Sydney Johnson
The second act of the most anticipated movie-musical, Wicked: For Good (2025) is set to be released in theatres across the globe later this year, resurfacing the conversation of proper theatre etiquette.
Wicked (2024), starring British actress Cynthia Erivo and American singer Ariana Grande, has taken pop culture by storm.
After breaking the record for how much it made opening weekend as a Broadway musical adaptation, and ultimately climbing to a total of $750 million, viewers, unsurprisingly, can’t help but ‘hold space’ for the film.
Storyline
Originally debuting as a 2003 Broadway musical, Wicked tells the story of life in the land of Oz before Dorothy’s arrival, focusing on Elphaba and Glinda.
Original Cast
The original Wicked cast includes well-acclaimed, Tony Award-winning singers and actresses, including Kristin Chenoweth, Idina Menzel and Norbert Leo Butz.
The impact it has left on the theatre world has pushed its legacy up until the present day, where many can agree that it is a household franchise and musical.
Additionally, the Tony Awards nominated the musical for 10 awards, the Drama Desk Awards for 11, and the Outer Critics Circle Awards for 10 in 2004.
Composer Stephen Schwartz created many gems on the official Wicked soundtrack, including one of the musical’s most well-known songs, ‘Defying Gravity”.
“I feel like it changed me,” says Idina Menzel in an interview with The New York Times. After starring as Elphaba in the original Wicked musical, she went on to win the 2004 Tony Award for originating her role.
Now, the 2024 adaptation is on the quest to reach that same status, this time with a bigger budget and set design.
Wicked (2024) director Jon M. Chu went over budget to make this film come to life. Some of the sets were even designed and constructed by hand for the production.
Wicked Theatre Etiquette
Through the release of the Wicked (2024), its loyal fanbase has gathered in movie theatres across the world. Families, friends, coworkers and anyone who is a true fan of the musical are in line to see the critically acclaimed film.
Videos of people dressed head to toe in green body paint, witch hats and pink dresses on their way to see the movie have spread online, creating a tight-knit community of those who have awaited the film’s release. However, there is a divide about singing during the movie.
Movie companies, including AMC Theatres, have released statements reminding movie-goers of movie theatre etiquette while the film is playing.
“The AMC has a long-standing policy that prohibits disruptive behaviour,” said AMC Representative Ryan Noonan.
“The Wicked preshow spot incorporates the themes of the film as a fun, engaging reminder to moviegoers to not disrupt the experience for those around them as they enjoy the show.”
Social media users have also discussed whether it is okay to sing along while the movie is playing.
On TikTok, some have spoken out against the thought of those in their theatre singing along to the Wicked soundtrack.
“This should not be a hot take, you guys,” said TikTok user Rachel Ann Thomas in a video she posted about the debate.
“I didn’t pay to hear you sing, I paid to hear Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo sing.”
PSA: Nobody wants to hear you singing in the movie theater during ‘Wicked’ pic.twitter.com/T4WYp2EZSi
— Chicks in the Office (@ChicksInTheOff) October 26, 2024
The Actor’s Opinion On Wicked Theatre Etiquette
However, others have argued that it should be okay if movie goers for Wicked (2024) feel moved enough by the cinematography of the film to sing.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, who starred in the popular Disney animation Moana, believes people who have paid to see the film should be allowed to sing.
“Sing! You’ve paid your hard-earned money for a ticket, and you’ve gone into a musical, and you’re into it. Sing,” he said in an interview with BBC News last month.
In addition, cast members from the movie have joined the conversation as the debate continues to take social media by storm.
Cynthia Erivo settled her thoughts on the debate in an NBC interview just weeks before the movie opened at the box office.
“Good! I’m OK with it,” she told NBC Today. “We spent this long singing it ourselves, it’s time for everyone else to join in. It’s wonderful.”
Moreover, Wicked director Jon M. Chu even went on X to tell fans of the musical make a special request to movie theatres if they wish to sing during the film.
“Tell your movie theatre to turn it up to a seven. I’ve gone to a couple of screenings and they are more like a 6.4,” Chu wrote.
“If you want it the way it was intended, seven is the way.”
Overall Thoughts
The idea of movie theatre etiquette includes the belief that movie-goers should be respectful of those who are there to watch and enjoy the film.
As we all know, keeping your phone off, not talking to your neighbour and staying seated are all rules of thumb the second you walk into any theatre.
Inspired by the recent release of Wicked (2024) and the upcoming Wicked: For Good (2025), fans are increasingly questioning whether these old-fashioned rules can be bent simply for the sake of having fun.
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Featured image courtesy of Krists Luhaers on Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image licence found here.
Sydney Johnson
Hello! My name is Sydney and I am a junior content editor and freelance journalist. I'm a US-native and have a background communications, video production and marketing. I like to spend my free time reading, writing, traveling and trying new restaurants.