The question of whether a pop concert can be eligible for a Tony nomination for Best Musical was a hot topic on Friday night at Madison Square Garden. This was the venue where Lady Gaga made her New York debut with the theatrical and spectacular Mayhem Ball, a vibrant, hit-filled extravaganza that is set to run for five more performances over the coming weeks. “I’m sure you can tell if you listen to the music that I’m from here,” the New York native, age 39, shared with the sold-out crowd, visibly emotional. “Everything about my artistry, I think, was born in this town.”
In today's entertainment landscape, it has become almost customary for an arena pop show to be divided into acts—though Gaga humorously insisted they shouldn't be called "eras." This structure often resembles an epic journey of a heroic figure. Throughout the Mayhem Ball, Gaga embraced this grandiosity while also playfully poking fun at it. Before her grand entrance, a pre-recorded image of the pop icon floated above the stage, adorned in a striking red Elizabethan collar, and writing with an enormous red feather pen. The show’s subtitle, “The Art of Personal Chaos,” flashed across the screen in gothic script, setting the stage for an engaging narrative that celebrates the chaotic beauty of embracing multiple, conflicting aspects of oneself.
Before delivering a punchy rendition of “Poker Face,” one of her iconic 2008 electro-pop anthems, Gaga confronted an onstage doppelgänger dressed in an outfit reminiscent of her earlier days—complete with face-obscuring lace and an imperial crown. “Ugh,” sighed present-day Gaga with an exaggerated eye roll. This playful banter showcased how Gaga has expanded her presence beyond music. Since earning an Oscar nomination for her film debut in Bradley Cooper’s 2018 adaptation of “A Star Is Born,” she has become a compelling figure on screen while continuing to shine as a pop star.
The Mayhem Ball is a testament to how Gaga has skillfully woven her diverse strengths as an entertainer into a cohesive stage experience. The show combined impressive live singing, kinetic choreography, and a touch of drama and comedy. The first act stood out as a sensory overload of fiery colors and stunning visual surprises, seamlessly connecting tracks from her latest album, “Mayhem,” with the harder-edged material from her 2011 album, “Born This Way.”
The show opened with “Bloody Mary,” a deep cut that gained popularity in 2022 after being featured in the Netflix horror-comedy “Wednesday.” Gaga emerged from the stage's center, delivering operatic high notes while donning a dress that resembled a two-story crimson birthday cake. As her massive skirt parted, it revealed a cage containing seven dancers ready to unleash the energetic choreography of her infectious hit, “Abracadabra.”
A highlight of the second act was Gaga’s transformation of her 2009 hit “Paparazzi” into a beautifully sung piano ballad. As she navigated the catwalk on metallic crutches, the train of her flowing white gown billowed behind her, lit up like a rainbow—a nod to her devoted queer fan base. The performance of “Born This Way,” an anthem for the LGBTQ+ community, felt particularly poignant amidst ongoing challenges to LGBTQ+ rights.
Despite the show’s extravagant elements, it was impressive how much of it resonated with the audience. From the “Beetlejuice”-inspired drag accompanying the banger “Zombieboy” to the dramatic staging of “Alejandro,” each element added to the overall narrative. Gaga even took moments to connect directly with her fans, such as when she settled at a piano during the post-credits sequence, performing her 2024 duet “Die With a Smile” and the heartfelt “Hair,” a song of self-acceptance from “Born This Way.”
One of the most unforgettable moments of the Mayhem Ball was its stripped-down finale. As the credits rolled, showcasing the extensive team behind the show, a camera captured Gaga backstage in a wig cap and black leotard, wiping off her makeup. While singing the upbeat “How Bad Do U Want Me,” she meandered through the labyrinthine halls beneath the stage, gathering dancers as she went. The performance culminated in a triumphant final curtain call, set to “Heavy Metal Lover” from “Born This Way.”
Lady Gaga demonstrated not only her deep connection to New York but also her profound relationship with the stage. The Mayhem Ball beautifully encapsulated her journey as an artist, leaving the audience wondering if a pop concert could indeed be worthy of a Tony nomination for Best Musical.
