Milwaukee, WI
Hugh Jackman ‘celebrates Milwaukee’ at ‘Song Sung Blue’ premiere
Hugh Jackman and Craig Brewer serve ‘Song Sung Blue’ custard at Kopp’s
Actor Hugh Jackman and writer/director Craig Brewer serve a special flavor of the day, Song Sung Blueberry, at Kopp’s Frozen Custard as part of the Milwaukee premiere.
A big Hollywood movie premiere with one of Hollywood’s biggest stars made its way to Milwaukee’s east side Dec. 2.
Hugh Jackman was at the Oriental Theatre, along with filmmaker Craig Brewer, for the Milwaukee premiere of their new movie “Song Sung Blue.” An Oscar contender from Focus Features out in theaters Christmas Day, “Blue” is based on a 2008 documentary, also called “Song Sung Blue,” about real-life Milwaukee couple Mike and Claire Sardina, who performed around town in a Neil Diamond and Patsy Cline tribute band Lightning & Thunder from the late 1980s through the mid-2000s.
Claire Sardina, played by Kate Hudson in the film, was also in attendance at the local premiere along with her daughter Rachel Cartwright, portrayed by Ella Anderson. They joined Jackman, Brewer and Fox6 Milwaukee’s Gino Salomone for a 12-minute introduction — where Jackman and Brewer surprised Sardina with an engraved bench, dedicated to Lightning & Thunder, that will have a permanent home at the Wisconsin State Fair, where the band often performed and even got married.
“This is one of the most amazing stories … that celebrates Milwaukee, that celebrates Neil Diamond and family and love,” Jackman said in his introduction about the documentary that inspired him to sign on to star in Brewer’s adaptation, before Brewer had even written the screenplay. “I thought this is the kind of movie I want to be in, this is the kind of movie we need, and tonight, of this four- or five-year journey, is the most important night so far.”
The packed theater was filled with several relatives and longtime friends of the Sardina family, who frequently burst into cheers, and also Greg Kohs, the director of the documentary, who received his own applause and compliments from Jackman and Sardina.
“Do you think that Lightning is here tonight …?” Claire Sardina called out to cheers, honoring her husband, portrayed by Jackman, who died in 2006. “I love you, honey. I love you.”
“This movie that you’re going to watch is so beautiful,” Rachel Cartwright told the audience, holding back tears.
“I can’t thank both of you enough for making this wonderful story,” she added, looking at Brewer and Jackman.
Crowds swarm the Oriental Theatre in the cold for the premiere
Around 5:45 p.m. invited guests shuffled into the Oriental lobby from the cold along snowy sidewalks on Farwell and North avenues as a musician covered Neil Diamond songs inside the theater — with Claire Sardina making a guest appearance with passionate vocals for the finale.
Dozens of fans without a ticket huddled outside under the theater marquee, wearing “Song Sung Blue” winter hats and cheering for social media videos, waiting for Jackman to arrive. Landmark Lanes next door hosted a party that continued after the movie ended, featuring Milwaukee cover band 5 Card Studs in the Moon Room.
After Jackman’s car pulled up to screams around 6:35 p.m., the Oscar-nominated actor, 57, stopped in front of video cameras, bright lights and camera flashes for smiling poses and media interviews on a “blue carpet.” Jackman also posed for photos with Brewer, Claire Sardina and Rachel Cartwright, who chatted with the star, with Jackman finally making his way to the theater after about 30 minutes.
Speaking to the Journal Sentinel’s Hannah Kirby on the blue carpet, Brewer credited Jackman for the Milwaukee premiere.
“I remember very early on Hugh telling me, ‘You’ve got to take this to Milwaukee. You’ve got to make sure you have a screening or a premiere in Milwaukee,’” Brewer said. “It’s a Milwaukee story. What I like most about it is that it’s also a Milwaukee story that I think a lot of people don’t even know about.”
“We want this to be kind of a legendary thing, like something that’s lore of Milwaukee, that Lightning & Thunder started here.”
The film includes other references to the Milwaukee music scene. Real-life late Milwaukee musician and Buddy Holly impersonator Mark Shurilla has a prominent role and is played by “The Sopranos” star Michael Imperioli. Veteran Milwaukee soul band the Esquires is also mentioned and portrayed in the film, and Lightning & Thunder’s most famous gig is recreated — an opening set for Pearl Jam in town, at Eddie Vedder’s request.
“Blue” also stars Fisher Stevens, Jim Belushi, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir and Hudson Hensley. The film currently has a fresh score of 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 17 reviews.
Reactions were similarly glowing inside the theater, with several Wisconsin references — including a Badger Bus hat cameo and a “Poto” reference to Potawatomi Casino Hotel, drawing woos. Claire Sardina and Rachel Cartwright also received applause when they appeared for brief cameos.
Milwaukee moviegoers that spoke to the Journal Sentinel were universal in their praise.
”I didn’t know that a movie about a Neil Diamond cover band from Wisconsin would be so funny and so emotional,” said Nicole Tymus from Waterford.
”I thought it was fantastic, very family-oriented, wholesome,” said Luke Vandeberg. “It pulled at the heartstrings.”
“It’s a great story about Milwaukee. You’ve got to love it,” said Bob Babisch, retired vice president of entertainment at Summerfest. It was at the Big Gig where Vedder saw a Lightning & Thunder set, prompting him to invite the band to open for Pearl Jam in the amphitheater the same day, when Vedder joined them on stage.
“They are a piece of Milwaukee,” Babisch said of the band, praising the film as “a great love story.”
“I’m at a loss of words, it’s a lot to take in,” said Tanya Holt, who said she cried a couple of times during the movie. Holt is Rachel Cartwright’s second cousin, and she said seeing the film brought back a lot of memories, good moments and difficult ones, for the family.
“It was a great movie,” Holt said.
Pre-premiere festivities included slinging Kopp’s custard, wearing a Cheesehead
Jackman and Brewer didn’t just fly in for the premiere. The two also appeared at the Greenfield Kopp’s location earlier in the afternoon Dec. 2 and served a special flavor of the day, “Song Sung Blueberry,” for the occasion. About 1,200 fans lined up, with Jackman staying for a little over an hour and serving free scoops of custard to about 500 fans.
“That Kopp’s custard is the bomb,” Jackman told the crowd at the Oriental Theatre, bending over with his hands on his knees for extra comedic effect. “I can’t go back to ice cream ever again.”
Jackman also posted a video on his Instagram Dec. 2 sitting at a window overlooking downtown Milwaukee — while wearing a Cheesehead.
“First time in Milwaukee and I am so excited,” Jackman said in the Instagram video. “And, I’m never taking cheese off my head again. I can’t believe I went 57 years without it.”
‘Song Sung Blue’ trailer stars Kate Hudson, Hugh Jackman
The trailer for “Song Sung Blue,” with Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman, shows the triumph and pain behind Neil Diamond tribute band Lightning & Thunder.
This story was updated to add new information.
The Journal Sentinel’s Hannah Kirby and Adrienne Davis contributed to this report.
Contact Piet Levy at (414) 223-5162 or plevy@journalsentinel.com. Follow him at facebook.com/PietLevyMJS.
MILWAUKEE – A Milwaukee man, previously named one of Wisconsin’s Most Wanted, has been sentenced to prison for shooting and killing his cousin in 2020.
In court
What we know:
A Milwaukee County jury found 39-year-old Brandon Gladney guilty of first-degree reckless homicide and possession of a firm by a felon earlier this year.
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Judge Michelle Havas sentenced Gladney to 29 years in prison on Friday, April 17. He was granted credit for more than a year’s time served and further sentenced to 14 years of extended supervision.
Arrested in Arizona after years on the run, court records show Gladney has also been ordered to pay the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office more than $1,800 for extradition costs.
Homicide investigation
The backstory:
The shooting happened in May 2020. Investigators said Gladney was captured on video apparently arguing with the victim, his cousin, outside a Milwaukee convenience store near 21st and Meinecke.
“It’s all on video, and it’s devastating for that family,” the marshal on the case told FOX6 when Gladney was profiled on Wisconsin’s Most Wanted. “You have a family member that shot and killed another family member.”
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Prosecutors said Gladney walked away but then returned with a gun pointed directly at the victim and shot him. The victim died from his gunshot wounds at a nearby hospital. Multiple bullet casings were found at the scene.
Gladney went on the run for years. He was arrested in Arizona in January 2023, years after he was charged.
The Source: FOX6 News referenced information from the U.S. Marshals Service, Wisconsin Circuit Court and prior coverage.
Brice Turang slides to home plate to score during a game between the Miami Marlins and the Milwaukee Brewers on April 17. (Photo by Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MIAMI – Garrett Mitchell went 2 for 4 with three RBIs including a two-run double in the 10th inning and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Miami Marlins 7-5 on Friday night.
By the numbers:
Miami’s Calvin Faucher (1-2) entered a 4-all game in the 10th and walked Gary Sánchez with Brice Turang on second. Jake Bauers hit a single to load the bases.
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Luis Rengifo reached first on a throwing error by second baseman Xavier Edwards, allowing Turang to score. Mitchell followed with his double.
The Marlins scored one run in the bottom of the 10th when Jakob Marsee came home on Trevor Megill’s wild pitch. Megill settled in for his fourth save.
Coleman Crow, who made his debut on the mound for the Brewers, threw 77 pitches over 5 1/3 innings. He threw four strikeouts, gave up two earned runs and a walk.
The right-hander was 2-0 with a 4.07 ERA in two starts with the Brewers’ Triple-A affiliate in Nashville. He missed part of the 2023 season and all of 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
The Brewers scored three runs in the fourth inning. With the bases loaded, Mitchell hit an RBI single, Bauers scored on a forceout at first and Rengifo scored on a throwing error by catcher Agustín Ramírez.
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Miami’s Otto Lopez hit a triple to center field in the fourth and scored on a sacrifice fly by Owen Caissie. Lopez hit a two-run homer in the sixth to pull Miami within 4-3 and Ramírez doubled in the eighth to tie the game at four.
Abner Uribe (1-0) earned his first win of the season, coming on in the ninth inning.
Marlins third baseman Graham Pauley left the game in the seventh inning with right oblique discomfort after spinning out of the way of a pitch.
What’s next:
The Brewers and Marlins continue their 3-game series on Saturday, with Brandon Woodruff (1-0, 4.36 ERA) taking the mound for Milwaukee and Sandy Alcantara (2-1, 2.67) for Miami.
The Source: The Associated Press provided this report.
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Loyalty is a word you rarely hear anymore when it comes to college sports.
Amare Hereford is an exception.
The night before he was able to put pen to paper and make his commitment to the UW-Milwaukee men’s basketball team official earlier this week, the Beloit Memorial standout was invited for an on-campus visit with the Wisconsin Badgers.
Hereford did his due diligence. What player wouldn’t have in his position?
“Me being an 18-year-old kid, my first high major [visit], I just decided to go check it out,” Hereford said.
UW put on the full-court press in an attempt to lock down the Wisconsin “Mr. Basketball” finalist.
“They offered me a scholarship,” Hereford said. “It all happened so fast. It was all within a day.”
Hereford went home, processed the situation with his family and came to a decision.
He would honor his commitment to the Panthers, with his signature cementing the deal and UWM announcing the news Thursday, April 16.
“No, it wasn’t really hard to turn down,” Hereford said, referring to UW’s offer. “I love every school and I appreciate every school that reaches out to me. But I’m going to choose a school that I have a great relationship with, with all the coaching staff, and that’s been thinking highly of me and recruited me for the longest time. And that was the Panthers.
“Wisconsin is a great school, of course. But I’m going to the school that has been with me for the longest time.”
The 6-foot-2, 175-pound Hereford is a huge addition for a Panthers squad that, like so many other programs due to transfer portal madness, is in the midst of rebuilding its roster for the 2026-2027 season almost from scratch.
“Amare will be a star here at Milwaukee,” coach Bart Lundy said. “He will be a fan favorite from the beginning. He is a complete basketball player but probably has as good of an ability to score as I’ve seen in any high school player. He is a great student and a great worker and completely fits our culture.
“We are so excited that he will represent the city of Milwaukee and the state and especially his hometown of Beloit.”
Indeed, Hereford put the ball through the net for Beloit Memorial at a prodigious rate, averaging 37.5 points per game – tops in the state – as a senior. He finished as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 2,493 points in four years.
Hereford also poured in 49 points in his final high school game, a WIAA sectional semifinal loss to Verona last month.
Hereford was tough to guard going to the basket as his 60.7% shooting this past season indicates, but he also shot a terrific 45% from from 3-point range (81 for 180) and capitalized on all the contact he drew to the tune of 83% accuracy at the free-throw line.
More than just a scorer, though, Hereford also finished with team-leading averages of 8.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 3.9 steals per game.
“My playing style fits the way [the Panthers] play – they get up and down, play fast,” Hereford said. “Coach Lundy said he definitely sees me running [point guard], having the ball in my hands, playing the same way I did in high school, finding teammates, getting to the rim and scoring at all three levels.”
Defense is typically where newcomers experience the biggest growing pains, learning the all-out effort it takes to guard at a high level on every possession.
Hereford, however, indicates he’s more than just a scorer.
“I love playing defense,” he said. “Hitting the gaps, getting steals and different things like that, being active with my hands a lot. I’m definitely looking forward to getting pushed defensively and picking up the ball full court, on-ball pressure in the half court.”
Hereford took his visit to UWM in mid-March, after the season had been completed, but saw enough games on TV to cement his opinion of the challenge ahead.
“The Horizon League is amazing,” he said. “There’s a lot of guards who play the same way I play, like to get up and down, play fast. That’s why I love Coach Lundy and the Panthers and the rest of the staff. They let guys be themselves. They play fast, get up and down, play together as one.
“They let everybody touch the ball and be themselves.”
Before Wisconsin entered the picture, Hereford said he’d narrowed his school choices to UWM and San Diego, where Whitefish Bay Dominican product and former Iowa State assistant JR Blount has taken over as head coach.
Now, Hereford projects as an important piece in the Panthers’ rebuilding process.
“Coach Lundy and the staff, they believe in me heavy. And I just want to prove them right,” Hereford said. “I want them to see that I can come in and make a huge impact right away for the team and in the Horizon League.
“I’m definitely going to come in and compete for my minutes. And obviously, I want to stay there.
“So, definitely looking forward to coming in and earning my spot.”
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