Stephen Sondheim Wasn’t Impressed With Lady Gaga’s ‘Sound Of Music’ Rendition At The Oscars

It seems like everyone was impressed by Lady Gaga’s Oscar performance. When she hit the stage to perform a Sound of Music medley, in honor of the 50th anniversary, many didn’t know what to think. Was the singer going to be too theatrical? Too off base for the score? Instead, she earned praise from everyone and claimed the night as her own, as far as many outlets were concerned.

However, Stephen Sondheim, the mind behind The Sound of Music, wasn’t impressed by Lady Gaga. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the composer had a scathing review for Gaga’s performance. This is a far cry from partner Jeff Romley’s praises of the star’s performance.

He spoke with the Times and said that he “does not share [Romley’s] taste for contemporary pop music.” Okay, that’s not too bad, but when it comes down to his thoughts on Gaga’s performance, it’s not pretty.

The composer doesn’t mince words, telling the Times that “On the Academy Awards, she was a travesty. 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.”

Sondheim isn’t the only one that had his opinion. ABC show runner Shonda Rhimes sent out a tweet about Gaga’s performance as she watched the ceremony.

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

Fortunately, right after the performance, Julie Andrews joined the singer on stage and seemed extremely touched by the performance. The two embraced and Andrews seemed stunned and honored. Later on, the film’s star told Billboard that she’s not only a fan of Lady Gaga’s but she enjoyed the performance as well.

“Wasn’t she stunningly good? I’ve always been a fan but she just knocked it out of the ballpark that night. I was thrilled by her and for her. I thought it was so lovely.”

She continued, “I phoned her the moment I got home and we had about a good 25-minute chat. Which was lovely, because I’d never met her before! The first time I’d ever spoke to her, other than once on the phone, was as I walked onstage… She said she wanted to do it as a tribute to me, and she was singing everything in my key, to which I said, ‘Why? It’s so high!’ And she said, ‘Because I wanted to honor you.’ ”

What did you think of Lady Gaga’s performance?

[Photo by Kevin Winter / Getty Images]