SONG SUNG BLUE : In Production

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MATAWAN
Hugh Jackman in action as Neil Diamond-themed movie films in Matawan auto garage

Portrait of Jerry CarinoJerry Carino
Asbury Park Press



Actor Hugh Jackman waves to onlookers in Matawan after emerging from Stillwell Garage during the filming of "Song Sung Blue."


MATAWAN - One day over the summer, a young man wandered into Stillwell Garage, which has been repairing cars in Matawan for over 70 years, to take some photos.

“He looked like a college student who was doing a side project, making his own film,” garage owner Chris Lacerre said. “We told him, ‘Sure, why not?’ A lot of people probably would have brushed him off, but I thought, what could it hurt?”

The young photographer took his photos and left.




“Then he came back with a bigger group,” Lacerre said.

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Chris Lacerre (center), owner of Stillwell Garage in Matawan, with family members in front of the garage-turned-movie-set for the upcoming film "Song Song Blue."

Turns out, this was no college side project. The photographer was part of the location crew for “Song Sung Blue,” a major motion picture starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson. The musical drama, which is based on a 2008 documentary, is about a downtrodden Milwaukee couple’s formation of a Neil Diamond tribute band and the midlife revival that followed. There is no release date yet.

On Monday the production crew descended on the garage, which is tucked into Jackson Street just a block west of Main Street. Filming began Wednesday and runs through Friday, with the shop closed all three days. After leaving Wednesday’s shoot, Jackman waved to onlookers who had gathered outside.

“When they come in your whole world changes and very quickly — they do not mess around,” Lacerre said. “The amount of equipment and amount of manpower, the logistics of what they pull off, is remarkable."

He added, “It’s nice to be able to bring this to the community.”

The community should be used to it by now. This is the fifth high-profile movie or television show to shoot on location in Matawan over the past five years.

“For this tiny two-mile town, there so much production going on,” borough historian Kurtis Roinestad said. “Matawan has a lot of unique features.”



Actor Hugh Jackman waves to onlookers in Matawan after emerging from Stillwell Garage during the filming of "Song Sung Blue."
'A film-ready town'
Boasting a quaint downtown with scores of well-preserved historical buildings and homes, Matawan has drawn the attention of filmmakers. With Netflix building a television and film studio on the grounds of the former Fort Monmouth in nearby Eatontown, “we became a film-ready town,” Matawan mayor Joe Altomonte said.


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As explained by borough administrator Ryan Michelson, Matawan officials adopted an ordinance streamlining permits needed for filming to take place — things like road closures and finding space for production trailers.

“It’s a way producers will know this is a place that’s friendly to film productions,” Michelson said. “We’ll work with them.”

Examples abound:

In 2022 the Ryer House mansion along Main Street, also known as the “Blue House,” was used for a scene in romantic comedy “Space Cadet” starring Emma Roberts.
A scene from the 2022 comedy film “Clerks III,” the brainchild of Bayshore native Kevin Smith, was shot at Rose Hill Cemetery.
In 2020 the Travel Channel series “Ghost Nation” filmed an episode investigating the Burrowes Mansion Museum on Main Street.
Just last month, “Good Morning America” host Michael Strahan interviewed Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff at Stewart’s Root Beer on Main Street (Emhoff spent his teenage years living just over the border in eastern Old Bridge).
"You guys figure it out":Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff's Old Bridge, Matawan connections

From left: Matawan Mayor Joe Altomonte and historical society members Kurtis Roinestad and John Lazar in front of the set of "Song Sung Blue" on Jackson Street.

All this activity, Altomonte said, “puts Matawan in the spotlight — in a good way.”

'We love this wood paneling'
Familiarity with the area from a previous movie shoot is what led the “Song Sung Blue” location team to scour Matawan for potential sites.

“They wanted to shoot a scene in the garage,” Lacerre said. “They were in our office and saw the wood paneling in the office and said, ‘We love this wood paneling.’”

Then Lacerre took them upstairs. Stillwell Garage, whose original owner was the brother of Lester Stillwell — a 12-year-old victim of the infamous 1916 shark attack in Matawan Creek that inspired the book-turned-movie “Jaws” — has customer families dating back three generations and décor to match.

“It’s wall-to-wall wood paneling,” Lacerre said. “Very dated with a nice, vintage look to it. They saw that and this morphed into them taking over the place. They came back with a busload of people.”

Lacerre said the producers are compensating the shop for the three-day closure.



“We scouted the location and loved it,” said Fernanda Reuel, a film crew location assistant. “It was what the script called for.”

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Chris Lacerre (left), owner of Stillwell Garage, poses with "Song Sung Blue" location assistant Fernanda Reuel, near the set in Matawan.
On Wednesday, as Lacerre and Matawan officials watched the set buzz with activity along Jackson Street, they were asked if any Neil Diamond fans were among them.

“Absolutely,” Roinestad said. “Who’s not?”

Jerry Carino is community columnist for the Asbury Park Press, focusing on the Jersey Shore’s interesting people, inspiring stories and pressing issues. Contact him at [e-mail].

[jo]

Margaret Miller
@marg_Miller
Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson are filming in Denville, the next town over. My friend said there was quite a traffic jam.
@michelemkaufma1
what are they filming?

[jo]

There's information that filming of the movie may last till end of November...and it will likely all be in some parts of New Jersey.

The Death of Robin Hood does not start filming till February 2025, so that gives Hugh some breathing room, although January may be taken up with rehearsals for his 2 dates at Radio City Music Hall.

Jo

[jo]

clara
@leclercsletters
·
20h
charles with the whole restaurant singing sweet caroline after the race ❤️

x.com/i/status/1850937787740242171

From
lec♡︎



JoAB
@joab46466753
Charles (Leclerc) is sometimes called Baby Hugh (Jackman) at the (Formula One) paddock? Hugh is currently filming a movie ( SongSungBlue) where he is expected to sing "Sweet Caroline" 😂

This happened in Austin, Texas, where an FI race was held at Circuit of the Americas.

The song seems to be very popular with crowds.


Jo

[jo]

The title song itself has so many recorded versions - from Diamond to Sinatra and this one from the Percy Faith Orchestra.



The song itself seems to give us hints that the story is going to be tinged with drama & sadness..

Can't wait to hear Hugh Jackman's interpretation!

Jo

[jo]

About Song Sung Blue
"Song Sung Blue" is a 1972 hit song written and recorded by Neil Diamond, inspired by the second movement of Mozart's Piano Concerto #21. It was released on Diamond's album, Moods and later appeared on many of Diamond's live and compilation albums. The song was a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States for one week, the week of July 1, and it spent twelve weeks in the Top 40. It also made the pop chart in the United Kingdom, reaching #14 on the UK Singles Chart.

"Song Sung Blue" was Diamond's second #1 hit in the U. S., after 1970's "Cracklin' Rosie", and to date his last solo #1 song (he had a #1 duet with Barbra Streisand in 1978, with "You Don't Bring Me Flowers"). In addition, "Song Sung Blue" spent seven weeks at #1 on the adult contemporary chart. The song has become one of Diamond's standards, and he often performs it during concerts. "Song Sung Blue" was nominated for two Grammy Awards in 1973, Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Both awards that year were won by Roberta Flack's rendition of Ewan MacColl's song, "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face".

I have a feeling it will return to the Billboard chart ( as well as Sweet Caroline) when the movie gets released. And Hugh singing it in his best baritone - can't wait!


Jo

[jo]

If you like classical music -- this is the Mozart composition that inspired part of the melody of SONG SUNG BLUE --

[jo]

Hey, advance news on the cast recording for Song Sung Blue --

Soundtrack Tracklist
@tracklistost
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1h
Song Sung Blue (2025) upcoming musical drama film with Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson, Michael Imperioli | Soundtrack, cast, details - soundtracktracklist.com/release/song-sung-blue-soundtrack/

#SongSungBlue #soundtrack #ST

Song Sung Blue Soundtrack
Hugh Jackman actor
Song Sung Blue Soundtrack
Various Artists
2025
Review
Original Motion Picture Soundtrack from the musical drama film Song Sung Blue (2025). The original songs were performed by various artists.

Source: Song Sung Blue Movie
Genre: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Music by Various Artists
Label:
Format: Digital
Release Date: 2025

Song Sung Blue is a 2025 American musical drama film based on the 2008 documentary of the same name by Greg Kohs. The film was written and directed by Craig Brewer, produced by Focus Features and Davis Entertainment, and distributed by Universal Pictures and Focus Features, stars Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson, Michael Imperioli, Fisher Stevens, Jim Belushi, Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, Hudson Hilbert Hensley, John Beckwith, and Madison Mcfarlane.

Tracklisting
Coming soon…

The original soundtrack will be available on Amazon and Apple Music stores, see links.

Song Sung Blue Official Trailer (2025)

Coming soon

*Is it reporting that the movie itself will be released in 2025?

*Is the cast recording going to be released almost simultaneously?


Jo

[jo]

Filming at St Elizabeth University, Morritown, New Jersey --

Saint Elizabeth University
@saintelizabethu
SEU was thrilled to welcome the incredible Hugh Jackman to campus as he filmed for his upcoming movie! 🎬 Did you catch a glimpse of him? Tell us in the comments! And if you’re interested in hosting your own event or meeting at SEU, learn more at the link: steu.edu/meet-seu/conference-event-services/index.html

[jo]

Here he is -- Mike Sardina with his guitar (aka Hugh Jackman) --

[jo]

Blurred photo -

In costume as Mike Sardina --

[njr]

Does Hugh know how to play guitar? In that photo he’s playing a C or maybe C7 chord.
Most lefties (like Paul McCartney) can’t play guitar right-handed.

Nancy

[jo]

The theme song is really a melancholy one --




I wonder if Hugh's version will be as sad ?


Jo

[jo]

Twenty years apart - more or less ?


Jo