Best part is that she's so into the part that she didn't even realize she did it, resulting in a beautiful double take at 4:35 when she goes to take a drink and finally notices her glass is empty.
I was at an Alcoholics Anonymous event and she was the lead entertainer and sang this song…including throwing the martini glass over the front rows. It was shocking at first? Then hysterically funny! Everyone loved her.
My favorite thing is that she's not only singing while playing drunk, but after the end where she throws her drink, during the applause, she looks at it and sighs exasperatedly, which is the most non-drunk drunk thing I've ever seen
A lot of people don't know how hard it is to play drunk realistically. It's not about staggering around and falling down and slurring your words. Years ago one of my theatre professors said something along the lines of, "Real drunk people are trying to act like they're NOT drunk." So as an actor your job is to to act like you're drunk but trying not to act like you're not drunk, while you (HOPEFULLY) aren't drunk.
She can scream and spill and breakdown on stage, sing it beautifully, and end up demanding the audience's applause, for a full minute. This performance is legendary, gets me every time.
I am OBSESSED with this I love how she glides through the 'doll-aaa-ars' at 1:58 and the stretching of vodka stinger to I'll drink to that at 3:30 SO GOOD. Could replay this forever.
@@haydenanderson8804 I wouldn't mind if they cast another Broadway legend to belt it, just to see how they perform it. Like I would love to see Bernadette or Donna Murphy as Joanne. I think Betty Buckley and Linda Lavin are still around, so they would work too! Audra Macdonald did a beautiful rendition with Meryl Streep and Christine Baranski for Sondheim's 90th birthday celebration, so she'd be amazing too! Imelda Staunton and Bette Midler would be perfect imho if they really wanted to get another Patti if she couldn't do it, as both ladies have that same tough broad personality that Patti has for a fiesty biting Joanne.
This is, in my opinion, the best performance of this song. Another stunning performance is Barbara Walsh. Elaine Stritch is a legend and truly one of my idols but I think she fell back on her comedic chops to deliver the song. And she didn't need to. Elaine was such an extraordinary actress. Now maybe seeing her performance out of context is why it didn't deliver as well. I've only seen her do it in concerts. UGH I wish I could see her in the original production. Anyway, this is truly the best performance I have ever seen of Patti LuPone. The song made sense to me for the first time. Yes, Patti is loud. In every sense of the word - voice, presence, delivery, etc. But look at her eyes throughout. And there's even a lyric, "Look into their eyes and you'll see what they know." A good actor tells a story in their eyes. And Patti proved here why she is Patti Fucking LuPone.
With Elaine there is anger, sadness, & bitterness. One of those components is missing in Pattis performance. Pattis is easier on the ears but easier on the soul. Elaines version is dark unlike Pattis. Can’t compare the two. It would be like comparing Dolly Partons version of I will always love you to Whitney Houston’s version. Although the same song in lyric, very different for heart & soul of the listener.
Elaine's original performance is a very different take. It's actually quite unsettling and angry. She goes from being the comic relief to a very haunting bitter woman. It's honestly a soul crunching version
My brother had a way of describing her that has always stuck with me, and it is said with nothing but love and admiration. "She is the brass knuckles of Broadway." She is just a god amongst us mere mortals
Patti LuPone came to my college when I was a freshman. She was part of the first graduating class in drama from the Juilliard School. They were doing workshops with drama students in various universities. I could tell, even from my unsophisticated brain, that she was unique and a star! She had the expressive mouth, the attitude, and all the qualities we love, even then.
For anyone who tries to sing Karaoke to this version of the song: 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! PATTI SLAYS!
@@oklahomorose yes. I tried. I thought i could scream my way through it. I was wrong. I think i needed another extra lung to be able to BELT that song.
Her version of this amazing. I was lucky enough to see Patti perform it last week in the West End production of Company. I wish they would move this to Broadway, it would sweep the Tonys
This, by far, must be the greatest performance of "Ladies who lunch" the world have ever seen and will ever see! Patti LuPone does an out of earth-performance. I laugh, I cry and I will return - again, again and again to enjoy the best of the best!
There was a show on PBS where Patti Lupone sang this in front of Elaine Stritch. Elaine totally loved Patti's version. The mutual respect was very apparent.
My late husband & I have seen her in concert, my mom & I saw her in concert, both in L.A. & both were absolutely fabulous!! The singing, story telling, chatting with the audience, ALL of it a 10+.
I didn't care for this version of the show, and I kind of preferred Barbara Walsh in this role in the 2006 proudction. But.... when Patti came out and did this number, I was absolutely stunned. Highlight of this entire performance. She killed it.
Patti is the only other performer who has that genuine and perfected power of the "unhinged" the way Elaine Stritch does, patti soo casually belts, she's scary in the best way possible, a real star.
I DVR'd the "Company" concert and played this (Ladies Who Lunch) about 2 dozen times in a row. Ms. Lupone is just a superior talent. I love her. Now with this on RU-vid I can watch another 100 times!!!
This performance is a fitting tribute to Stephen Sondheim, this solemn day of his death. Patti LuPone nails the interpretation in all aspects. Hats off to these creators!
I love the little piece of business at the end of the song when Joann looks in the glass in frustration when she realizes that it is empty. She was so lost in her rage that she didn't realize she threw the contents of her glass. Brava, Patti!
I've decided my favorite part of patti's performance is her switch to vibrato at 4:05 . That expression and shoulder gesture is PRICELESS! It's the little things, the little things, the little things... that make perfect performances!
I sadly wasn't born when the show came out, so I never saw Elaine Stritch's version. Yes, there's performances on youtube, but I don't believe I ever saw her in character perform it. So, I'm only familiar with this performance and Barbara Walsh's. Gotta say, this is my favorite.
I never thought anyone could beat Elaine Stritch belting out this amazing song and then along came Patti, she’s knocks this out of the park. She’s rightfully the queen of Broadway.
I saw her perform this live in Company in London a few days ago. Incredible. The whole production was amazing, and Patti's performance was truly brilliant.
