Barbara Walsh - Ladies Who Lunch - Company Revival

[benbjamin1234]

When me and my parents were watching this, my mom thought this womans voice wasn't great, and I sort of agree, but I think that's a good thing, because it fits with her character.

[OFreddieBoy]

@donaldcallen - you saw this version?? I am jealous. I can't stop watching this interpretation!!

[bambooguy]

@donaldcallen i think you misunderstood me we agree with patti lupone, i think she is the wrong fit for joanne i was disappointed to see her do the neil patrick harris film version of company, she does other things well i like patti lupone's version of being alive over ladies who lunch.

[seanisradd]

Elaine or bust

[bambooguy]

this is the most intelligent complex understated and potent interpretation of this song.i love patti. but patti serves the notes at the end like mugs of beer. patti has a toughness and walsh just breaks down and astonishes

[319FBMZ319]

i love her "aaaaaaaaaaaaah-I'll drink to that" perfectly done and i love the ending!

[XOOOOElizabethOOOOX]

I prefer her over Patti in this role.

[MySubmarineIsYellow]

The ending breaks my heart.

[JAR2369]

I think what makes this Joanne so good is the fact that Barbara Walsh herself is A) Able to harness to pure desperation within the character while B) Keeping a completely plastic smile and a sour disposition which is conveyed through her voice

[minimonsterism]

she's AMAZING. 

[zolluuu]

This is an interesting take on it. Usually everyone plays this so coolly. She lets it get unhinged.

[Txboy85A]

Oh my god, Barbara is sexy as hell! And that's coming from a gay boy! X^)

I was absolutely enamored with her performance here in 'Company'.

[jfl7887]

she is REDIC. so perfect.

[RaineaTrenton]

I do like how the music stops in the end. Very dramatic.

[pudgeuncle]

Mediocre. Burnett better. Stritch better. Baranski better. The best I have ever heard without peer was Faith Prince. PERFECTION.

[TheLadyWhoLunches]

For the crazy people who thought Walsh is too young: Elaine Stritch was 44 years old when she did Company. Barbara Walsh was 51.

Barbara Walsh's version is far superior to Elaine Stritch's. Stritch is funny, yes, but Barbara Walsh really becomes Joanne.

[TheLadyWhoLunches]

I discovered "The Ladies Who Lunch" & Barbara Walsh last summer, and I still can't get over them both. (Note my username.) I remember the first time I watched this. I was hypnotized! When it was over, I immediately watched it again. And again. And again. The song was stuck in my head all day: utter bliss. This is perfectly brilliant and brilliantly perfect. Did you know it was Walsh's idea to have the piano stop? Genius. Barbara Walsh is an inspiration. Such a powerful performance. Enthralling.

[neildonahue718]

This performance floors me. Elaine's version is beautiful sung and "PERFORMED", but this version captures the little poisoned seed at the germ of this song. Brilliant. The first time I saw this I found myself ripped in shreds by the end of it. Whereas I have heard the Elaine version at least fifty times but never trully "got" the song. I hope Barbara knows how good she is.

[neildonahue718]

This performance floors me. Elaine's version is beautiful sung and "PERFORMED", but this version captures the little poisoned seed at the germ of this song. Brilliant. The first time I saw this I found myself ripped in shreds by the end of it. Whereas I have heard the Elaine version at least fifty times but never trully "got" the song. I hope Barbara knows how good she is.

[aasjb4ever]

I grew up with this cast, so it's hard to say Elaine is better because her version's so signature because of her voice...idk

[pap4456]

Wonderful! Ms. Walsh brings her own style very admirably to the number originated by "Stritchie!"

[Gracie287]

Goosebumps!!

[imadonnari]

The self-loathing and desperation for self identity is haunting. While we may look at this as a theatrical performance, it never ceases to amaze me the number of people who should be singing this song about themselves.

[646guy]

2:45 it is visually not to mention vocally noticeable that she is singing about herself. Personally I enjoy both Stritch and Walsh' performance. I feel more pain, heartache and loneliness coming from Walsh though

[sexymusicallover92]

I'm not sure, I think elaines version will always be my favorite.

[tet43]

@sexymusicallover92 -I am sure, and it's Elaine for me too!

[kaiyaxrawr]

i swear to god she is jane lynch's twin

[hillevifan]

@kaiyaxrawr I think it's the eyes =]

[ieatglue44]

@kaiyaxrawr You know what? I thought she looked identical to Jane Lynch long ago, before Jane Lynch was a recognizable name. I only knew her then from Two and a Half Men and Monk.

[Necromasty]

@ieatglue44

that's what I'm sayin! I posted a comment about her seeming like Jane Lynch

[artofpoetry]

Best version since Elaine's. I love that she deliberately holds off on the vibrato. The Babs of this world don't get that...

[wackybrinyc29]

Its really interesting how this version brings more of the sarcasm and vitriol out of it in a more overt way as opposed to the staging done in the Elaine Strich version which is a bit more subtle.

Hard to pick a favorite as they both are really good for very different reasons. Interesting how the same words and music can seem so very different when used by different performers.

[mog04]

I have heard Elaine Stritch's versionmany times and I think she is also incredebly good at it, the two actresses are both very very different from one another, to compare to the two would take years because they dont claim to be one another, and what Barbara Walsh did wasnt what Barbara Walsh decided, its probably what the director and her worked on, just because you coudlnt connect with her doesnt mean it was bad, it means you couldnt connect with her message, thats neither yours or her fault.

[grainofsandfan]

I would like to hear this sung in a way that is softly and desperate.

[ivseenthechilis]

Barbara walsh is the best Joanne in my opinion!

[mclaire12]

Are the ladies trying to escape the 50's and the floors they dont even have to wax?/ Will they eventually become neurosurgeons, lawyers, perhaps just as neurotic and miserable? What does this say about the way women get this way ? none of Sondheims women can move can they?Wonder what his mother was like.

mclaire12

[LostandFounders]

Barbara Walsh does not have the same take that Elaine Strich does. That's what revivals do, they reinvent.

[lifeisart37]

this is a great performance. such a depessing song though. Joanne is such an honest character.

[Akuchan7]

I like Elaine Stritch's version better, but I must say, well done.

[JSchnabbs]

She was trying to hard at the drunk thing...at least I hope she was. Otherwise those faces and vocal inflections were just flat out mistakes...

Great voice though...

[mclaire12]

sondheim's women are miserable in a way that only the affluent could pull off.

mclaire12

[greensun92]

wow! that was great!

[bitchofliving]

This is the only time that Barbara Walsh ever sang and I didn't either turn her off or walk out. Pretty decent for her.

[koolmom46]

Im confused is she jealous of the ladies who lunch or is she one of them?

[steamedturtle]

It's both. This musical is all about being ambiguous and not having an exact answer.

[misslizzybennet]

she's not jealous. she's mocking them. but she's also one of them.

[snag2772]

I think it's one of the more realistic performaces done...I've been around many of these women!

[sillyduckling86]

I wish I could sing this or blast this in my office.... I'll drink to that...

[mog04]

Its called acting. Funnily enough her character is meant to be hammered. Or are you just another one of these 17 year old musical theatre wannabees who seem to know so much about how to perform, so much so that you cannot realise that sometimes unsustaining a voice is sometimes suitable. god you people irritate me, take some classes in acting then maybe youll understand these things.

[VicViper26]

Funnily enough, you are being incredibly rude. Yes, I know she's acting, and I don't claim to know a ton about how to perform. But you could ask the Washington Post, they seem to think I do very much so. But, have you heard Elaine Strich's version? She didn't make that last note unbearable and her point still got across. What Barbara Walsh did was a bit unnecessary.

[Asylum07MasterMadman]

ummmm she feels organic and real while elaine is more theatrical

[falafelbunny]

personally i think she does this song better than any other. she sounds so... real... not to mention ending the piano before shes finished singing was BRILLIANT.

[mog04]

i agree genuis bit of direction there, really highlighted her desperation, and realisation that shes secretely one of these women too.

[AtLastOnTheGround]

As an actress, it's not Walsh's job to entertain you. It's her job to believably play Joanne, and that's what she does.

Stritch is more of a performer than an actress, so obviously she's more interesting to watch, but she may not be playing Joanne believably every second she's onstage because for her, entertaining comes before interpretation.

[antand23]

The detractors don't know the context - this is superb.......as is Raul!

[dramatime1]

absolutely dramatical genius :)

[Trixiath]

I do NOT like this version. Her voice is so obnoxious. The notes she choses are so ugly. I understand she is acting the drunk, but god damn...that was horrible.

[asmileisspecial]

What do you mean 'the notes she chooses'? Barbara Walsh did not write the music, Stephen Sondheim did and if you have issues take it up with him. I'm sure he'll have a perfectly valid intelligent reason for choosing the notes he did.

[Trixiath]

It's NOT the same notes when you're purposely flat/sharp for acting purposes. I understand the context and character, I just think it totally destroyed a great piece of music.

[worldclassviolin]

I believe you mean that you don't like her tone. Because she sings the same notes as everyone else...its personal taste I guess. But I think it's perfect for this song

[ipodnentendo]

o.k weird

[theatrebritty]

I just can't get enough of Walsh here....

[RickvanVeldhuizen]

I really recognize my aunt in her character.

[stickyfixer]

I'm surprised he didn't make her do it with a couple of cymbols tied between her knees

[kwgybo345]

I agree. the actor/musician thing doesn't work. Imagine if there was a saxophone underneath the bedsheets in BARCELONA. This Joanne is too young, trying to act old. How can you act and do stage directions if you have a cello or saxophone? you can't.

[Asylum07MasterMadman]

this Joanna is maybe five years younger than Stritch was at most

[kwgybo345]

agreed

[kwgybo345]

@TheLadyWhoLunches sooo sorry about that. I got caught up in my little rant that I forgot who was playing joanne!XD

[TheLadyWhoLunches]

@kwgybo345 Don't worry about it ;) I heard that the instruments didn't really work for this, but they changed things for the PBS version (that's what this video was taken from), it works really well.

[LYLS3637]

Totally disagree. "Being Alive" with the piano sounded phenominal and "You Drive A Person Crazy" was incredibly unique and original. The saxophones added harmonies and opportunities for comedic moments that otherwise wouldn't exist. While agree the actor/musician concept does not work for all shows, most notably Sweeney Todd. For Company though, it works for the majority of the show.

[lottiesasquatch]

I agree. Sweeney needs a full orchestra.

[falafelbunny]

i agree. the simplicity of the settings and orchestra in this performance made you pay more attention to the ASTOUNDING acting. no singer was overpowered. I think an orchestra only takes away from this show.

[kwgybo345]

'kay, I'll give you that.

[ieatglue44]

Negative. The whole show goes on inside his head. Maybe he just imagines them playing instruments, metaphysically speaking.

[pitigam]

elaine stritch sang it so convincingly why joanne drinks

barbara walsh sang it so joyless, sad, bitter, and ludicrously painful... makes me want to drink

[UveBeenLuPwned123094]

you kind of have to watch her entire performance to see why this interpretation of this song works. her joanne is sad and bitter throughout the entire show and sort of keeps her feelings to herself, but in this scene, she releases her feelings making herself vulnerable and confused at the end.i really enjoy it..

[toonus]

Well said... Barbara was so amazing in this revival. She's now my favorite in this role.

[LethalBranMuffin]

couldn't agree more...it was this revival and the unique interpretations they all had to flesh out these wonderful characters that took this from a musical I loved to my absolute favorite musical. Absolutely brilliant.

[Hyruler916]

she's so good that it's not even funny.

[Ryuuzaki25]

Cool~

My high school just did this musical, and it was so much fun!

[ianiml414]

Ha! I'd like to see high schoolers try to pull off this show.

[MacNair]

Watch "Camp"...

[MyAnnabellLee]

@ianiml414 My college did a performance and it was TERRIBLE. The only really good part of the show was this song, and the girl who played Joanne.

[SuttaBro]

@ianiml414 I've only ever seen one, and while it was a decent attempt (I could never completely dismiss a group of talented kids with a real love for musical theater - being one myself), the whole thing just seemed like a big joke. The entertainment value of the show was more that a bunch of modern day kids were decked out in 70s garb and the actual context/message of the show was mostly, if not completely lost.

[MeshiX3]

I kinda wish they would. It would be a nice change from the usual performances. :)

[Dombrowski1959]

Elaine's version will always be a classic, but Barbara's version is truly amazing. You can FEEL the pain in her character...her words....unlike the Stritch version.

Can't wait to see more of Ms. Walsh on B'way again!

[renthead5256]

I'll drink to that!

[twinkyluva]

wow. this song is so powerful. I can totally relate to it. the words really have meaning if you listen closely.

[ferrariclln]

I got to see this production on Broadway. It was great =D

[mattro1000]

I'm kinda confused...is her character name Joanne?..if not...which one?

[b0b3rt831]

Yes, she's Joanne

[mattro1000]

thanks!

[berube4life]

...the sound is off.....

[yelanates]

No it's not.

[berube4life]

i know its not fake but when the person who uploaded this uploaded it, the sound must have gotten delayed

[Asylum07MasterMadman]

yeah i noticed that too

[doggys235]

Hello Edies!

[zunit4321]

I wish I could see her in Grey Gardens!!

[MgrWiz]

She is BRILLIANT in Grey Gardens

[LondonNow]

Absolutely brilliant! I went to see it two weeks ago, and it was wonderful. The whole cast was great, but she was amazing.

[LondonNow]

OK, my first post didn't land where I thought it would. I was referring to Grey Gardens. That's what I saw 2 weeks ago.

[ViveLeFrance98]

i prefer Barbara Walsh it has a unique quality that makes you want to keep listening and learning about her. by far the most complex character in the show in my opinion.

[RudyGbos]

No wonder Raul gives her a nod, deservedly so, when he accepts his Drama Desk Award. For anyone who acutally knows a "Joanne", you know that Barbara is using her talent to keep it authentic. BRAVA!!!

[lindieinred]

Good, but Elaine Stritch does it better :-)

[childrenschorus12]

SHOULD HAVE WON THE TONY

[doggys235]

wasn't nominated for the tony, for the drama desk awards

but I think she deserved it more than Debra Monk

[ieatglue44]

How was she not even nominated though?

[doggys235]

because apparently the theatre league only recognizes some talent

and constantine maroulis

[hippieveggie]

I love the expression Barbara Walsh has at the end just brilliant.

[kylejb]

I freaking LOVE when she belts. The ending was fabulous.

[aleafbackeast]

in my opinion, as a theatrical conductor striving for high-class art, I think that this whole production was perfect. And Barbara Walsh delivered this song exquisitely, both vocally and dramatically. Honest, desperate, and uncompromising. Brilliant.

[SpeakOut26]

extremely hard to follow Elaine. but amazing in her own way

[Arctophile2000]

exactly. if she tried to BE Elaine, it would have been awful. But she made the song her own and gave it a unique interpretation.

[SpeakOut26]

i couldn't agree with you more.

[filmguy205]

The whole Company performance was flawless. I am a theatre person and love to find fault but alas, it was wonderful, I found myself looking for the cast album online immediately after I saw the show on PBS. Thanks so much for posting it here. I really love the character that Barbara Walsh created, and sadly, I know people like the character she is creating. I think that is why it seems so terribly real to me. The bitter, depressed, self-medicating ladies who lunch, aren't they they best?

[ieatglue44]

I think it's just genius how they left her to stand alone for the last note.  That way they give her cause to immediately turn to her husband and say she wants a cigarette. She doesn't want to feel alone.

[bohemiawelcumsyou]

I didn't really get that sense of self-realization half way through the song when Joanne realizes that she herself is actually that lady who lunches that I got when Elaine and Sheila sang it. Nevertheless, I like how they made it a bit more depressing, because it's true: Alcohol is really a depressant in many cases.

[ieatglue44]

Really? I only ever got that feeling from Barbara. I never get it from Elaine. It might not be halfway through but I think it's quite apparent by the end.

[KatherineXIX]

"I didn't really get that sense of self-realization half way through the song when Joanne realizes that she herself is actually that lady who lunches"

That's because in no other version do they make it PAINFULLY obvious (sobbing violin, ritardando to about half speed). It's not the singer.

[altodivo]

Wow...dark. This woman is not happy. The way Elaine sang it she was just annoyed. Barbara is seriously depressed!

[gnattybug]

I'm actually not fond of what they did with this song. I don't know if its Barbara Walsh's voice or how the raised it, but there's something that feels off about it.

[kameyaki223]

I think it's not as snappy as the classic way Elaine Stritch does it.

IMO, It's a little more depressing and a little less ironic/bitter in this version.

[646guy]

No it's not as snappy or snippy as Elaine Stritch's Joanne but I think it's more real. I know people like Barbara's Joanne vs. Elaine's version so it resonates more with me. There's more of a vulnerability that comes through Barbara's performance than Elaine's. The strong facade she puts up is totally shattered and that comes across more than it does in the original.

[waitforthecrash]

Perfectly said.

[stylerunner7]

totally agree

[keepthemusicplaying0]

Great song and performance!!