Photo: Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures via Everett Collection
Petrana Radulovic is an entertainment reporter specializing in animation, fandom culture, theme parks, Disney, and young adult fantasy franchises.
Theaters were unprepared to deal with legions of moviegoers belting their hearts out to Wicked, which in my professional opinion is an oversight in the sheer passion that Wicked specifically inspires. It’s not just a musical for theater fans; it’s a musical with such a far-reaching scope and audience, with music that is just so damn sing-along-able. Even The Rock weighed in on this!
But thankfully, Universal is rectifying this wrong with a series of special sing-along screenings debuting in over 1,000 theaters nationwide starting on Dec. 25. Huzzah! These special screenings will have the lyrics on screen, just in case you don’t know all of the words to “Popular”. (Couldn’t be me.) There will also be a special intro from stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.
“The overwhelming response to Wicked has been remarkable,” said Jim Orr, president of domestic theatrical distribution for Universal Pictures, in a news release. “These sing-along screenings offer fans a unique opportunity to become part of the story they’ve embraced so enthusiastically. There’s something extraordinarily special about experiencing this beloved musical together as a community, and we’re thrilled to create that opportunity this holiday season.”
I simply think more movie musicals should come out with a sing-along versions from the get go — it’s a win-win! More tickets sold, less chance to annoy your fellow theatergoers, more chances to have a wonderful transcendent experience singing along with other superfans.
Anyway, time for me to buy tickets for my third viewing of Wicked. Tickets are available now.