Weak ticket sales prompted a quick hook for the show, but Hands on A Hardbody is starting strong in the Broadway awards season. This morning, Trey captured a Tony nomination in his first foray into writing for the stage, sharing a nod for Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Stage with Amanda Green. (Amanda wrote the lyrics, while the two share credit for the music). While it's not a part of this particular award, Trey also is credited with writing the orchestrations (along with old partner Don Hart), a big part of the overal musical effect.

Two Hardbody cast members came away with Tony nominations as well—Keith Carradine (the hard-luck oil refinery worker who makes a strong bid to win the hardbody contest) and Keala Settle (religiously devoted Norma, who leads "Joy of the Lord," cited by many show-goers as the highlight of the production) are up for Best Featured Actor and Actress in a Musical, respectively.

This morning's Tony nominations came one day after the show captured nine Drama Desk award nominations, tying with Giant for highest total this year. Among those nominations are Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Music (for Trey and Amanda), Outstanding Lyrics (for Amanda), Outstanding Book (for show-conceiver Doug Wright) and Outstanding Orchestrations (for Trey and Don Wright), as well as additional nods for Carradine and Settle.

The Tony Awards will be broadcast live on CBS on Sunday, June 9.

See Phish.net's review of Hands on a Hardbody here.

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