I thought the Gaga thing was a gimmick to get attention for her and for the Oscars, but I don’t think it was the best way to pay tribute to an iconic movie on its 50th anniversary. It was surprising to see her singing in a completely different style than what she normally does, and she did well and certainly did get buzz for something people didn’t realize she could do, but she could not match Julie (in her prime) for vocals. But who could? I would have preferred clips from the movie, then bring out the whole VonTrapp family (they are all still alive). (The actors who played them, I mean).
Some of the very same names that were on our lips. 
The difference is that no one would be discussing this today if it had been Laura, Kelli, Sierra or Audra. Who knows, perhaps Lady Gaga’s performance will encourage some of her fans to purchase tickets to the new SOM tour set to head out in September.
Exactly. The purpose of a pop star performing non-pop material is to draw in those who do not know from Audra, Kelli, etc. The goal is always to expand the audience. Trotting out the aging Von Trapps would hardly interest most viewers. Gaga’s there to attract viewers. She’s bringing the music to those who might not otherwise hear it. The point is not what musical theatre fans or there parents would prefer. They are already consuming that content so there’s no need to appeal to them.
But isn’t Gaga kind of over at this point?
Not by report of my oh-so-hip urban teens so I’d guess the heartland isn’t finished with her either. They also both knew she had legit training and were unsurprised by the high quality of her work. Their playlists are much more heavy on Kendrick Lamar and Kanye.
I don’t agree. I think this helped Gaga, period. Not SOM or MT.
If you wanted the kids, wouldn’t you get Lorde or Iggy Azalea or Ariana Grande? (Though really what I want now is to see Kanye and Kendrick’s SOM tribute, thanks for that image, @Vocal1046.)
Lorde was a one-hit wonder in this house, at most. Asked the kid why not one of those three. “Because they’re awful. They can’t sing.” Gaga’s Tony Bennett collaboration gives her musical cred.
I don’t get the critical comments. I don’t think she was pretending to be JA. She certainly put her own stamp on the performance…the vocal range issue necessitated that, I guess. She was fun to watch and JA certainly seemed appreciative of the tribute.
Yes, Ms Andrews seemed genuinely delighted with the performance.
Her voice was fine, but I found the tatoos on her upper arms distracting. Somehow, they didn’t go with the songs in my mind.
When I saw Gaga do the SOM tribute, all I could think of was how most of our CC kids begin as MT performance majors, but then skills, looks, circumstances and opportunity will lead them all in different directions. When I look at Gaga, I remember that song from Gypsy, “You Gotta Get A Gimmick”. Gaga used her “gimmick” to get noticed from among the masses and gain fame and success. Now that she’s got our attention, she can shed the outrageous image (if not the tattoos) and do what she loves and have enough people listen to have a successful tour. Which reminds me, my D just informed me that she and Tony Bennett are stopping in our hometown on their tour & she and her friends want to go. Off I go to get tickets…
The tattoo thing is hard for our generation but, truthfully, that is just a paradigm shift. They are common among those under 35, more so under 30, more so under 25 and so on. In our era, tattoos were a mark of the outlaw, the biker, the loose woman. Now, doctors, lawyers, everybody has them. It’s hard for me to accept but I realize that’s my problem. Tattoos are now mainstream.
Piercings too. The eyebrow, septum, and lip are no longer bizarro. Don’t believe me? Check out today’s med students and law students and so on.
These stylistic choices are no longer a bar to career success.
Every time I go to Austin, I want a tattoo. Never anywhere else. Go figure.
I thought she was fantastic. Carrie Underwood can eat her heart out
I want the number for JA plastic surgeon!! 79 years old and she looks AMAZING!!!
She’s a Cap21 Alum. I was really impressed with her performance.
I agree with post #32. I think Gaga’s career can encourage our kids that they will find their place in this this musical theater/drama/instrumental/pop/gospel/rock world and not to get too hung up with trying to fit in. I think this is especially true for those kids (like my own) that don’t fit the traditional mode of MT. Work hard so that you are ready when the next opportunity arises.
I loved Gaga’s performance but then I always like her surprises and this was a pleasant one.