FLASH FRIDAY: Applause! Lady Gaga's Grandest & Greatest Moments Ever - Kennedy Center Honors, Grammys, Oscars & More

By: Feb. 27, 2015
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Today we celebrate the surprise musical theatre star of 2015 due to her incredible Oscars performance earlier this week, the one and only Lady Gaga.

Applause

"I've overheard your theory, 'Nostalgia's for geeks' / I guess, sir, if you say so, some of us just like to read," Lady Gaga eloquently sings in her recent international hit pop paean to audience adulation, appropriately titled "Applause". Coming after the awe-inspiring triptych of highly theatrical and immensely impressive performances Gaga has given as part of three major entertainment events in the last handful of months - the Kennedy Center Honors, Grammy Awards and Academy Awards - it seems clear to see and hear that a call back to the tried and true triple-threat talent of days gone by is back in vogue - with Gaga herself leading the charge. Surely, no one in the Oscars audience live at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood or watching at home this weekend was expecting a mind-blowing medley of songs from Rodgers & Hammerstein's legendary stage and movie musical classic THE SOUND OF MUSIC to have the pop culture impact that it had - but, thanks to Lady Gaga's simply spectacular treatment of the material, it is now an iconic moment to stand alongside the very best in awards show history, which is certainly no small feat. Unquestionably, Gaga gave new life to the musical version of Maria Von Trapp and subsequently not only Von Trapp's own granddaughter, but the irreplaceable original leading lady of the seminal film - the divine Dame Julie Andrews - have both given Gaga a confidant and emphatic seal of approval - and, rightly so. Indeed, in just a few short months, Lady Gaga has proven herself to be the most formidable musical theatre star in the entertainment industry without even appearing in an actual musical onstage or onscreen... yet.

Capping 2014 with an unexpected collaboration alongside jazz legend Tony Bennett on the exquisite duets album CHEEK TO CHEEK, Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett joined together to bring the Great American Songbook and its hallowed hallmarks - the music and lyrics of Irving Berlin, George & Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter and many more among them - to the ears of an entirely new generation. Taking home a Grammy Award for their efforts earlier this month, along with wowing the Grammy audience with a stupendous and frothy singing of "Cheek To Cheek" live on the telecast itself, Gaga and Bennett also preserved their palpably combustible performance on a new concert Blu-ray/DVD which is now available, as well - a presentation which first aired on PBS and which I reviewed in my Sound Off column (available here) late last year only to have Gaga herself comment on the review and share it with her nearly 45 million Twitter followers shortly thereafter. Evidently, not only does she bring the great songs of Broadway and the theatrical trappings of the world's greatest entertainment to the masses at large, but she also apparently reads BroadwayWorld! To quote another Great American Songbook standard that is perfect for for the follow-up to CHEEK TO CHEEK, "Who could ask for anything more?"

Although the Grammy Awards performance was indelible, Gaga also paid tribute to a fellow pop star-turned-Broadway baby byway of an homage to internationally renowned chart-topper and THE LAST SHIP composer/star Sting at this year's KENNEDY CENTER HONORS with a passionate and committed take on his recognizable smash "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You". Gaga's powerful and commanding delivery of Sting's material was electrifying to experience, as was her delectably convivial and adoring rapport with Bennett on CHEEK TO CHEEK in its various iterations, but no one could have been properly prepared for the astonishing display of showmanship this Sunday when Gaga tore into THE SOUND OF MUSIC with the rock star ferocity of Freddie Mercury, the razzle dazzle of Liza Minnelli and the powerhouse vocals of the very best in the music industry. Truly, it was a moment for the ages - and one that musical theatre fans can now treasure forever. Indeed, Gaga's early training as a dancer, singer and theatre performer paid off royally on Sunday night. Who could have ever guessed that the same Stefani Germonatta who starred in high school productions of GUYS & DOLLS and A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM would wind up as a Grammy Award-winning pop and jazz megastar on the stage of the Academy Awards singing musical theatre better than the very best? Well, anyone with a predilection for extreme talent, no doubt.

International pop superstardom, multiple Grammys, a game-changing style all her own, award show performance domination, two of her own GLEE tribute episodes and the newly announced headliner of the newest installment of FX's hit horror anthology series AMERICAN HORROR STORY, subtitled HOTEL, all that is left to be revealed now is precisely what musical theatre role Gaga intends to take on - and when. Undoubtedly, the possibilities are absolutely endless for what Gaga could bring to a new musical production - whether onstage or onscreen - but, what will the selection ultimately be? Fans are already speculating that FUNNY GIRL could be a hit in her hands, as could a number of other choices that would make any Broadway baby's mouth water - EVITA, GYPSY and many more. But, before anything else, give Lady Gaga what she is due most of all at this moment: applause, and lots of it.

The Fame

Let's take a look back at some of Lady Gaga's most theatrical and memorable performances to date.

First up, a pre-fame Lady Gaga makes a mark performing at a Primary Stages showcase.

Next, an early TV appearance with Gaga instructing Broadway proponent Kathie Lee Gifford on TODAY.

Now, Gaga tributes THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA with a phan-tastic 2009 VMA "Paparazzi" performance.

Gaga wows the crowd with Great American Songbook standard "Someone To Watch Over Me" live.

Also, Gaga shares a WIZARD OF OZ-inspired story at a live show. It's all about the ruby slippers, after all!

Gaga brings the WIZARD OF OZ love full-circle with a colorful GMA performance promoting ARTPOP.

Plus, Gaga masterfully mixes many media in this applause-worthy VMA turn.

Lady Gaga and Elton John make duet magic along with the Muppets in a charming holiday special.

GLEE gives props to Lady Gaga with one of several tributes. It's all about the Little Monsters!

Check out Gaga and Tony Bennett stopping the show cold with their artistry on THE TONIGHT SHOW.

Bang, Bang! Lady Gaga gets red hot in CHEEK TO CHEEK: LIVE!

Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett sing classic Broadway stunner "The Lady Is A Tramp" from BABES IN ARMS.

Lady Gaga honors Sting live with a sensitive and considerate cover of one of his biggest hits to date.

Gaga and Sting had previously teamed up onstage in 2011, believe it or not, at the iHeart Radio Festival.

Don't miss Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett's awesome Grammys performance from earlier this month.

Lastly, Lady Gaga's spectacular SOUND OF MUSIC tribute that the entire world can't stop applauding.

As a special bonus, view the brand new AMERICAN HORROR STORY: HOTEL preview with Lady Gaga.


So, what role would you like Lady Gaga to take on in the musical theatre realm most of all? Is FUNNY GIRL a perfect fit? What about GYPSY opposite a dynamite Rose? Could a SOUND OF MUSIC revival be right for 2015? Or, most of all, what about a new EVITA with this dynamic of a central diva? Whatever Gaga chooses to do, the result will undoubtedly be more than merely worthy of putting our paws up.



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