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'Hands on a Hardbody' star Hunter Foster sings of a truck in Texas 'Hands on a Hardbody' star Hunter Foster sings of a truck in Texas By Ronni Reich/The Star-LedgerThe Star-Ledgeron March 10, 2013 at 11:17 AM, updated March 10, 2013 at 11:21 AMPrint View/Post Comments Hunter Foster stars in the new musical 'Hands on a Hardbody' Claudio Papapietro/For the Star-Ledger The concept behind "Hands on a Hardbody" almost sounds like a drama class exercise created by a particularly tough teacher: Write a musical in which the main characters are each rooted to one spot for the entirety of a story.Based on the 1997 documentary of the same name, the show follows a group of small-town Texans as they try to win a new vehicle. To drum up press attention and increase sales, a local dealership has started a competition: Whoever can keep one hand on a pickup truck longest gets to drive it home.Before the actor Hunter Foster auditioned, he thought, "God,oakley penny, thats a weird idea."Its very unorthodox. This is going to be really different from anything Ive done and if its done well, itll surprise a lot of people."Foster now plays a major role in the Broadway production of the show, which had a well-received run at the La Jolla Playhouse in La Jolla, Calif., last year.Besides its unusual starting point, the production is also of note as the first musical by Trey Anastasio of Phish, who has written a country-rock score in collaboration with lyricist Amanda Green of "Bring it On: The Musical." Neil Pepe directs, with musical staging by Sergio Trujillo.Foster, who lives is New York with wife Jennifer Cody and also has a home in Greenwood Lake on the New Jersey-New York border, has appeared on Broadway in "Urinetown," "The Producers" and "Little Shop of Horrors."The actor grew up in Georgia (his sister is actress Sutton Foster), and says that in "Hardbody," he has an opportunity to portray a familiar and perhaps misunderstood culture,fox sunglasses."This is real people," he says. "This music is authentic."Foster plays Benny Perkins, the winner of the previous years competition. Perkins is a sly expert on truck-winning strategy and hes not afraid to torment his opponents to get an advantage. At the same time, the show outlines the disappointment and heartache in his life, and the desire to help someone he sees as a brother."Hes this kind of bastard, which is fun to play," Foster says. "But he learns about himself and the deeper problems underneath come out. You understand why he is the way he is. I thought that was an interesting arc."I related because I knew a lot of people like him and I liked his story of redemption."Fosters character competes with an eclectic lot. Among them are a middle-aged man looking for escape (Keith Carradine), a model-type who relies on her looks (Kathleen Elizabeth Monteleone), a fervent churchgoer (Keala Settle) and a pair of underemployed dreamers (Allison Case and Jay Armstrong Johnson).Then theres Layla, the Nissan pickup at center stage for much of the show. As the production progresses, there are times when the characters spin along with the truck without ever losing their grip. Some jump and dance in its bed."The truck sometimes has a mind of its own," says Foster. "It goes where it wants to go. Its kind of like playing Ouija board. We get a rhythm with each other, and we all breathe and move together."Sometimes, the vehicle fades into the background."Its like A Chorus Line, where everyone stands on the line and then, when they have their moments, they break off the line and sing," Foster says."We come off the truck to realize theatrical moments. I think thats really surprising to people its not just standing around the truck."For Foster, another surprise of the show has been Anastasios music. "Songwriting for records is different from songwriting that tells a story and perpetuates characters," he says."The great thing about this is that Treys such a huge musical theater fan. He grew up in New York going to musicals. He completely understands this world."One of the most memorable moments of the production for Foster has been meeting the real Perkins, who came backstage after a performance at La Jolla."He was seeing me and seeing his life onstage, and it was a very emotional moment," Foster says. "This steely Texan from Longview burst into tears, and then I burst into tears.""It was the strangest thing. I had been somehow walking in his shoes."Perkins told Foster how he sustained himself during the Hardbody competition and how the other contestants didnt like him. Foster, who had watched the documentary over and over again, said it was as if he was meeting a movie star."As an actor, you fall in love with your characters," Foster says. "You have to."A few of Fosters castmates also met their alter egos, and he says the experience made the production feel deeper and more grounded. Although theres humor in the show, Foster wants to make sure its not perceived as a send-up of Texas culture.CONNECTWITH US On mobile or desktop:, Like Star-Ledger Entertainment on Facebook, Follow @NJentertainment on TwitterAnd check out our redesigned mobile site by visiting NJ.com from any mobile browser. "Growing up in the South, theres a certain sense of community and down-home, working-class values," Foster says. "Living in New York, you forget about that simplicity sometimes."I felt like I wanted to protect these people," he adds. "I just want to give them the respect they deserve."Hands on a HardbodyWhere: Brooks Atkinson Theatre, 256 W. 47th St,oakley outlet., New YorkWhen: In previews, opens March 21. Through March 21: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m.From March 22: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Wednesdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m.How much: $47 to $197; call (877) 250-2929 or visit ticketmaster.comRELATED COVERAGE , Danny Burstein finds rewarding challenges in 'Talley's Folley', A new attitude: 'Cinderella' comes to Broadway