With Hanukkah in progress and Christmas a week away, I thought it might be a good time for another edition of “oldies but goodies” – the Mamma Mia Edition.
Caveat: This post previously appeared on another Austen blog and possibly my own. At this point, I’ve written so many blog posts, I’ve lost track of them. At least, that’s the excuse I’m using today. Enjoy!
Dancing Queen – Lydia and Kitty Bennet dancing at Lucas Lodge
Does Your Mother Know That You’re Out – Lydia running off with Wickham
Lay All Your Love on Me – Darcy realizing that he has fallen for Elizabeth Bennet
Waterloo – Colonel Fitzwilliam
Thank You for the Music – Colonel Brandon upon hearing Marianne playing for the first time
Take a Chance on Me – Colonel Brandon to Marianne Dashwood
Mamma Mia – Marianne waving off warnings to stay away from Willoughby
Knowing Me, Knowing You – Willoughby saying goodbye to Marianne Dashwood
SOS – Willoughby regretting that he can’t be with Marianne (too bad!)
Slipping Through My Fingers – Emma fearing that she had lost Mr. Knightley to Harriet Smith and Catherine Morland being thrown out of Northanger Abbey
Under Attack – Captain Wentworth falling to Anne’s charms—again
Money, Money, Money – The Crawfords and John Dashwoods
Voulez Vous – Wickham, Willoughby, and all of Austen’s bad boys
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! A Man After Midnight – Any of the Austen bad girls, especially Mary Crawford and Maria Bertram
I Do! I Do! I Do! I Do! I Do! – Lizzy accepting Mr. Darcy; Jane and Charles; Elinor and Edward; Catherine and Henry (You get the idea.)
I Have a Dream – Austen fans everywhere that someone will discover a cache of unpublished Austen novels
Love to read your comments. By the way, if you saw the Mamma Mia movie, what did you think? I’m still angry at Meryl Streep for taking that part. She’s older than I am, and believe me, you wouldn’t want to see me jumping up and down on a bed.
P.S. Sophia Rose is having an e-book giveaway of my Austen-inspired mystery, Dying to Write, as well as my time-travel romance, Another Place in Time, at The Delighted Reader – ends 12/22. All you have to do to win is to give me the combination to your jewelry safe and your home address. 😉 Seriously, you just have to mention a place where you would like to go if you could travel through time. Easy peasy.
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I’ve never seen Mamma Mia so can’t comment on Meryl Streep jumping up and down on a bed! But, although I was never a big Abba fan, their music certainly evokes memories of that period of time. I still used to listen to “pop” music radio in those days, driving to and from work. No more, as I think I’m getting to be a “grumpy old woman” and find modern pop music extremely bland or tuneless. Nowadays, I usually listen to audiobooks during my drive to work.
Mary, I love your choices for the various scenarios above! Don’t think I can do any better.
Anji, I love the show, The Voice, but so many of their choices sound like screaming to me. But I know my mom didn’t like the Beatles. It was just a generational thing. Fortunately, my granddaughter likes Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood. I can listen to both without gritting my teeth!
Hilarious! I have seen the play several times and it would be even better if it were Austen’s characters!
Isn’t it a great show! No matter how old you are, you have to stand up and sing along. It’s the only place where my singing is tolerated. 🙂
LOL! This is great, Mary! I’d give Fanny the ‘I Had a Dream’ b/c that poor girl needs some ‘wonder and fairy tales’. Oh and all the play actors at Mansfield for ‘Super Trooper’. Maybe Lizzy after she really processes Darcy’s letter with Jane back home for ‘Chiquitita’.
Yeah, that was an interesting casting for sure and not just Meryl Streep, but I did have fun with it.
Good suggestions. My problem with Meryl is that three guys are pining for this lady for 20 years! It just didn’t work. I loved the kid with the wild hair that danced with Christine Baronski. What a scene stealer.
I did see Mamma Mia and have to say I was rooting for Colin Firth in his role as I have a soft spot for him. It was funny. Those women had to be in pretty good shape for all the dancing around they did in that movie. Good list for dances. You don’t want to hear what I think about the possibility of 3 men being the father to her daughter.
I saw an interview with Colin. They reserved 3 days for the recording studio for a song that lasted 3 days! He said it gives you an idea of what the producers thought of his singing. I understand all the actors had their families with them, and it was a really fun shoot.
Mary,
I was just listening to ABBA last night… Can’t get “Dancing Queen” out of my head 🙂 . You’re right — it’s perfect for Lydia & Kitty dancing.
And, yes, I’ve seen Mamma Mia — both the film (I thought it was light & fun…and, hey, it had Colin in it) and the Broadway musical in NYC (excellent performance & I left the theater humming) — so I’m a fan!!
Happy Holidays!
I was never a big ABBA fan until I saw the play. It was so absurd, I loved it!
Seasons greetings to you and yours. Mary
I have never seen Mamma Mia as my movie watching is pretty limited, I would rather read. LOL Of course if it’s a stage show, I might see it that way but haven’t so far. I also am not much for Abba. I remember my mom listening to it some, but I’m a very very old soul and a lot of that music drives me crazy (being honest…LOL). I get the titles though. I did Google lyrics on a couple of them. Funny stuff. I do watch The Voice with my husband and some of the music makes me suddenly need to do dishes but I have to admit it was nice they pulled out some oldies this past season. Not thrilled with the winner, but hey, somebody has to win. This Oklahoma girl is not a fan of country. :-p
I hope you all have a fantastic Christmas wherever in the world you are!
Stephanie, I wanted Damien to win. I knew it wouldn’t happen–not with all the Tween Tweeters, but he was so talented. An Okie who doesn’t like country! Wow! Do your neighbors know?
I hated country until I moved to Dallas, and it seeped into my brain. Now, it’s pretty much all I listen to–but the oldie country stations.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Oh yeah, the neighbors know. LOL Every one around here considers me a Yankee even though I’ve lived here since I was 7 because I prefer classical music, Jane Austen and sushi. I MUST be from somewhere else. LOL
Loved your pairings Mary! Wasn’t a huge fan of ABBA but liked some of their songs. Didn’t see the theater version of Mamma Mia but did see the film version. I enjoyed it but alot of that had to do with Colin Firth *sigh*! Will have to go over to Sophia Rose’s site and check out her blog!
I saw the play in Vegas, and I just loved it. My daughter, who is rather shy, was on her feet singing.
Yes, do check out Sophia’s blog. Sophia and her blog are great.
I love all your choices, Mary! I love ABBA sooooo much! They are my “feel good” go to! Loved the movie, I’m such a Meryl Streep fan, so I loved seeing her in it. 🙂 The rest of the cast was great too – except for Pierce Brosnan…not so crazy about his voice.
I can’t think of any to add..I’m not creative like you, Mary! Can you think of one for Our Last Summer, I love that one!
I liked Pierce in Mamma Mia, but he could not sing to save his life. But his acting was good.
I’m not surprised you’re an ABBA fan. Upbeat, fun! That’s you.
I think most sad songs were written for Marianne. “Our Last (and only) Summer” would fit her perfectly. Happy holidays!
Fun post, Mary. Most of the singing in the movie Mama Mia was mediocre. I’d love to see it done on stage some day.
Susan, Saw it in Vegas, and they changed the lead midway. Even with that, it was a lot of fun.
What fun! It does make me want to watch Mama Mia again, although I would have to do it when I’m home alone or with my sister only, because I can’t watch it without singing along. If I have one quibble with the movie, it’s not the casting of Meryl Streep (never thought of that).
For “Slipping Through My Fingers,” I like Caroline Bingley as she sees Mr. Darcy slipping from her grasp.
Shannon, Shannon, Shannon, You left us with a cliffhanger. What was your beef with the movie? Do tell.
If you must know, Mary, it was rather heartbreaking for me that they decided Colin Firth (always my Mr. Darcy) should prefer men to women in the end. So disillusioning!
I understand that! From what I understand, Colin feels shackled by Mr. Darcy. This may have been one way for him to step away from being a heartthrob.
If that’s the strategy, it may backfire. It may just make him a heartthrob to a different demographic! Haha!
What a fun post, Mary! I have seen both the movie and the musical. I have to say, seeing it in person is much better. ABBA’s songs are just so upbeat and catchy that I don’t know how anyone can remain in a bad mood after listening to them.
I am picturing Lydia & Kitty dancing right now. And I think Take A Chance on Me is perfect for Col. Brandon & Marianne. Thanks so much for sharing this! 🙂
I agree. The play is so much fun. I don’t think anyone can leave the theater in a bad mood.
I’m with you about the movie!. Would have helped if the some of them could sing. The only males with even a inch of singing talent were Dominic Cooper and Colin Firth…what does that tell you. My husband and I have seen Mamma Mia on stage 4 times and love it but he turned the movie off after about 10 minutes.
Try Chess…
Jane Bennett…Heaven Help My Heart
Eleanor Dashwood…Someone Else’s Story
Fanny Price…Pity the Child
Col Brandon and Col Fitzwilliam…Anthem
Emma and Harriett…I Know Him so Well.
Good choices. There was so much about the movie to like, esp. that young kid who danced with Christine Baronski. But the leads were too old. Even so, I really like Pierce even though he can’t sing to save his life.
I love your pairings. I have never seen Mama Mia!, but am a fan of ABBA. Thanks for giving me a smile.
If you get a chance to see it, even in regional theater, you should go. It’s just so much fun. Thanks, Deborah, for stopping by.
I also have not seen the Mamma Mia film so no comment on Meryl Streep jumping on the bed though it makes me want to give it a chance. I love listening to the catchy Mamma Mia and Dancing Queen songs by ABBA. 🙂