Hello Beautiful People,
Last night, Hunter Foster blew my mind.
Last night, Allison Case & Jay Armstrong Johnson made me smile and nostalgic.
Last night, Jon Rua reminded me of my grandfather.
Last night, David Larsen reminded me of one too many men who have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan.
I said I wasn’t going to write another piece until Monday.
But, the words are flowing out of my fingertips, so perhaps it’s better to give the amazing cast and creative team of HANDS ON A HARDBODY a proper send off, as they did not get a fair run. I do not know how one can predict ticket sales so quickly, as this show has only been able to do a little under three weeks of performances since it officially opened. How do you let a show sink without giving them a life-preserver first? How is the lack of life preservers on a boat not setting you up to let everyone drown?
I don’t get it.
I read an article today that suggests that perhaps the title played a part in the lack of ticket sales. Too salacious. Too promiscuous. An implication of something risqué. Perhaps we all need to get our heads out of the gutter, but I suppose that’s something to take into consideration when planning for future shows.
I still don’t get it.
This is what I get…
Critiques aside – this cast was phenomenal. My friend and I were three rows from the stage, and the emotions and passion and energy that were exuded from the cast were palpable. It was a charge that stretched from the stage and broke that fourth wall and permeated every seat in the house.
This is what I get…
God Answered My Prayers was phenomenal. Phenomenal. I think you’d be hard pressed to find a person that could not relate to that song. I think you’d be hard pressed to find a person who did not want to run up onto the stage and provide a shoulder to cry on for Hunter Foster. This is for the parents who have lost a child. For the parents who wish to wipe the pain of their loved ones away. For the people who have endured so much pain & hurt & suffering & disappointment that they are a shell of who they used to be. Before last night, I had never seen Hunter perform onstage, and that memory will stay with me forever.
This show dealt with almost every single social issue of our time. There really is something that could resonate and does resonate with everyone. That. Is. Impressive. THERE’S REFERENCES TO THE HEALTH INSURANCE MONSTERS FOR PETE’S SAKE. Tell me, who does that not resonate with?
When Allison Case and Jay Armstrong Johnson opened their mouths and began to sing “I’m Gone”, I felt like I was listening to a conversation between friends of mine. This was the song for those in their twenties. The ones who have dreams that are big & huge & beautiful & wonderful…and yet can’t find the jobs and means to support their aspirations. It’s not a lack of work ethic, it’s not a lack of ambition – it’s a lack of jobs. But, at the end of the day, you must still strive for what you want, no matter how long it takes you to get there.
“Born in Loredo” gave me chills and reminded me of my grandparents. I’m not hispanic, but I am second generation American. And my grandparents have plenty of stories of people who poked fun of their accents, who pretended not to understand them, who didn’t even try to understand them, and who gave them a hard time simply because they didn’t understand the mother tongue. Jon Rua, you made that come alive with utter perfection.
“Stronger”, hurt my heart to listen to it, and I mean that in the best possible way.
Look, this sucks that it’s closing so soon. There’s no way to make that sound pretty. It just sucks.
But, Trey, Amanda, Doug, and the entire cast – you’ve created something beautiful. Something that will live forever for those who loved it so, and, mark my words, there are songs in here that will wind up in many auditions pieces. Break a leg tonight!
Live, Love, Learn,