In defense of the Wicked sing-along, our great gay tradition

"Don't sing along to Wicked. We want to hear Ariana Grande, not you!"

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The warning leading up to the film premiere of Wicked has been made loud and clear by movie theater chains and some of the general public, as seen on TikTok. But what if we all just… relaxed a bit?

After decades of anticipation, the new movie adaptation starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande is finally here, and the urge for longtime fans to sing along is natural. The Tony-winning musical premiered on Broadway in 2003 and has garnered a cult following over the last 21 years. When you've been screaming along to these songs in your room for decades, it makes sense that you'd want to sing along to verifiable gay anthems like "Popular" and "Defying Gravity" when finally seeing it on the big screen. This film is, in fact, a theater kid's dream come true.

So to sing or not to sing? That is the question.

The stars of the film shared their thoughts on the debate. "I say if you come the first time and you sing through, sing through," Erivo told NBC News. "But come a second time and let us sing to you."

Grande also chimed in. "We understand it if you do, and if you don't. We support whatever makes them [the fans] happy." She then added, "If someone throws popcorn at you, or their phone or something, maybe stop."

Sure, singing can be annoying, but sing-alongs are, in fact, a grand theater tradition. Of course, you can't actually sing in the Broadway theater, so the movie palace feels like the obvious alternative. We understand the debate around etiquette, but what happened to fun?

Just look at Rocky Horror Picture Show. The film debuted in 1975 and almost instantly became a sing-along event, with audiences shouting ad-libs at the screen. In turn, this fan enthusiasm led to live productions of the show that actually depend on audience participation. If you haven't attended one of these shows, you are truly missing out on a cultural phenomenon.

And moviegoers clearly crave sing-along at the cinema. This year, pop superstars Taylor Swift and Beyoncé both premiered their 2023 tour movies in theaters and fans around the world jumped out of their seats to dance and belt along with their icons. Some who restrained themselves from engaging and sat quietly in their seats are expressing regret today.

There are sing-along editions of dozens of musicals for home use, including The Wizard of Oz. The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles even hosts an annual sing-along to the classic 1965 film The Sound of Music.

This future is inevitable for Wicked, whether sing-along naysayers like it or not. And it's more than just theater fans; it is a great gay tradition to sing together as a way of communion and connection with our divas, particularly in the Land of Oz. Since Dorothy sang "Over the Rainbow," we too have raised our voices to declare our visibility and longing for a better world.

Not everyone will want to defy the sing-along police. But do not fret! Official Wicked sing-along screenings are coming.

Beginning December 25 in select theaters, you'll be able to scream along with Cynthia Erivo through "Defying Gravity." Though details have not yet been finalized, Variety reports that the sing-along event of will be staged in around 1000 North American cinemas."

We will be in attendance. Start rehearsing your "WOAH OH OH OHHHH" riffs now.

Wicked: Part One is now in theaters.