ACT Announces Cast and Creative Team for “Hands on a Hardbody”

August 4, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Coburn Goss, Artistic Director

cgoss@argentatheatre.org

501-353-1443

Tickets go on sale Wednesday, August 5, for the heartfelt musical about ten Texans, one truck and the chance to change their lives

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Before online giveaways and viral challenges, there were radio contests, pickup trucks and the promise of a prize that could change your life. Argenta Contemporary Theatre (ACT) is bringing that distinctly 1990s world to the stage with Hands on a Hardbody, running August 24–September 6. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, August 5.

Filled with real people, big dreams and music drawn from the heartland, Hands on a Hardbody blends rock, country, blues and gospel into a funny and deeply human musical inspired by true events. Its world of pickup trucks, perseverance and neighbors competing for a better future will feel immediately familiar to audiences across Arkansas.

Ten contestants. Four days. One truck. The rules are simple: keep at least one hand on the truck. The last contestant standing drives it home.

As the competition stretches on, the contestants reveal the hopes, hardships and personal stories that brought them there. What begins as an unusual contest becomes a hard-fought examination of grit, community and the American dream.

Hands on a Hardbody features a book by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Doug Wright, lyrics by Amanda Green, and music by Trey Anastasio and Amanda Green.

The ACT production is directed by DeLance Minefee, a Jacksonville, Arkansas, native and New York City-based director returning to Central Arkansas as a guest artist.

The cast includes:

J.D. Drew — Gary Newton

Kelli Mangrum — Tyranni Hubbard

Benny Perkins — Wyatt Hamilton

Greg Wilhoite — Noah Warford

Chris Alvaro — Adam Whitfield

Ronald McCowan — Taylor Leron

Heather Stovall — Katie Choate

Virginia Drew — Rita Woodward

Mike Ferris — Matt Maguire

Cindy Barnes — Lauren Bishop

Jesus Pena — John Rolon, Jr.

Norma Valverde — Lexie Ellis

Janis Curtis — Jessica Miller

Frank Nugent — Brandon Eells

Don Curtis and Dr. Stokes — Chip McAfee

The creative and production team includes:

Director — DeLance Minefee

Music Director — Emory Molitor

Choreographer — Noah Warford

Scenic Designers — Sara Cooke and Coburn Goss

Lighting Designer — Ivy McGrew

Costume Designer — Shelly Hall

Sound Designers — Thomas Drake and Donna Hall

Props Designer — Lauren Nicholas

Production Coordinator — Sara Cooke

Stage Manager — Jordan Hancock

Performance Information

Hands on a Hardbody

August 26–September 6, 2026

8/26 WED 7 PM (Preview)

8/27 THU 7 PM (Preview) 

8/28 FRI 7 PM (Opening Night)

8/29 SAT 2 PM & 7 PM

8/30 SUN 2 PM

9/3 THU 7 PM

9/4 FRI 7 PM

9/5 SAT 2 PM & 7 PM

9/6 SUN 7 PM

Ticket Prices

$75 — Interactive Seating

$60 — Premium Seating: Orchestra Risers or Balcony

$40 — Standard Seating: Orchestra

$35/$55 — Groups of 10 or more; reservations must be made directly through the box office

$25 — Rush Tickets, available beginning one hour before each performance

Tickets go on sale Wednesday, August 5, at argentatheatre.org.

About Argenta Contemporary Theatre

ACT is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to nurturing and advancing the performing arts through performance, education, and community collaboration. We recognize that today’s artists operate in a culturally diverse and technologically evolving environment, and ACT is committed to promoting and presenting work that reflects these dynamic conditions at both our mainstage theater and education center.

Coburn Goss, Artistic Director

Jeremy Williams, Executive Director

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