The Ladies Who Lunch

Stephen Sondheim's song "The Ladies Who Lunch" is a sharp, satirical commentary on the lives of affluent women who fill their days with seemingly trivial pursuits. The song, performed by the character Joanne in the musical *Company*, serves as a toast to these women, but it is laced with irony and a biting critique of their lifestyles. Joanne's sardonic tone and the repetitive toasts highlight the emptiness and superficiality she perceives in their daily routines.

The lyrics paint vivid pictures of different types of women: those who lounge in caftans planning brunches, those who rush to classes in optical art, and those who play the role of the dutiful wife. Each verse exposes the futility and dissatisfaction underlying their activities. For instance, the women who go to the gym and fittings, obsessing over their appearance, are depicted as grim and self-critical. The girls who play smart are shown to be exhausted by their relentless pursuit of cultural and intellectual activities, while the wives are portrayed as clinging to magazines to stay connected to a world beyond their domestic confines.

The song culminates in a broader reflection on the human condition, acknowledging that everyone, regardless of their social role, faces the inevitability of death. The repeated call to "rise" at the end of the song can be seen as a call to action, urging these women—and perhaps the audience—to rise above the superficiality and find more meaningful pursuits. Sondheim's clever use of humor and irony not only entertains but also provokes thought about societal expectations and the true value of one's actions and choices.