'HANDS ON A HARD BODY' Doc Bound For The Musical Stage, Green And Wright To Pen Project For La Jolla

Variety reports that Pulitzer Prize winner Doug Wright and Broadway lyricist Amanda Green are set to bring the 1997 documentary "Hands on a Hard Body" to the stage musical.

The project was commissioned by the La Jolla Playhouse, where it will have its initial run. Joining in the development will be Playwrights Horizons. The musical is set to be produced by Kevin Morris, Robb Bindler and Chapin Wilson.

"Hands on a Hard Body: The Documentary" followed an endurance competition that took place in Longview, Texas. The yearly competition pits twenty-four contestants against each other to see who can keep their hand on a pickup truck for the longest amount of time. Whoever endures the longest without leaning on the truck or squatting wins the truck. Five minute breaks are issued every hour and fifteen minute breaks every six hours.

The documentary covered the 1995 competition which lasted for seventy-seven continuous hours. The film garnered the audience award for best documentary at the 1997 Los Angeles Film Festival.

Wright has worked with Playwrights Horizon on his Pulitzer Prize-winning play "I Am My Own Wife" and the musical "Grey Gardens." La Jolla Playhouse showcased "I Am My Own Wife" and commissioNed Wright's adaptation of the August Strindberg play "Creditors," which will premiere at La Jolla Playhouse later this season.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

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