A Steady Rain Rules Broadway - Opening Night Video

By Christopher Moore, Broadway Magazine

"You know what, I love seeing my husband happy, and he's the happiest when he's on stage. He loves theatre. He loves that live, immediate thing - as you see from all the YouTube lately. It's great, and I love seeing him perform," smiles Deborah-Lee Furness talking about her husband Hugh Jackman's work in the Broadway production of A Steady Rain. The most popular play on Broadway celebrated it's opening night at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre for a limited Broadway run and Broadway.tv and Broadway Magazine were there on the red carpet and after the show to bring you the celebration.

Broadway Show: A Steady Rain

"Aside from the fact that those are two incredible actors, it is the most beautiful play. It is the most beautifully constructed, fantastic show," offers actress Stephanie March, alluding to Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig who play Chicago cops in the production.

"You've got two together. It doesn't get any better than that," enthuses Gayle King, Editor-At-Large for Oprah Magazine. Ms. King is clearly a fan of both actors. Given her work with Oprah Winfrey, she is no stranger to Chicago either.

"His look that he's designed for his character is interesting too. It doesn't look like the Daniel Craig coming out of the water in the Bond movie, does it?" reflects Broadway musical legend Barbara Cook on Daniel Craig's moustache. Craig's transformation into a Chicago cop has earned praise from opening night critics.

"I love them. I love theatre. So, I couldn't be more excited," shares actor Jeff Goldblum on the opening night Red Carpet for A Steady Rain.

"I'd heard rumors that Daniel was interested in the play, and I was at my day job, and he called me and he said 'This is Daniel Craig and I'd like to do your play.' I think my first response was 'this is not' because I thought it was someone pranking me," remarks Chicago playwright and new Broadway sensation Keith Huff, who is having tremendous success with A Steady Rain.

"It was unreal when I sat down at the first rehearsal and it hasn't stopped being surreal," grins playwright Keith Huff, adding "It's been a joy from beginning to end."

The story of the life-long friendship of two Chicago cops, A Steady Rain has already become the hottest ticket on Broadway. With a limited run scheduled to end on December 6, there is no doubt that the show will continue to attract large houses. Check out the opening night ovation video right here on Broadway.tv.

After the show, Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman took questions and discussed the whirlwind experience of working on A Steady Rain.

"A producer called, Fred Zollof gave me the play and I read it and immediately wanted to get involved. It went from there, really," Daniel Craig told reporters on Opening night about the origins of the Broadway production.

"It's been amazingly joyous and fun and drama-free, hasn't it?" says Hugh Jackman after opening night. With experienced stage veterans in Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman, the process of working on the production kept the drama on the stage and in the play by all accounts.

"It's been a great joy for me to come back to Broadway, but it feels like the first time because it's a straight play, which is actually what I was trying to do," laughs Hugh Jackman at the opening night press conference adding, "It's been a great thrill for me."

Travelling to Chicago for research, Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig spent time with actual Chicago police officers visiting the morgue among other things. They even took in a Cubs game, ate Chicago's famous pizza, and even drank a few beers, according to Hugh Jackman.

"We learned a lot," Hugh Jackman says of the trip, "The cops were so honest and open. We owe a lot to them. In that short period of time, we had pretty much a university-style education in what their lives is about. They were very, very generous."

"When you have a play as good as this. As honest and as straight as this, there is nothing really to embellish," reflects Daniel Craig on A Steady Rain after the performance, "It's a very raw play. It's two stories that we're telling. It needs little else."

With legions of fans and positive notices, A Steady Rain on Broadway continues it's record-setting run at Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, with a scheduled closing date of December 6. Watch the entire opening night video of A Steady Rain with more from the red carpet, the opening night ovations, and post-performance press conference with Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig right here on Broadway.tv.