Published: 01/31/2008
Out of this world Teen star is hottest ticket in town as 'Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus' hits the big screen
Miley Cyrus, as Hannah Montana, stars in the big-screen version of her American concert tour, 'Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert.' JEFF CHRISTENSEN/Associated Press
Staff writer
Many parents have already spent hundreds of dollars on Hannah Montana concert tickets.
This week, they'll be opening up their wallets again for movie tickets.
Tomorrow "Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert" hits local cinemas for one week only.
But if you want to see the concert film, you'll have to open that wallet quickly - tickets for showings are few and far between across the country.
The Disney Digital 3D film captures singing sensation Miley Cyrus during her 54-date concert tour, one of the most sought-after shows around. In the movie, Miley, star of Disney Channel's "Hannah Montana" series, performs as both a solo artist and as her television character, Hannah Montana.
The 15-year-old daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus plays a normal teen by day, superstar by night on her "Hannah Montana" show.
The concert movie was the No. 1 seller on MovieTickets.com its first week on sale in early December. Since then, it's been outselling some of the Harry Potter movies.
"We definitely saw the demand early on," said Joel Cohen, general manager and executive vice president for Movietickets.com, which serves more than 100 cinema chains.
Cohen wouldn't say how many tickets have been sold so far. But as more shows sell out, more theaters are adding screenings of "Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert."
At press time, tickets were still available for showings at local theaters. The film is now the site's eighth best-selling presale, but as receipts increase, it moves higher and higher up the list. Cohen believes it will reach the Top 5 before it opens tomorrow.
"Even the noon shows are sold out," marveled mother Suzanne Goodman of North Andover, who already took her two children to the concert in Worcester. "Who is going to see that? Preschoolers?"
That may well be, because Hannah Montana mania hits children of all ages.
"I like her songs, and she is a good role model. She also has very good taste in clothes," said Suzanne's daughter, 10-year-old Dominique Goodman, who watches the TV show four to five times a day.
Grace Dolan of Gloucester, who also watches the show every day, would have to agree.
"I like her singing. I like it how her voice goes high when she is really excited," said the 7-year-old.
