March 16, 2015

Stephen Sondheim calls Lady Gaga's Oscars performance a "travesty"

Many people were looking at Lady Gaga's Sound of Music tribute at the Oscars this year as a positive change for her. Some even speculated that she could be taking her career in a new direction.

My guess is that after six or so years, people are tired of seeing her prance around in Halloween costumes, growling and crawling around on stage to try and be "artistic", and just want to hear her sing.

What, you don't like my style?

Not everyone loved her performance though, and legendary Broadway composer Stephen Sondheim is one such person. He said of her performance:
"On the Academy Awards she was a travesty."
And...
"It was ridiculous, as it would be from any singer who treats that music in semi-operatic style. She had no relationship to what she was singing. What people liked was her versatility."

 Ouch! And here I thought she was supposed to be a jazz musical theater expert?

What did you think of her performance? Do you think people only enjoyed it because it was unexpected coming from her? Or do you think she did a good job?