Sing along to 'Frozen' at LI theaters

A scene from the movie Disney move "Frozen," where the... — A scene from the movie Disney move "Frozen," where the bouncing snowflake highlights the lyrics of the song, "Let it Go." Credit: Disney

By STACEY ALTHERRstacey.altherr@newsday.comFebruary 7, 2014

Singing aloud in a movie theater will normally get a shush from fellow patrons, but at the new "Frozen Sing-Along," it's encouraged.

Disney's megahit "Frozen" was released Thanksgiving weekend and quickly became the highest-grossing animated movie (that is not a sequel and in its original run) in movie history, bringing in $360.7 million domestically and $510.3 million internationally.

The songs have struck a chord with the moviegoers, too -- namely Demi Lovato's "Let It Go." The "Frozen" soundtrack reigned at the top of the Billboard 200 chart for four nonconsecutive weeks, selling more than 863,000 copies.

The idea of a sing-along, where audience members can see the lyrics karaoke-style at the bottom of the screen, with a bouncing snowflake keeping tempo with the words, is a natural combination. The newest version was released Jan. 31 nationwide.

"I think it's magical," says Michael Given, 8, after a Tuesday night showing at AMC Loews in Stony Brook with his family. His brother, Cameron, 5, belted out all the songs. He has seen the movie five times and has the "Frozen" CD, as well, says his mother, Heather, of Smithtown.

Leandra Wahlen, 13, and her friends could also be heard singing the songs. She thought it was "really cool" to be able to sing aloud to the popular songs.

Overall, of the 2,754 movie theaters still showing "Frozen," 2,000 are also showing the sing-along version, according to Disney. A total $2.2 million of the sales over the its first three-day weekend accounted for the sing-along version, out of $8.9 million the movie earned that week as a whole.

Maybe it's weather-related or it might be because the original movie has been out for 10 weeks, but local movie theater managers and owners say they are not seeing big crowds for the sing-along yet, although they hope that will change this weekend.

"They should do it more often," Jordan Desner, owner of Movie Land in Coram, says about the idea of releasing this kind of special edition. "But they should do it sooner to the release."Many people coming have seen the original movie at least once, says Susan Bendheim, manager of Seaford Cinemas, but the weather has not made for strong movie ticket sales this week.

However, "it's going stronger than, let's say, 'Nut Job,' " she notes. "Maybe because we're frozen ourselves."

Where to see it

NASSAU

Hicksville 8 Broadway Multiplex, 800-315-4000

Levittown AMC Loews Nassau Metroplex 10, 516-731-5422

UA Lynbrook, 516-593-1050

Soundview Cinemas (Port Washington), 516-944-3900

Seaford Cinemas, 516-409-8700

AMC Loews Raceway 10, 516-745-6937

UA Westbury Stadium 12, 516-333-0009

SUFFOLK

Movieland Cinemas of Coram, 631-696-4200