$25 to watch Dreamgirls early in New York
DAILY NEWS WRITERS
Tuesday, December 12th, 2006
How much is too much to go see a movie?
For hundreds of people lining up outside the Ziegfeld Theater this week, the answer must lie somewhere above $25 - because that's what they're willing to pay to see "Dreamgirls."
When the critically acclaimed movie opens Friday, the Ziegfeld will enjoy an exclusive 10-day run before it has a wide release Christmas Day.
The first two days already are sold out, and the $25 tickets are going fast for other days.
"I'm a big fan of musicals. I decided, 'Why not?'" said Angelo Cilia, 36, of Fort Greene, Brooklyn, who paid $125 for five tickets to opening night.
The cost of admission may be more than double the cost of a normal $11 ticket to the movies - but it comes with bragging rights for being the first to see Beyoncé and her silver-throated sidekicks on the big screen.
It also comes with a 42-page, limited-edition collectors glossy program about the DreamWorks movie.
The film, based on a Broadway musical about a 1960s soul group's path to stardom, also stars Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murphy, and has gotten rave reviews. Jennifer Hudson from "American Idol" and Tony-award winner Anika Noni Rose complete Beyoncé's star-studded songbird trio.
"It's supposed to be the best film of the year," said Howard Goldberg, a businessman from Hell's Kitchen. "I would pay $25 dollars for this."
But skeptics called the "Dreamgirls" hype a sheer nightmare.
"Movies are already expensive," groused Brittni Galindo, 18, a college student from California. "I think the price is a bit much."
Then again, it could be the vehicle for a dream date: Add in two buckets of popcorn and sodas, subway fare and a $29.95 souvenir book and you're talking about dropping $100.
