One of the most interesting pieces of box office news this past weekend was the Labor Day sales bump for Mamma Mia!. The movie was in its seventh week in theaters, but it actually saw its sales go up after several weeks of drops. Getting most of the credit: special sing-along screenings in almost 300 theaters, which alone brought in $1.2 million over the long weekend. Hey, I can understand — who hasn't belted a cheesy ABBA tune or two in their day?
Of course, Mamma Mia! is just the latest in a tradition of sing-along screenings. Hairspray held some sing-along events, there was a popular Buffy the Vampire Slayer sing-along (until it got itself in trouble with Fox), and of course there's the king of all sing-alongs, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Heck, even R. Kelly's Trapped in the Closet got some sing-alongs earlier this year. So I'm wondering: Have you ever been to one of these events? Tell me your stories in the comments!
Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures
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Dolce & Gabbana
Dorotennis
Yup--Hairspray. There were only a few people in the theater so it wasn't too fun.
1I have been to a Buffy "once more with feeling" sing along
and of course RHPS. over 100 times
2I attended the Buffy the Vampire Slayer sing-along in New York last year. As a huge Buffy fan myself, it was exciting (and rare) to be in a room full of fellow Buffy fanatics. However, if I were to attend a sing-along again I think I would need a few drinks in me to kickoff the night. The crowd at times border-lined creepy..but it was sure as hell entertaining. They even had their very own Buffy cast performing the scenes on a stage below the movie screen.
3Caterpillar, I was waiting for you to comment on Rocky Horror Picture Show!
4Austin has the coolest theater, Alamo Drafthouse, where they actually showed the Mamma Mia sing-along way before the studio decided to release a version. It was so much fun!
5Rocky Horror, of course. Buffy too. Missed Mamma Mia.
6Mel, i got uncomfortable at My Buffy screening, They had people acting it out too, but i dont remember any of the cast being that ....chunky.
That and I hate Tara and Willows "you make me come...plete" song.
7I'd never even heard about the sing-alongs! I'd definitely check it out
8Sound of Music @ Hollywood Bowl - it's usually every year and sells out!
9I used to go to Rocky Horror Picture Show midnight screenings a lot in high school. But calling it a "sing-along" screening makes it sound so much less cool.
10ditto to nancita
11I've been to two Rocky Horrors and they are so much fun! I've always wanted to go to a Sound of Music sing-a-long, though.
12No. To me that is the worst idea even. Now don't get me wrong, I love to sing along to a movies soundtrack but no way would I ever do so sitting in a movie theater with other people around.
13we always called them "audience partici......pation"
14Rocky Horror, a few times when I was in college. It was fun getting dressed up and singing along! I wish they'd had a Hairspray sing-along in my town....every time I watch it at home I sing along with it at the top of my lungs! Really excellent for doing chores. :0)
15I used to go to Rocky Horror every Saturday night at midnight during my junior and senior years in college. And I'd LOVE to go to a Buffy "Once More With Feeling" singalong.
16I went to The Little Mermaid sign-along in the Castro the other week, and it was glorious! Everyone got a goodie bag with a "dinglehopper," a fish-shaped clappy noisemaker, glow stick, etc. Children and grown-ups alike were there, and a good time was had by all! (Have to admit, I totally did not need the onscreen lyrics, as I was obsessed with this movie when I was 8 years old).
17Buffy!! so much fun before the stupid dvd production company sued and they had to stop doing it.
18good ol' Rocky Horror for me
19The best sing-a-long ever- The Sound of Music at the Hollywood Bowl!!! You can't beat the atmosphere, the costumes, the host. If anyone ever gets the chance, come out to LA and participate!
20The Hollywood Bowl Sound of Music Sing-A-Long just happens to be next Friday night, but there does not appear to be any tickets left. I am sure the LA based folks could search on Ebay for a ticket or two.
http://www.hollywoodbowl.com/tickets/program_detail.cfm?id=1738
21Grease and Rocky Horror!
22I went to a "Mary Poppins" one in Hollywood. It was targeted more towards younger kids, but it was still fun. I wish that the "Mamma Mia" sing-along was playing in a theater close to me!
23i've never gone to a sing a long - but i've gone to a participation of Rocky Horror - is that the same thing?
24you make a good point, caterpillar girl. now I recall my friend and I thinking the same thing..
25I took my nieces to see Sing Along Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. It was terribly cheesy, but I loved it. My nieces didn't get the thrill of Donny Osmond on the big screen
26I've been to the Rocky Horror Picture show midnight showings a few times, but that's where I draw the line!
27Hairspray - unintentionally, too!
28No, I think I would be annoyed by all of the singing by the audience after awhile. The only "sing-along" I would go to is Rocky Horror.
29yihaw10 - Wow that sounds so fun! I would definitely go to a Sound of Music sing-along too.
30maddyme, sorry I didn't see that you mentioned the Sound of Music too
Love
your avatar by the way!
31I've been to a Grease sing-a-long!
32Er, I've never been for one, and frankly, I would find it a little awkward.
33sound of music. would love to go to the sing along of sound of music.
34Would love to go to a Mamma Mia sing-along.....I love the film so much, saw it twice and everytime the advert comes on I really want to see it again!!!! Love it!
35No, but I've dying to go to Rocky Horror.
36I can't sing to save my life, but my roomates and I absolutely love bursting into song while watching Moulin Rouge and Aladdin!
37My grandma took me to Mary Poppins up in Portland... when I was 25. It was hilarious.
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