MILWAUKEE — Academy Award-nominated and Tony Award-winning actor Hugh Jackman (Les Miserables, The Greatest Showman, Wolverine in the X-Men films) made his way all around Milwaukee on Tuesday, December 2nd, meeting fans and promoting his upcoming film, Song Sung Blue.
Song Sung Blue stars Hugh Jackman as Lightning and Kate Hudson as Thunder, portraying the love story, big dreams, and real life dramas of the Milwaukee couple who spend several years in the 1990s performing together as a musical tribute act dedicated mostly to the music of Neil Diamond.
The movie company and Hugh Jackman felt it was important to have a Hometown Preview of the film. That intention turned into an action-packed day for the actor as he participated in a full schedule of Milwaukee area appearances including a blue carpet arrival (notice, not a red carpet) at a special screening at the historic Oriental Theatre on Milwaukee’s East Side.
Hugh Jackman started his day by posting a charming video of himself from his room at The Pfister Hotel wearing a cheddar wedge hat.
Jackman spent over an hour at the Kopp’s location in Greenfield serving 500 free cones of the Flavor of the Day – Song Sung Blueberry – frozen custard to fans who lined up for blocks for a taste and time with him. Fans of all ages were rewarded with a sweet treat to eat, a chat with Jackman and a professionally taken photo with the star.
Jackman’s Milwaukee visit included culture and cocktails by trying his hand at Hammerschlagen at Old German Beer Hall and a visit to Kegel’s Inn with comedian Charlie Berens to sip an Old Fashioned. He also fit in visits to a couple of area schools before attending two Song Sung Blue screenings.
In Milwaukee, Jackman and film director/screenwriter Craig Brewer walked the blue carpet and introduced the screening on-stage at the Oriental Theater, along with Claire Sardina – the real Thunder – and her daughter Rachel Cartwright. Both Sardina and Cartwright consulted on the film and helped shape the script. That introduction included the announcement and unveiling of a bench inscribed as a tribute to Lightning and Thunder that will now be at Wisconsin State Fair Park, an event that the duo performed at annually for many years.
Jackman and Brewer then went to Waukesha to introduce a screening of the film at the Majestic Cinema of Brookfield, then returned to the East Side for a surprise appearance at Landmark Lanes.
The after-party in the Moon Lounge of Landmark Lanes, serving up cheap beer and free pizza, featured a performance by local favorites, cover band The 5 Card Studs. Unannounced, the amiable and charismatic Hugh Jackman arrived at the party and brought up Claire Sardina on the stage with the band. Together, they sang “Sweet Caroline” will full participation in the sing along by the ecstatic audience. Just one song, but it was the right one! As he left the party after more hugs with Sardina and her family, he was all smiles and continued to chat with people and pose for photos on his way out.
See more of Hugh Jackman here.
And enjoy this interview with Beth D’Amato. She’s a Milwaukee native who is the daughter of Lightning and Thunder’s co-manager, Tom D’Amato, portrayed by actor Jim Belushi in “Song Sung Blue”.
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