Stephen Sondheim Says Lady Gaga's ‘Sound of Music’ Oscar Performance Was a 'Travesty'
Legendary Broadway composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim recently told the London Times that he felt Lady Gaga's "Sound of Music" medley at this year's Academy awards was a "travesty," ABC News reports.
Although Gaga's performance has garnered much critical acclaim, Sondheim feels that the praise comes from Gaga's versatility as a singer and not her vocal talent.
"On the Academy Awards she was a travesty," Sondheim said. "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."
In addition to slamming Gaga, Sondheim also expressed his dislike towards the "Sound of Music" and "Peter Pan" television musicals starring Carrie Underwood and Allison Williams.
Sondheim described the TV musical as "embarrassingly bad" and revealed that he made fun of them when he tuned in.
Another person who was not thrilled with Gaga's "Sound of Music" performance is "Scandal" creator Shonda Rhimes.
Rhimes tweeted that Gaga's tribute to the "Sound of Music's" Julie Andrews was "not okay" and suggested that Tony award-winner Idina Menzel should have been chosen to perform instead.
That was not okay. I mean, Idina is there. She is right there. RIGHT THERE. And oh dear God, Julie had to hear that. #Oscars2015
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) February 23, 2015
And though Sondheim and Rhimes are clearly not a fan of Gaga's "Sound of Music" rendition, the film's star, Julie Andrews, recently gushed over Gaga's Oscars medley.
"The minute I got home from the Oscars I called her. ... I confirmed that I thought she was fantastic and had done a wonderful job, and I couldn't thank her enough," Andrews told ABC News. "She really did a wonderful thing with the medley. She sang superbly and then so lovingly handed me the evening on a platter, if you know what I'm saying."
She added, "As I say, I've been a fan for a long time but she's now a very new good friend."
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