USA 2025
Opening January 8, 2026

Directed by: Craig Brewer
Writing credits: Craig Brewer, Greg Kohs
Principal actors: Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson, Ella Anderson, King Princess, Michael Imperioli

Mike Sardina (Hugh Jackman) says, “I am an entertainer,” and plays the guitar. He was formerly a soldier in Vietnam, as well as an alcoholic. Now he celebrates his twentieth sober birthday without alcohol. He is immediately attracted to Claire Stengl (Kate Hudson) who sings and plays the keyboard. Soon they are a couple, marry, and create a patchwork family which includes two daughters, Rachel and Angelina, as well as small son Dana, who loves to take photos. Rachel is often the most sensible member of the family. She sees reality and reacts. Mike as “Lightning” and Claire as “Thunder” are now the Neil Diamond Tribute Band. In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, they perform in bars and also at the Wisconsin State Fair. Sadly, events change when Claire is hit by a car and loses a foot. She spends time in the hospital and learns to cope with a protheses as well as crutches.

Director Craig Brewer based his docu-drama on a true story, with help from a documentary of the same title by Greg Kohs, which showed in 2008. In our version there are nineteen songs, thirteen of them by Neil Diamond, including “Song Sung Blue,” and “Sweet Caroline” (which plays several times including at the wedding of Mike and Claire).  The most popular presentation is the song “Soolaimon.” Not only music, but also excellent costumes hold our interest. Mike loves to appear on stage in a sparkly jacket.  Now almost eighty-five years old, song writer Neil Diamond last performed in Hamburg in September 2017. Song Sung Blue is the perfect film to help us through the dark winter months of 2026.  (Becky T.)