Story by Claire Smith, Contributing writer
Photos by Mackenzie O’Donley/The News
Campus Lights’ production of “Mamma Mia!” was held in Lovett Auditorium Jan. 18-20. “Mamma Mia!” features music from the Swedish pop group ABBA.
Ashton Saxon, senior from Mayfield, Kentucky, played Donna Sheridan.
“Donna is very well known as being played by Meryl Streep in the movie and that is a lot to live up to,” Saxon said.
She said she was excited and nervous but knew that it was going to be a good show.
Her favorite part about playing Donna was getting to sing “Dancing Queen” and dance. She also said that two of her favorite songs to perform were “The Winner Takes It All” and the title track “Mamma Mia!”.
This was Saxon’s second time participating in Campus Lights, having been in last year’s production of “Into the Woods.”
Saxon said she hoped that the audience would have fun with the show and also take away the “underlying themes of forgiveness.”
Lucas Morgan, chairman of Campus Lights, oversaw the entire production, from advertising to making sure the production of the show ran smoothly.
He said that opening night was the biggest he’s seen in the four years he has been with the show.
“For our final number we do ‘Dancing Queen’ and the entire audience mostly stood up and clapped and danced and sang along with the cast,” Morgan said.
He said alumni return each year to watch the performance and though he was nervous to impress them, he was confident they were going to like the show.
“I want the audience to be able to escape everything that is going on outside these walls and have a good time with us for a few hours,” Morgan said.
For the Saturday show, people braved the snow to watch the cast of “Mamma Mia!” shine. Some audience members sang and others clapped along to the well-known songs. Much like on opening night, the audience was engaged and laughing and adding in bits of funny commentary.
Caralyn DiMatties, junior from Hopkinsville, Kentucky, went to the show to support Caroline O’Guin who played Sophie.
She said this was her second time seeing a Campus Lights show after having watched “Into the Woods” last year. Her favorite song was “Under Attack.”
Campus Lights puts on a new show at the beginning of each year and proceeds from the production go toward scholarship funds. This was Campus Lights’ 82nd production.
