It probably began with the Rocky Horror picture show, at least officially. I’m pretty sure audiences have been singing along with movies in theatres all across America for decades, from the first “talkies” with Al Jolson and into the Fred Astaire/ Ginger Rogers musicals. No, they certainly can’t take that away from you. Even the Beatles films had their screeching chorus, usually comprised of 12 year old girls, loud enough to rattle the rafters. But the all-time favorite films to sing along with were always the Broadway musicals turned into Hollywood musicals, with stars like Julie Andrews, Rex Harrison, Debbie Reynolds and more recently, Catherine Zeta Jones and Idina Menzel.
For some reason (go figure), the movies that attract the loudest crowds and most vocal participants are always the family films. Mary Poppins is one. Whenever a movie house or art cinema runs that classic, children as well as adults flock to the theatre to attempt to make it all the way through “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”
(It’s hard enough to type that word). For me it was West Side Story.
I knew every lyric to “The Jets Song” and “Officer Krupke.” The films and styles have changed over the years (Hello Chicago and Moulin Rouge) but the concept remains the same. Popular songs that are well written and easily remembered for their catchy melodies have a way of burrowing into our collective consciousness and we just have to sing along. We’re powerless against the rhythm and the rhyme.
The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow. That’s all you have to know. Because for some, you know, its a Hard Knock Life. Classic songs from the classic musical Annie. Theatre to Go brings this universally loved entertainment event to the Kelsey Theatre Friday, December 13 and Saturday, December 14. Audience members will receive a free participation kit, join in on the trivia and costume contests and sing along with the onscreen stars of the classic movie. Even if you can’t get your costume together, put on a big smile and come on out “cuz it’s what you wear from ear to ear, and not from head to toe that ma-ha-ha-tters!”
