Muvico sells most tickets in nation to `Dreamgirls'

Dreamgirls, the movie musical loosely based on the story of Diana Ross and the Supremes, may be set in Detroit, but it clearly has struck a chord with Baltimore-area audiences.

Over its first weekend in theaters, the movie pulled in more money at Arundel Mills Muvico Egyptian 24 Theatres than at any other moviehouse in the country. From Friday through Monday, according to figures provided by Paramount Pictures, moviegoers spent just over $116,000 on Dreamgirls tickets at the Anne Arundel County theater.

Playing Dreamgirls on three of its 24 screens, the Muvico was one of only three theaters nationwide to sell more than $100,000 worth of tickets to the film over that holiday period. The others theaters were in New York and Atlanta.

"It's been doing real well for us," said Crystle Walker, the theater's guest services manager. "Especially over the weekend, it was really great."

And it's not just the Muvico that's doing well by the movie. AMC's White Marsh 16 sold nearly $73,000 in tickets, ranking it 15th among the 847 theaters where Dreamgirls is playing nationwide, while AMC's Owings Mills 17 sold just over $62,000 in tickets, good for 23rd place.

Dreamgirls stars Beyonce Knowles, Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Hudson.

Chris Kaltenbach

chris.kaltenbach @baltsun.com