SATURDAY SPECIAL: Joseph Gordon-Levitt Lights Up (Broadway)

In honor of accomplished television and film actor - and one of the stars of the movie of the summer, INCEPTION - Joseph Gordon-Levitt, this Saturday Special shall shine some light on the triple-threat A-list star who is currently in preparation for his theatrical debut at Town Hall on October 28th. All eyes of Hollywood and Broadway will be on him on that momentous night, but if the following clips - or, furthermore, a past featured clip in this column, his SNL hosting gig showcasing him positively nailing SINGIN' IN THE RAIN's "Make 'Em Laugh" complete with athletic and acrobatic accoutrement - are any indication, there is no need to worry. At all. INCEPTION may have all been a dream, but it seems so, too, is the multi-faceted talent of this star-on-the-rise - heck, megastar - taking time out of his packed schedule to do a night of songs, skits, shorts and other surprises which shall introduce a whole new audience to his astonishing gifts exceeding far beyond the television star - of THAT 70s SHOW and 3rd ROCK FROM THE SUN - or films - like (500) DAYS OF SUMMER - that he is best known for, but revealing the blooming and blossoming Broadway baby at the core of his soul. All shall be revealed, but first get gaga for JGL and brush up vous francais for some Brel ala Broadway, Deschanel duets, "Express Yourself", and much more. WARNING: These clips contain explicit language!

Star au Natural

"If You Want To Put These Elsewhere On The Internet, That Seems To Be OK." -- Joseph Gordon-Levitt

So be it.

He sings. He dances. He stars in blockbuster Hollywood movies. But, like the title of perhaps his most famous film pre-INCEPTION, (500) DAYS OF SUMMER, the proof in the pudding of his performances lie between the parentheses. What I mean to say is that his greatest talents may be largely unknown to those who are not in the YouTube/iTunes know-how: as great an actor he is, he is even better onstage, as impossible as that seems. Watch his SNL episode from last year on Hulu and tell me he couldn't go toe-to-toe and tap-for-tap with any hoofer on Broadway. His charm is overflowing, as is his talent, and it is a true gift to Broadway - much like Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig taking time out last season to do Broadway in A STEADY RAIN - to have an A-list Hollywood mega-star of this magnitude on a New York stage, yet precisely that will be taking place on October 28th at Town Hall. Get your tickets now after you partake in some terrific takes from JGL's many concert and music video appearances from the last few years. And the worst thing of all is that while watching him you never, ever feel jealous that he really does have it all. Jersey Shore-style GTL? JGL is the brightest star in the real universe of compelling, contemporary and cool.

One of the hottest videos of the month has been this YouTube clip of Joseph Gordon-Levitt doing a solo, unadorned deconstruction of Lady Gaga's dance floor anthem "Bad Romance". As "Poker Face" with Idina Menzel and Lea Michele on GLEE proved earlier this year, Gaga lends herself especially well to a barebones treatment of her material - because, after all, they are well-written songs - so this guitar and JGL treatment of the song reveals many intricacies and idiosyncrasies - the one about the Hitchcock references is oh-so-eruditely acknowledged by JGL himself - and should make the songwriter herself more than proud, I'm sure. Ra rah, indeed!

Here we have a particularly powerful performance of the Carole King blues barn-burner "Natural Woman" courtesy of JGL at another live benefit gig. It's just a one-off, but it still holds sway because of the way he weaves the well, tapestry - also the name of the King album it originally comes from - of the story. While the song choice may seem slightly suspect at first - wait 'til you see what's up next - you shall soon be won over by the new sides to the song revealed in this sex-switched treatment of it. JGL is all about the reinvention, and his enthusiasm for the material he sings can be seen and felt and even experienced by merely viewing a YouTube clip of it. See if you don't agree with that after this. Even Carole King could learn a thing or two.

Next is a clip from another recent live concert appearance by JGL in which he performs another curious song selection, this one coming from the canon of Lady Gaga's pop music precursor, Madonna. Impassioned, imperative and impressive is Gordon-Levitt's interpretation of the idiosyncratic power ballad. He makes it his own, which is the highest praise that can possibly be paid to a pop anthem ala Madonna. He makes it real for himself, and the result is much more than merely expressive. It's strained, it's sporadically shrill - yet it's stupendously committed. Thus, it's better for its slight imperfections. As is the best of all things. Experience it yourself and see why sometimes it's in the performance over prudish pitch-perfection - and, anyway, that key is calamitous for a man! Sing it, boy!

As if a Gaga and Madonna weren't enough to prove that he can do absolutely anything and win an audience over with his suavity, sensitivity and focused effusiveness which becomes almost addictive, try watching this clip just once! Singing a song that may not be known to as wide an audience as the others, this flowing Jacques Brel masterpiece is imbued with the characteristic lilt, sentimentality and sensuality of a Brel ballad at its best. He gets it and we know he gets it. From the stoniest heart this exquisite performance of "La Valse a Mille Temps" could elicit a tear or three. Or an onslaught of them. He quite simply slaughters it. Brel would be bemused. Et amuse.

Here we have an extra-special treat courtesy of Zooey Deschanel. Let her explain it to you, but know full well before viewing that whenever JGL does a duet or any performance whatsoever with Zooey Deschanel - musical, dramatic or otherwise - that something magical always results. If you haven't seen (500) DAYS OF SUMMER, see why you have to do so here - and cut a rug while you're at it!

As if that just wasn't quite enough proof of the palpable chemistry Joe and Zoe share, take a look at this fantastic clip - a delicious and debauched parody of SID & NANCY!

Be sure to stay tuned to BroadwayWorld.com for all things Joseph Gordon-Levitt as his Town Hall debut approaches! Who knows what might be in store for that night - and for this site before that surefire spectacular night arrives! Wait and see!