Fans of the beloved musical film Wicked are igniting discussions about theater etiquette, fueled by encouragement from none other than Cynthia Erivo, the star of the film. During her recent appearance at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC, Erivo expressed her support for audience participation, particularly the act of singing along during screenings.
When host Hoda Kotb asked Erivo if it was acceptable for viewers to join in singing the iconic show tunes during the movie, Erivo didn't hesitate. "Good. I’m OK with it. We spent this long singing it ourselves — it’s time for everyone else to join in. It’s wonderful,” she said, radiantly enthusiastic. This endorsement is significant as many fans feel compelled to vocalize their excitement alongside the screen.
Erivo's sentiment aligns with similar advice from other celebrities. Dwayne Johnson, who starred in Disney's animated musical Moana, also encouraged fans to sing along, maintaining, "You’ve paid your hard-earned money for a ticket, and you’ve gone to see a musical — you should sing!" This statement adds to the growing culture of interactive screenings, where the audience is encouraged to engage with the film.
But not everyone is on board with the idea of belting out tunes at the cinema. AMC Theatres recently reiterated its policy against disruptive behavior during films. Speaking to the media, spokesperson Ryan Noonan explained, "AMC has a long-standing policy prohibiting disruptive behavior. The Wicked pre-show spot incorporates the themes of the film as a fun engagement reminder for moviegoers to respect the experience of others."
Despite this, many enthusiastic fans are eagerly awaiting interactive sing-along versions of Wicked, set to premiere on Christmas Day across nearly 1,000 North American cinemas.
The pushback against singing ain’t just confined to Erivo's embrace of it; it reflects broader attitudes toward audience interaction. Some theater-goers have raised objections, believing they should solely enjoy the talents of the professional cast onscreen without interruptions. There’s a fine line between enjoying the experience collectively and causing disruption — it’s this delicate balancing act that's got audiences talking.
Erivo’s comments come alongside growing tension about recording behaviors within theaters. Following the debut of Wicked on November 22, fans have taken to social media with mixed feelings about filming parts of the movie and posting them online. Advocates argue it spoils the cinematic experience and disrespects the creators' work. This controversy aligns with Erivo's thoughts on audience engagement—as singing along has been debated for its disruptive potential, so too has the endeavor of broadcasting films through social media.
Erivo shared her gratitude for participating in such monumental projects like Wicked. She expressed her appreciation for the film's release as fulfilling, stating, "This has been a dream come true, to be able to share it with my family and friends.” For many attendees, the thrill lies not just in watching, but fully immersing themselves within the experience, contributing their voices to the magic.
Box office numbers reflect the film's decisive success, raking in $114 million during its opening weekend across U.S. and Canadian theaters—marks of its significant appeal. Coupled with international earnings, the total gross reached approximately $164.2 million globally. These impressive figures establish Wicked: Part One as the highest-grossing Broadway adaptation to date, surpassing the previous record set by Into the Woods.
Such achievements have thrilled fans and boosted discussions on group viewing experiences. For many, the Wicked experience transcends mere attendance; it has evolved to be about collective joy and participation—an important note for future audience interactions.
Overall, as box office records continue to flood the charts, the conversation around audience participation could shift the very nature of musical screenings forever. Will we see the transformation of theatrical etiquette? Where will the boundaries lie between cinema respect and audience expression? Only time will tell if more cinematic sing-alongs prosper under this new wave of communal experience proclaimed by stars like Erivo.
