Cynthia Erivo, a renowned figure in the entertainment world, is making waves by "Defying Gravity" and challenging the movie theater edicts that prohibit fans from singing along to "Wicked." This has sparked a heated debate among moviegoers and theater operators alike.

Cynthia Erivo's Stand for Fan Singing in Theaters

Fan Singing at Movie Theaters: Erivo's Perspective

During the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Cynthia Erivo joined the "Today" show anchors and parade hosts, making her stance on fans singing along in theaters crystal clear. She responded positively when asked about it, stating, "Good! I’m OK with it. We spent this long singing it ourselves, it’s time for everyone to sing." This shows her support for fans' ability to engage with the movie musical's songs in a communal way.Fans' desire to sing along to the musical's songs at the cinema has been a point of contention. While some fans cherish this experience, others prefer to simply watch the movie in silence. At AMC Theatres, singing is clearly prohibited, as stated in a 30-second advisory shown before the release of Part 1 of the blockbuster. It emphasizes that silence is golden at their theaters, with no talking, texting, singing, wailing, flirting, or name-calling allowed.

Face Paint and Theater Policies: A Controversy

The issue of face paint has also caused a stir. Some major cinemas across the nation, including AMC and Cinemark, have been discouraging fans from painting their faces to resemble the green-tinged skin of Erivo's Elphaba. Theatergoers have reported being turned away or asked to remove the paint in the bathroom. However, others have had no issues entering the same chains. Major movie theatre chains like AMC, Regal, and Cinemark have explicit policies against certain attire, including face paint. Their websites clearly state no face paint and no face-obscuring costume policies.Erivo herself is just happy to "share" the film with fans. She considers this a wonderful opportunity to connect with everyone. "This is such a wonderful thing to be able to share with everyone. We’ve been keeping it to ourselves, and now everyone can watch it," she said during the parade broadcast. She is also overwhelmed by the positive reactions the movie has received.

The Box Office Success of "Wicked"

Directed by John M. Chu, "Wicked" has taken the Broadway fan favorite to new heights. Originally starring "Frozen" actress Idina Menzel and Tony Award winner Kristin Chenoweth, it has created magic at the box office. In the U.S. and Canadian theaters, it has pulled in $114 million, and in international markets, it has earned $50.2 million, resulting in a global total of $164.2 million, marking the biggest opening weekend for a film based on a Broadway musical.Erivo expressed her joy about the box-office hit, saying, "This has been a dream come true to be able to share this with my family and friends. … It’s been a wild ride, but everyone has been so glorious and so gracious with me."Contributing: Jay Stahl, Anna Kaufman, Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY; Cheryl V. Jackson, Indianapolis Star; Reuters