Show Synopsis:
The perpetual bachelor Bobby is turning 30, and his coupled friends are throwing him a party. Through conversations and songs, they explore the ins and outs of love, sex, and marriage and what it means to be single. Bobby attempts to figure out where things have gone wrong in his love life and what it is he wants out of being around another person.
Character:
Joanne, a cynical older woman with a history of disappointing relationships and marriages; very critical but for what she believes are good reasons.
Song Context:
Joanne, her husband Larry, and Robert go to a nightclub to celebrate Bobby?s 35th birthday. Joanne is drunk, embarrassed by Larry, and annoyed at the rich middle-aged women around her, who she believes are judging her.
Fun Facts:
1) The character of Joanne was based on Elaine Stritch, the actress who originally performed the character on Broadway, and the story that she once walked in a bar at 2 A.M. and asked the bartender for a bottle of vodka and a floor plan.
2) Sondheim wrote the end of this song with the intention that the audience would, in fact, be moved to rise.
3) Sondheim described Joanne and the people she associates with as having ?brittle hollowness.?
"Here's to the ladies who lunch--
Everybody laugh.
Lounging in their caftans
And planning a brunch
On their own behalf.
Off to the gym,
Then to a fitting,
Claiming they're fat.
And looking grim,
'Cause they've been sitting
Choosing a hat.
Does anyone still wear a hat?
I'll drink to that.
And here's to the girls who play smart--
Aren't they a gas?
Rushing to their classes
In optical art,
Wishing it would pass.
Another long exhausting day,
Another thousand dollars,
A matinee, a Pinter play,
Perhaps a piece of Mahler's.
I'll drink to that.
And one for Mahler!
And here's to the girls who play wife--
Aren't they too much?
Keeping house but clutching
A copy of LIFE,
Just to keep in touch.
The ones who follow the rules,
And meet themselves at the schools,
Too busy to know that they're fools.
Aren't they a gem?
I'll drink to them!
Let's all drink to them!
And here's to the girls who just watch--
Aren't they the best?
When they get depressed,
It's a bottle of Scotch,
Plus a little jest.
Another chance to disapprove,
Another brilliant zinger,
Another reason not to move,
Another vodka stinger.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!
I'll drink to that.
So here's to the girls on the go--
Everybody tries.
Look into their eyes,
And you'll see what they know:
Everybody dies.
A toast to that invincible bunch,
The dinosaurs surviving the crunch.
Let's hear it for the ladies who lunch--
Everybody rise!
Rise!
Rise! Rise! Rise! Rise! Rise! Rise! Rise!
Rise!"