Hands on a Hardbody: Sergio Trujillo to choreograph

The producers of the La Jolla Playhouse production of the new American musical Hands on a Hardbody, due to bow on Broadway during the 2012-2013 season, have announced that Benjamin Millepied has withdrawn from the production due to unforeseen scheduling conflicts and has been replaced by Sergio Trujillo.

Sergio Trujillo choreographical credits on Broadway include: 'Leap of Faith,' 'The Addams Family,' 'Memphis,' 'Guys and Dolls,' 'Jersey Boys' and 'All Shook Up.' He is also to direct and choreograph the upcoming Broadway musical "Flashdance."

Millepied said, "It's been a privilege to work with this very talented team on an exciting and innovative piece of theatre. Regrettably, my schedule for this coming spring is shaping up to be busier than I'd anticipated and I won't be able to continue with the show, but I'm thrilled to have been involved with a great new musical."

Inspired by true events and based on S.R. Bindler and Kevin Morris' 1997 documentary of the same name, the musical features a book by Doug Wright (Pulitzer Prize winner, I Am My Own Wife), lyrics by Amanda Green (Bring It On: The Musical), and music by Trey Anastasio (Phish) and Amanda Green.

For ten hard-luck Texans, a new lease on life is so close they can touch it. Under a scorching sun for days on end, armed with nothing but hope, humor and ambition, they'll fight to keep at least one hand on a brand new truck in order to win it. In the hard-fought contest that is Hands on a Hardbody only one winner can drive away with the American Dream.

Theater, dates, casting, and ticket information for the Broadway production will be announced shortly.

The musical is to be produced on Broadway by Broadway Across America (John Gore, Thomas B. McGrath, Beth Williams), Rich Entertainment Group (Bob and Mindy Rich), Barbara Whitman, Latitude Link, Dede Harris, Sharon Karmazin, and Howard and Janet Kagan.

Directed by Neil Pepe (Speed-The-Plow), the world premiere production of Hands on a Hardbody played at La Jolla Playhouse (San Diego) from 12 May to 17 Jun 2012.

The La Jolla Playhouse production starred Keith Carradine, Allison Case, Jarrod Emick, Hunter Foster, Jay Armstrong Johnson, David Larsen, Kathleen Elizabeth Monteleone, Mary Gordon Murray, Connie Ray, Jon Rua, Keala Settle, Dale Soules, Jacob Ming Trent, Scott Wakefield and William Youmans. It is not known if any of the cast will reprise their roles for Broadway.

Hands on a Hardbody was commissioned by La Jolla Playhouse (Christopher Ashley, Artistic Director & Michael S. Rosenberg, Managing Director).