Sing-a-long Apocalypse Now Opens in Atlanta

by christopher taylor

ATLANTA--All fans of Francis Ford Coppola's landmark Vietnam film Apocalypse Now could think of was getting back into the jungle Thursday night when they showed up dressed up as Willards, Chefs, Vietcong soldiers, or Kurtzes to the premiere of the "Sing-A-Long Apocalypse Now" at the Holbeck Theatre featuring a dazzling, digitally restored version of the 1979 MGM classic.

Audience members were encouraged to not only sing along, with help from lyrics flashed on the screen, but also to recite dialogue, mumble along with Kurtz and yell out "watch out for Charlie" immediately prior to battle scenes.

The sing-a-long, which previously showed in Chicago, is scheduled for nine more dates in Atlanta before going on a national tour.

It is similar to a popular "Sing-A-Long Sound of Music" that played in London and New York several years back.

During that show, audience members were taught hand movements to go along with "Do-Re-Mi." On Thursday night, audience members were instructed to use a kazoo to mimic the whirring of the helicopter blades.

The show's producer, Gary Abrams, defends the choosing the film for a "sing-a-long" version. "I realize that Apocalypse Now has almost no singing. But it is such a great film. And people love to get more involved in great films. I mean, look at The Wizard of Oz. Look at The Rocky Horror Picture Show. This is a wonderful concept!