“Wicked: Part 1,” perhaps the most highly anticipated movie of the holiday season, has sparked debate over expectations for how audiences should behave during screenings of the musical, which hit theaters this weekend.
To sing, or not to sing along
Theater chain AMC has called on viewers to be quiet during the screening. However, some fans have strong opinions on whether or not they should be allowed to sing.
Signs read: “To our guests seeing Wicked, we ask that everyone enjoy the movie theater experience. Please do not sing during the show.”
Some online agreed with AMC, saying they want to hear the stars, not the audience. One moviegoer brought a poster to the theater that read: “Attention Ozians: no matter how beautiful (or not), please don’t sing!”
Others argued that people should be allowed to sing, especially on opening weekend, because the film is a musical.
“I say, if you come the first time and you keep singing, keep singing,” actress Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba in the film, said in an interview with StayTunedNBC. “But come again and let us sing to you.”
Ariana Grande, who plays Glinda, added that she understands the “tempting” urge to sing along, but also respects why people wouldn’t. She said if someone throws popcorn, “maybe stop.”
However, there is hope for those with a song in their hearts. According to Variety, AMC will offer a sing-along version in select North American theaters on Christmas Day, just over a month after the film’s premiere.
Max Cisotti/Dave Benett/WireImage
Who’s in the star-studded cast?
Erivo is a Tony and Grammy award-winning British actress and singer who rose to fame starring in the Broadway Revival of ‘The Color Purple’. She also received an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Harriet Tubman in the 2019 biopic “Harriet.”
Grande is a Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter and actress who started her career in “13” on Broadway and went on to appear in several Nickelodeon shows. She is widely known as a pop music superstar, with hits such as ‘7 Rings’ and ‘Thank U, Next’.
Jonathan Bailey plays Fiyero, a prince and Elphaba’s love interest. Bailey rose to fame starring in the Netflix series ‘Bridgerton’ and has a musical background in West End productions such as ‘Les Miserables’ and ‘Company’.
Elphaba’s sister Nessarose’s love interest, Boq, is played by Ethan Slater, best known as Spongebob in “Spongebob Squarepants” on Broadway.
Oscar-winning icon Michelle Yeoh plays Madame Morrible, a headmistress of Shiz University. Her most recent triumph came from starring in ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’. President Biden awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom earlier this year.
Acclaimed actor Jeff Goldblum plays The Wizard. Two of his best-known blockbusters are ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘Independence Day’. He also has critically acclaimed roles in Wes Anderson films and appears in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Dr. Dillamond, the goat professor at Shiz University, is played by award-winning actor Peter Dinklage. He is best known for his role as Tyrion Lannister in ‘Game of Thrones’.
“Saturday Night Live” star and comedian Bowen Yang plays Pfannee, one of Glinda’s friends.
Keala Settle, best known for her role in “The Greatest Showman” and as Angelique/Nurse in the West End musical “& Juliette”, plays Miss Coddle. The original character was created for the 2024 film.
What is it about (spoiler free)? And what else you need to know
“Wicked: Part 1” is the first of a two-part film series based on the musical “Wicked,” an adaptation of the Gregory Maguire book “Wicked.” It’s a variation on ‘The Wizard of Oz’.
The 2024 film follows the unlikely friendship of the Good Witch, Glinda, and the Bad Witch, Elphaba, which blossomed as college roommates. The pair travel to the city of Oz to meet The Wizard.
It has a running time of 2 hours and 44 minutes. Fans shouldn’t anticipate a post-credits scene after the movie ends.
“Wicked: Part 2” is scheduled for release on November 21, 2025.
What is “slick?”
A November Fandango poll found that nearly 65% of moviegoers were interested in seeing a double feature of “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” in theaters. Both films were released the same weekend.
The film combination was named ‘Glicked’, reminiscent of 2023’s ‘Barbenheimer’.
