Lady Gaga Goes Gaga...for Stage Production,That Is!

A few days ago, I was incredibly lucky to snag amazing 4th row tickets to see Lady Gaga perform at Madison Square Garden. I have to admit that while I enjoy some of her songs, I have never been a huge fan of her work. However, I have heard from friends how amazing her shows are, so I couldn't wait to take my seat and see what all the hype was about. I had no idea what a crazy night I was in for!



While Lady Gaga's music and singing were great, it was the stage production and technology that took the show to another level...quite literally. Gaga and her backup dancers spent at least half of the show teeter-tottering on mechanical platforms that elevated them to great heights above the stage. The platforms were electronic, so that Gaga didn't have to bother with stairs. She simply took her place, a stage hand in back pressed a button, and the platform dislodged itself from the stage floor, climbing to new heights as if by magic.



The show also relied heavily on the use of video images to allow Gaga time to change into a number of crazy, over-the-top costumes. While she was changing, huge images of her posing for the camera were pojected onto large, half circular screens, pumped with purple and green backlighting, and blurred by copious amounts of haze from hidden smoke machines. There was even a moment where Gaga herself posed and danced behind one of the screens, so that her huge shadowed image was all the audience could see. It was a really fun sequence.



The height of the show took place when Lady Gaga fought what she referred to as "the Fame Monster." A curtain parted to reveal a huge, 20-foot tall monster-fish, complete with jagged teeth and electric yellow eyes. Mechanically built, the monster actually glowed, moved, and chased Lady Gaga around the stage, albeit very slowly. It was an incredible way to end the show, and a testament to the ways that an understanding of technology and mechanics can enhance the performing arts. I have to say though, Lady Gaga is probably the only star who can pull off such a crazy performance.





If you have the chance to see Gaga on tour, be sure to check it out...you are in for a totally unique experience!