You loved almost everything about “Wicked” the movie: the soaring musical numbers, the eye-popping special effects, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. But there was one thing missing: you. You sat politely in the darkness, sipping your soda and nibbling your popcorn, when what you really want to do was belt out the tunes you know by heart. And soon you can. Universal Pictures this week announced that approximately 1,000 theaters across the United States — including several in the Chicago area — will offer “sing-along” screenings of “Wicked” on Christmas Day. The show opened in theaters Nov. 22. Jim Orr, president of domestic theatrical distribution for Universal Pictures, said in a statement that the screenings will “offer fans a unique opportunity to become part of the story they’ve embraced so enthusiastically. There’s something extraordinarily special about experiencing this beloved musical together as a community, and we’re thrilled to create that opportunity this holiday season.” And if you only know, say, the chorus to “Popular,” the screenings will also feature subtitles. Until this week’s announcement, AMC Theatres had made it clear, with a movie-specific pre-show announcement, that it didn’t want patrons singing along during “Wicked.” “At AMC Theatres, silence is golden. No talking, no texting, no singing, no wailing, no flirting and absolutely no name-calling,” says an announcer over snippets of the movie. For more information about specific theaters offering sing-along showings, go to wickedmovie.com There was no singing — or any other visible forbidden behavior such as painted faces — at an afternoon showing the Chicago Sun-Times took in a couple of weeks ago. “I did appreciate that there was no singing. When you go to the movies, you should be there to watch. ... If people want to paint their faces green, why not?” said movie-goer Jane Hyland, 22, visiting from Boston. According to some movie-goers on social media, there have been problems with folks applying green face paint to try to look like the character Elphaba, played by Erivo. One TikTok video features a young woman painting her face green before heading out to an AMC theater, where she says she was told to remove her makeup. “This the dumbest rule I’ve ever heard,” the woman says on the video. But go to AMC’s website and that rule is spelled out: “We love it when our guests dress up for the occasion, however, no weapons, even ‘prop’ weapons, can be brought in. Also, face paint, helmets, masks (except for standard face masks used explicitly for health and safety reasons), or anything that covers the face are prohibited.” Movie theaters across the United States banned face paint, masks and prop weapons following a 2012 screening of “The Dark Knight Rises” in Aurora, Colorado, in which James Holmes — dressed head to toe in body armor — killed 12 people and wounded dozens of others. Holmes went on trial and was later convicted on all charges. He is serving life in prison without the possibility of parole. Plenty of folks also have been pulling out cell phones and posting videos of parts of “Wicked” online. “We have no problem with singing, but cell phone videos would be an issue for copyright reasons,” said Chris Johnson, CEO of Classic Cinemas, a small theater chain headquartered in Downers Grove.
As the football world eagerly awaits the Manchester Derby, the announcement of Anthony Taylor as the referee only adds to the anticipation and intrigue surrounding the match. With his wealth of experience, professionalism, and expertise, Taylor is sure to uphold the standards of the game and contribute to an exciting and memorable derby experience for players and fans alike.Nick Kern came off the bench for 20 points and 13 rebounds as Penn State remained unbeaten with an 85-66 thumping of Fordham in a semifinal of the Sunshine Slam on Monday in Daytona Beach, Fla. The Nittany Lions (6-0), who will play either San Francisco or Clemson for the tournament title on Tuesday, put four other players in double figures. Zach Hicks scored 16 points, while Puff Johnson added 15. Ace Baldwin and Yanic Konan Niederhauser each chipped in 12 points. Penn State sank nearly 53 percent of its field goal attempts and earned a 38-30 advantage on the boards, more than enough to offset missing 12 of its 32 foul shots. Four players reached double figures for the Rams (3-4), led by 15 points apiece from Jackie Johnson III and reserve Joshua Rivera. Romad Dean and Jahmere Tripp each added 13. Fordham was as close as 56-49 after Tripp made a layup with 14:25 left in the game. But the Nittany Lions responded with a 16-1 run, capped with a layup by Kern for a 22-point lead at the 9:33 mark, and they never looked back. The main storyline prior to tipoff was whether Penn State could continue its torrid early start that saw it come into the day leading Division I in steals and ranked second in scoring at 98.2 points per game. The Nittany Lions certainly played to their billing for most of the first half, establishing a 21-8 lead at the 10:08 mark via Hicks' three-point play. Fordham predictably struggled early with the pressure defense, committing four turnovers in the first four minutes. But the Rams got their bearings over the last 10 minutes and made some shots. They got as close as four on two occasions late in the half before Penn State pushed the lead to 42-34 at the half. The officials were busy in the half, calling 23 fouls and administering 27 free throws. --Field Level MediaPanvel, Karjat, Uran, Alibag, Shrivardhan, Mahad Assembly Constituencies Election Results 2024Colleagues and students who have worked closely with Liu Yang expressed their surprise and disappointment at the news of his resignation. Many remembered him as a mentor who not only taught them the technical aspects of accounting but also instilled in them a strong work ethic, critical thinking skills, and a passion for the finance industry.
Thousands of demonstrators filled the streets of Tbilisi, Georgia, Saturday, building barricades, breaking windows and setting off fireworks outside parliament to protest the government’s withdrawal from talks to join the European Union. The crowds were met by riot police firing water cannons and tear gas, according to reports . Protests also erupted in multiple other cities across the former Soviet republic. The protests were the latest, and biggest, since the anti-Western ruling party was elected last month in a contest that the pro-EU opposition has claimed was fixed. As the chaos unfolded demonstrators burned an effigy of Georgia’s richest man, the ruling party’s founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, on the steps of parliament, and a small fire, possibly caused by fireworks, briefly burned inside the building. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accused the pro-EU opposition of plotting a revolution and the State Security Service said political parties were attempting to “overthrow the government by force.” The US said that the decision to suspend the process of joining the EU “goes against the promise to the Georgian people enshrined in their constitution to pursue full integration into the European Union and NATO.” By suspending the process, Kobakhidze’s Georgian Dream party “has rejected the opportunity for closer ties with Europe and made Georgia more vulnerable to the Kremlin,” the State Department said in a statement. The government’s “various anti-democratic actions have violated the core tenets of our U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership,” the statement said, announcing that the US has suspended the partnership . It urged Georgia to “return to its Euro-Atlantic path,” investigate election irregularities and repeal anti-democratic laws that limit protest. With Post wiresIn conclusion, the "Spring Dawn Plan" and its "Factory Direct Sales" initiative are a game-changer for industrial belt merchants looking to achieve remarkable milestones in the online marketplace. By fostering transparency, efficiency, and quality, this innovative program is empowering businesses to connect with consumers in a direct and impactful way. With a focus on data-driven insights, competitive pricing, and comprehensive support, the initiative is poised to drive growth, success, and excellence for merchants in the digital age.
Single heat wave wiped out millions of Alaska's dominant seabird
Kentucky ends Mizzou volleyball's season in Sweet 16The suspect, identified as John Smith, a disgruntled former employee of United Health, allegedly planned and executed the attack with precision. Witnesses described a harrowing scene as Smith approached the CEO, Mark Johnson, and pulled out a concealed weapon before opening fire. The CEO was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, where he remains in intensive care.
Text-recognition election audit verifies voting machine count in GeorgiaSony is finally bringing the second part of its hit game series, The Last of Us, to PC on April 3, 2025. This will be the remasted version of the game that launched on PS5 in January 2025. Since it is the upgraded version of the game, it will also include the No Return roguelike mode, some lost levels with director commentary, a free-play guitar mode, and more. It will also be optimized for PC, but none of those specifics have been released yet. If I had to guess, it will likely include things like ultrawide monitor support, PC GPU upscaling technologies, and unlocked frame rates. Reports have stated that the PC version of the game has been finished for a while but has been delayed to make sure it launches in conjunction with the second season of the TV show, which is also slated for a spring 2025 release. All of that being said, when The Last of Us: Part I was released in March of 2023 on PC, it was rife with issues, so it’s probably a good thing that the sequel has spent more time being worked on and will hopefully launch much smoother. Source: Naughty DogFeiran's arrival at Plymouth has raised expectations among fans and pundits alike, as the club looks to build on their solid performances in recent seasons and push for promotion to the Championship. With Feiran's vast experience at the highest levels of football, including his time at Manchester United where he worked with some of the world's best players, there is a sense of optimism surrounding Plymouth's prospects under his guidance.
Team claims NASCAR rescinded approval to buy new charter unless federal antitrust suit is droppedOpenAI's legal battle with Elon Musk reveals internal turmoil over avoiding AI 'dictatorship'
When Manchester United signed the young prodigy, they had high hopes for him. With his natural flair, skill, and goal-scoring ability, he was expected to be a key player for the team for years to come. However, as time went on, it became evident that he was struggling to cope with the pressure and demands of playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world.Title: In-depth Analysis of Political Bureau Meeting: Six Positive Signals EmergingNone
Report: Arsenal Considering Strengthening Left Winger Position! What About the Attack? Gunners' Expected Goals Ranking Near the Bottom
To achieve these goals, the central government has pledged to implement a series of support measures to bolster the real estate market. These measures include but are not limited to:CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Front Row Motorsports, one of two teams suing NASCAR in federal court, accused the stock car series Thursday of rejecting the planned purchase of a valuable charter unless the lawsuit was dropped. Front Row made the claim in a court filing and said it involved its proposed purchase of the charter from Stewart-Haas Racing. Front Row said the series would only approve it if Front Row and 23XI Racing dropped their court case. “Specifically, NASCAR informed us that it would not approve the (charter) transfer unless we agreed to drop our current antitrust lawsuit against them,” Jerry Freeze, general manager of Front Row, said in an affidavit filed in the U.S. District Court of Western North Carolina. The two teams in September refused to sign NASCAR’s “take-it-or-leave-it” final offer on a new revenue sharing agreement. All other 13 teams signed the deal. Front Row and 23XI balked and are now in court. 23XI co-owner Michael Jordan has said he took the fight to court on behalf of all teams competing in the top motorsports series in the United States. NASCAR has argued that the two teams simply do not like the terms of the final charter agreement and asked for the lawsuit be dismissed. Earlier this week, the suit was transferred to a different judge than the one who heard the first round of arguments and ruled against the two teams in their request for a temporary injunction to be recognized in 2025 as chartered teams as the case proceeds. The latest filing is heavily redacted as it lays out alleged retaliatory actions by NASCAR the teams say have caused irreparable harm. Both Front Row and 23XI want to expand from two full-time cars to three, and have agreements with SHR to purchase one charter each as SHR goes from four cars to one for 2025. The teams can still compete next season but would have to do so as “open” teams that don’t have the same protections or financial gains that come from holding a charter. Freeze claimed in the affidavit that Front Row signed a purchase agreement with SHR in April and NASCAR President Steve Phelps told Freeze in September the deal had been approved. But when Front Row submitted the paperwork last month, NASCAR began asking for additional information. A Dec. 4 request from NASCAR was “primarily related to our ongoing lawsuit with NASCAR,” Freeze said. “NASCAR informed us on December 5, 2024, that it objected to the transfer and would not approve it, in contrast to the previous oral approval for the transfer confirmed by Phelps before we filed the lawsuit,” Freeze said. “NASCAR made it clear that the reason it was now changing course and objecting to the transfer is because NASCAR is insisting that we drop the lawsuit and antitrust claims against it as a condition of being approved.” A second affidavit from Steve Lauletta, the president of 23XI Racing, claims NASCAR accused 23XI and Front Row of manufacturing “new circumstances” in a renewed motion for an injunction and of a “coordinated effort behind the scenes.” “This is completely false,” Lauletta said. Front Row is owned by businessman Bob Jenkins, while 23XI is owned by retired NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan, three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin and longtime Jordan adviser Curtis Polk. NASCAR had been operating with 36 chartered teams and four open spots since the charter agreement began in 2016. NASCAR now says it will move forward in 2025 with 32 chartered teams and eight open spots, with offers on charters for Front Row and 23XI rescinded and the SHR charters in limbo. The teams contend they must be chartered under some of their contractual agreements with current sponsors and drivers, and competing next year as open teams will cause significant losses. “23XI exists to compete at the highest level of stock car racing, striving to become the best team it can be. But that ambition can only be pursued within NASCAR, which has monopolized the market as the sole top-tier circuit for stock car racing,” Lauletta said. “Our efforts to expand – purchasing more cars and increasing our presence on the track – are integral to achieving this goal. “It is not hypocritical to operate within the only system available while striving for excellence and contending for championships,” he continued. “It is a necessity because NASCAR’s monopoly leaves 23XI no alternative circuit, no different terms, and no other viable avenue to compete at this level.”
Dan Walters: A $165 billion revenue error still haunts California’s budgetMoni scores 25 in North Dakota State's 91-62 win against Wisconsin-StoutGaetz saga moves toward final act in House
In the world of basketball, few players have captured the imagination of fans and the respect of their peers quite like Yao Ming. Standing at a towering 7 feet 6 inches, the Chinese basketball icon transcended boundaries and became a global ambassador for the sport. With a career marked by numerous accolades and accomplishments, many have wondered when Yao Ming will be inducted into the prestigious Basketball Hall of Fame. However, recent discussions surrounding his potential induction have raised an important question: does Yao Ming need to give his consent before being enshrined in the hallowed halls of basketball history?
The President's latest threat comes amid long-standing tensions between the United States and its NATO allies over defense spending. Trump has repeatedly criticized other member countries for not meeting their agreed-upon defense spending targets, arguing that the burden of maintaining the alliance falls disproportionately on the US. The President's frustration with NATO's financial arrangements has been a recurring theme throughout his time in office, but his latest threat to actually withdraw from the organization marks a significant escalation.
As consumers explore the "Fight Fight Fight" perfume and its message, they are encouraged to consider the broader implications of Trump's latest venture. Is this merely a marketing ploy, or does it reflect deeper convictions and aspirations? Only time will tell how the fragrance is received and what impact it may have on the fragrance industry and beyond.US senator says mysterious drones spotted in New Jersey should be 'shot down, if necessary'
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