For Neil Diamond fans, a film chock full of his hits is coming to the big screen on Christmas Day.
It’s entitled “Song Sung Blue,” but it’s not a bio pic nor is it the musical dubbed “A Beautiful Noise,” which previously played on Broadway and features a keg full of shimmering Diamond ditties.
“Song Sung Blue” is somewhat of a peculiarity; yet it could be highly popular, with Diamond’s cluster of hit music the attraction.
The premise of “Song Sung Blue” is that the principal characters are musicians in a tribute band named Lightning & Thunder, whose members include Mike and Claire Sardina, portrayed by Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, respectively.
Yep, it’s an intriguing vehicle for Jackman, interpreting the Diamond jukebox of hits, as a group member mimicking the singer with songs like “America,” Sweet Caroline,” and “I Am…I Said.” But early media data fail to offer a playlist.
“Song Sung Blue” was written and directed by Craig Brewer, based on a 2008 documentary by Greg Koha.
Jackman can sell a song, sung blue or not, since he’s been a musical actor for decades. His first big stage musical was “Oklahoma,” in which he starred as Curly, and his last was “The Music Man,” in which he played Prof. Harold Hill who could toot “Seventy-Six Trombones” and conquer the tongue-twisting “Trouble.”
Of course, Jackson won a Tony for his enactment of Peter Allen in “The Boy From Oz” on Broadway, and though his vocals were properly expressiveas Jean Valjean in “Les Misérables” on the big screen, the flick wasn’t the kind of musical powerhouse as his key film hit, “The Greatest Showman,” in which his P.T. Barnum enactment justly defined his performance in that blockbuster film.
If you wonder if Hudson can handle a tune, she’s proven she’s got chops by releasing her first album, “Glorious,” last year.
“A Beautiful Noise” still is on a national tour, and audiences are applauding and singing along. The book was written by Anthony McCarten and the show was produced by Ken Davenport and Bob Gaudio.
Arena tour of ‘Les Mis’ due in New York
The world tour of the fabled “Les Misérables” international spectacle—dubbed “The Arena Concert Spectacular” – will land at Radio City Music Hall next summer.
The show, gathering key acting and singing leads over the decades, will be in Manhattan July 23 through Aug. 2, but already has been extended through Aug. 9. It will be the North America premiere, according to producer Cameron Mackintosh.
An American Express pre-sale for the extra week will launch sales Nov. 13, with sales to the general public starting Nov. 14 via Ticketmaster.com
Previously announced new engagements will be at the 3Arena in Dublin May 29 through June 6, 2026, the Utilita Arena in Birmingham June 11 through 14, 2026), and at London’s Royal Albert Hall June 18 through 21, 2026.
The tour opened with a two-year run in Belfast beginning in September, 2024; the new dates will mark the end of the official 40th anniversary celebrations of “Les Miz”,The musical last played Broadway in 2016, and the London production has just entered its 41st year at the Sondheim Theatre
Full casting for the new tour dates will be announced at a later tim
“I am thrilled that we will be bringing home this iconic event to New York’s legendary Radio City Music Hall in July 2026,” said Mackintosh. “Les Misérables” has not been seen in New York for almost a decade”…
Broadway grosses, simple as 1, 2, 3
Not surprisingly, the ranking of the top shows, for the week ending Nov. 2, was a replay of 1-2-3 of recent weeks.
“Hamilton” topped the charts, again as the lone show grossing over $3.4 million. “Wicked” was No. 2, with $2.0 million, “The Lion King” was No. 3, with $1.7 million.
The Top 10:
1—”Hamilton,” $3.434 million
1—”Hamilton,” $3.434 million
2—”Wicked,” $2.001 million
3—”The Lion King,” $1.728 million
4—”Chess,” $1.715 million
5—”Waiting for Godot,” $1.581 million
6—”ART,” $1.421 million
7—”Mamma Mia!,” $1.403 million
8—”Just in Time,” $1.290 million
9—”Ragtime,” $1.265 million
10—”MJ the Musical,” $$1.179 million
The full countdown, courtesy the Broadway Guild:
And that’s Show Biz…
