Cynthia Erivo encourages audiences to sing along during Wicked screenings

In a recent debate over audience behavior during film screenings in cinemas, Cynthia Erivo, who stars as Elphaba in the film adaptation of the musical Wicked, expressed her support for the idea of viewers singing along with the musical numbers. This statement was made during an interview with NBC at the traditional Thanksgiving Day parade in New York, where Erivo believes that after spending a long time performing the songs, it's a natural step for the audience to join in the experience. Her views align with those of Dwayne Johnson, the voice star from Moana 2, who a few days earlier encouraged audiences to sing freely, emphasizing that paying for a ticket to a musical entitles them to engage vocally. This perspective stands in stark contrast to the policy issued by cinema chain AMC, which warned against singing or any disruptive behavior during screenings. The debate has divided opinions, with some arguing that audience participation can enhance the enjoyment of musical films while others see it as disrespectful to the performers. Australian author Patrick Lenton also voiced concern, noting that unsolicited audience singing may detract from the professional talents of the artists on screen. Despite the split in viewpoints, Erivo's endorsement of audience participation contributes to the ongoing conversation about how people experience musical cinema, particularly as the film has achieved significant box office success, surpassing even the release of Gladiator II. Audience reactions to this debate highlight the diverse opinions on the etiquette of cinema viewing, especially for musicals where singing is a core component of the experience.