It was nearly 10 years ago that I fell in love with Lady Gaga, through catchy pop-dance classics like \u201cPoker Face,\u201d \u201cLoveGame\u201d and \u201cBad Romance.\u201d The romance continues with her soulful and visceral latest release, Joanne. I never thought I\u2019d get to see and hear her perform the hits I\u2019ve listened to on repeat for years, let alone up close in the luxurious Encore Theater in celebration of a new year.
As soon as Gaga first took the stage on December 30, clad in a floor-length, hooded, backless gown that sparkled like a beacon, she captivated the show\u2019s 1,000 attendees. Her voice sounded fantastic, better live than recorded, and she performed with New York jazz musicians Brian Newman and his quintet and Steve Wynn\u2019s ShowStoppers orchestra. It was as if we\u2019d been transported to the Prohibition era, with Gaga as time-traveling muse. The six-time Grammy winner opened with \u201cTheme From New York, New York,\u201d and whirled through favorites like classic show tune \u201cBewitched, Bothered and Bewildered,\u201d Cher\u2019s \u201cBang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)\u201d and Edith Piaf\u2019s \u201cLa Vie en Rose,\u201d which she dedicated to Mr. Wynn and sang almost entirely in French.
There was also a brief piano performance during which Gaga began to play a rendition of \u201cBad Romance\u201d before switching to \u201cMillion Reasons,\u201d per an audience member\u2019s request. We became her backup singers as she paused to let us fill in the lyrical gaps, a rare opportunity to become part of a dynamic performance\u2014but I\u2019ve always felt connected to her lyrics. I might have questioned her alien-like metamorphosis on Born This Way, but I\u2019ve come to love and embrace her bold defiance of societal norms. Friday night marked an exceptional end to a year in need of her love, confidence and class.<\/p>\n

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