Are you ready, Little Monsters? Oscar-, Golden Globe- and Grammy-winning superstar singer-song- writer Lady Gaga is returning to Dolby Live at Park MGM with eight performances of “Lady Gaga: Jazz & Piano” – five in June and three in July.
Presented with MGM Resorts International and Live Nation, Lady Gaga’s shows celebrate her love of The Great American Songbook – reminiscent of her brilliant collaboration with the late Tony Bennett in an album and on tour – and include some of her biggest hit songs, as well.
Contrary to her Monster and Chromatica tours, “Jazz & Piano,” as the title suggests, is a jazz-focused pro- duction where Lady Gaga is covering mostly classic jazz songs in an elegant, Old Hollywood atmosphere. She also “jazz-ifies” several of her hits and performs them in “Jazz & Piano.”
In previous performances, she has performed “Born This Way,” “Poker Face,” “Paparazzi,” “Bad Romance” and a surprise duet of “Shallow” with her “A Star Is Born” co-star Bradley Cooper.
There is no guarantee that Lady Gaga will include these songs in her setlist again, but it’s always amazing to hear her take a pop hit of hers and make it jazzy in her unique Lady Gaga way.
In anticipation and celebration of Lady Gaga’s return to Dolby Live, here are 10 songs in the Lady Gaga universe we hope she’ll perform jazz-ified at Park MGM. We wouldn’t be upset if Cooper showed up again in Las Vegas to croon with Lady Gaga, and, in the if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it category, please feel free to perform the first five songs on this list again.
‘Born This Way’
Her performance during The Super Bowl LI Halftime Show was a typically spectacular production by Lady Gaga, and her inclusion of the full lyrics continued her steadfast support of her LGBTQ+ fans.
‘Poker Face’
Having heard the beautiful a cappella version by Lea Michele and her maternal doppelganger Idina Menzel on “Glee,” a jazzy version by the original singer is natural and wonderful.
‘Paparazzi’
This song isn’t one of Lady Gaga’s biggest hits, but it’s a favorite due to its melodic and nostalgic nature. Com- plement it with piano and a jazz band, and it’s glorious.
‘Bad Romance’
One of her earliest and biggest mega-hits, a jazzified “Bad Romance” ends up being a very good romance for Little Monsters. Rah, rah-ah-ah-ah, Roma, roma-ma, Gaga, ooh-la-la!
‘Shallow’
The impromptu performance with Cooper at Dolby
Live was amazing. The Oscar duet performance was smoldering. Lady Gaga won a gold statuette. And Cooper has a great singing voice. Encore!
‘Applause’
A jazzified version of “Applause” would garner applause, applause, applause at Dolby Live.
‘Just Dance’
An OG hit alongside “Poker Face” and “Bad Romance,” “Just Dance” is a must, and it would certainly make the audience just dance – in a more classical way, and that’s OK.
‘Rain on Me’
It’s tough to decide if Lady Gaga’s up-tempo or lowkey songs are better – they’re both solid – but she seems to be more well-known for the dance singles, and “Rain on Me” is no different. Lady Gaga is at the top of her form when she’s in celebratory mode.
‘Bloody Mary’
One of Lady Gaga’s most recent singles wasn’t a big hit, but no matter. It’s campy, over-the-top, operatic and quintessential Lady Gaga. In other words – #lovesit.
‘Telephone’
We would die, just die, if Beyonce showed up to duet on this fierce, up-tempo and fabulous dance hit. We can always hope!
If You Go
June 19-20, 27 and 29-30 and July 3 and 5-6. ParkMGM.MGMResorts.com
