Limelight Theatre: Hands on a Hardbody

The Limelight, a community theater located in Uptown St. Augustine, presents Hands on a Hardbody from August 11 through September 3, 2023.

Inspired by the 1997 documentary of the same name, Hands on a Hardbody interprets a true story into an American rock musical. The play’s plot follows a group of Texan contestants who compete for the prize of a Nissan Hardbody truck. How to win? Well, these ten individuals (though there were 24 in real life) simply have to keep their hands on that truck longer than anybody else. It’s not a child’s game, and it’s not a game of chance — it’s a test of mental fortitude. Hilarity and “human drama” ensue in this heartfelt musical comedy, which has been performed on Broadway and beyond.

Hands on a Hardbody includes songs inspired by show tunes (of course), rock, country, and gospel genres. The story? You know it’s straight from the heart of Texas. Each song reflects the unique characters who took on this test of endurance. From Bible-thumpers to ex-Marines; burnt out grandmas and bright-eyed youngins dreaming of greener pastures — everyone has the same goal and the same path to victory. Who can maintain their sanity the longest? That’s for us ALL to find out. There’s a few things that are certain — “someone’s gonna cry here, someone will go insane and [many more] will be laughing at someone else’s pain.”

Admission: 

Tickets are $28 for all 13 or over, $26.00 for seniors 62 and over, $23.00 for students and military. One child under 12 may attend at no charge with purchase of one full-price ticket. Tickets are $18.00 on the first Thursday of each production (Preview Night) and on Tuesday Nights (Terrific Tuesdays). Student "Rush Tickets" are $10.00, when available, 30 minutes prior to curtain.  Box office hours are on Tuesday to Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., along with an option to make online purchases. 

When: 

From August 11 to September 3, 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays, 2 p.m. on Sundays. Select shows on other days of the week — check their website for showtimes.

Where: 

11 Old Mission Avenue, St. Augustine, Florida 32084. There is parking in the lot off Bernard Street.