Mamma Mia!

Last October, I had the pleasure of seeing the live Broadway show Mamma Mia!.  It was nothing short of magnificent.  I was blown away with the power projected throughout a 5,000-seat auditorium by 1 person's voice, the amazing choreography of dozens of people on stage simultaneously and the visual feast it engendered. These people have devoted their lives to song and dance, and it showed.  They were so much better at their profession than I am at anything.  The whole experience left me hungry for perfection in some area of my life.

Broadway: Tanya, Donna and Rosie - Strong, Kick-Ass Women

On a much lesser scale, I also love the Meryl Streep movie version.  In fact, I just watched it tonight in memory of the Broadway experience.  I am truly in awe of how well someone (sadly, I don't know who) was able to create a story to fit perfectly around the ABBA songs without changing them.  Ku-dos to whoever gets credit for that!

Movie: Rosie, Donna and Tanya

I think one of the things that appeals to me about both versions the portrayal of strong, independent women.  They have lived, they have conquered, they have created for themselves a life of purpose and direction.  On that note, here are the lyrics to Dancing Queen.  Probably the most well-known and probably the most cliched, but also the heart-and-soul of these women.

You can dance

You can jive

Having the time of your life

See that girl

Watch that scene

Diggin' the dancing queen

Friday night and the lights are low

Looking out for a place to go

Where they play the right music

Getting in the swing

You come to look for a king

Anybody could be that guy

Night is young and the music's high

With a bit of rock music

Everything is fine

You're in the mood for a dance

And when you get the chance

You are the dancing queen

Young and sweet

Only seventeen

Dancing queen

Feel the beat from the tambourine

You can dance

You can jive

Having the time of your life

See that girl

Watch that scene

Diggin' the dancing queen

You're a teaser, you turn 'em on

Leave 'em burning and then you're gone

Looking out for another

Anyone will do

You're in the mood for a dance

And when you get the chance

You are the dancing queen

Young and sweet

Only seventeen

Dancing queen

Feel the beat from the tambourine

You can dance

You can jive

Having the time of your life

See that girl

Watch that scene

Diggin' the dancing queen 

See that girl

Watch that scene

Diggin' the dancing queen

Live!  Conquer!  Dance!