'Hands on a Hardbody' Releases Original Broadway Cast Album

Hands on a Hardbody's song plays on. The musical, which opened on Broadway earlier this year and premiered at the La Jolla Playhouse last year, released an original Broadway cast album.
The album of 21 songs features songs from the rock musical created by Tony Award-winning playwright Doug Wright; lyricist Amanda Green (High Fidelity, Bring It On: The Musical); and composer/co-lyricist Trey Anastasio, lead singer of the wildly popular jam band Phish.

The album was released on iTunes on Aug. 27. You can download individual tracks for $1.29 or the entire album for $11.99.

The U-T San Diego said the record release hugely improves the prospects for post-Broadway productions and preserves the score as originally performed by the cast including Keith Carradine, Hunter Foster and Keala Settle.

“It’s the most important thing to have to ensure the future of your show,”  Green told the U-T.

“I think we’re going to have a really terrific future life. There are already a bunch of theaters who’ll be doing it next season around the country. I think the cast album is so important for that, so I’m grateful we have it,” Playhouse artistic director Christopher Ashley told the local newspaper. “Productions are evanescent,” as he notes, “but cast albums are forever.” 

Hands on a Hardbody went home empty handed at The Tony Awards in New York City in June. The musical was nominated for three awards, including Best Original Score.

The La Jolla Playhouse has sent 24 productions to Broadway and earned 35 Tonys so far.