Cathy Reyes McNamara; "Norma Valverde;" Roy Samra, "Greg Wihote;" Judy Lea Steele, "Virginia Drew;" Sebastian Summers, "Jesus Pena;" Anthony Whitaker, "Don Curtis/Dr. Stokes;" Jasmine Young, female swing.

The production team includes Christopher Pazdernik*, director; Jon Schneidman, music director; Ben Baylon, production manager; Mark Bracken*, technical manager; Ariel Triunfo, choreographer; Matt Dominguez*, associate director; Sean Mohler, stage manager; Evan Frank*, set designer/props master; Collin G. Helou* and Jennifer Kules, lighting designers; Isaac Mandel, sound designer/audio designer; Uriel Gomez, costume designer and Brendan Siddall, production assistant.

*Denotes Refuge Theatre Project company member