The auditorium came alive with platform boots, bright lights and ABBA classics as students took the stage for this year’s production of Mamma Mia! The show was packed with powerful vocals, emotional moments and unforgettable memories — especially for the leading cast members who helped carry the story from beginning to end.

Senior Kenzie Kerley, who played Donna, said the most meaningful part of the experience wasn’t just the music — it was the people.

“The cast — you could spend so much time with these people and never get sick of them,” Kerley said.

As one of the show’s central characters, Kerley delivered powerhouse performances night after night. Her favorite song was “The Winner Takes It All,” though “Slipping Through My Fingers” was a close second. Both numbers showcased her emotional range and strong stage presence, leaving audiences in awe.

Playing opposite Kerley was senior Tim Holt, who portrayed Sam Carmichael. Holt said being part of the musical helped him grow tremendously as both a performer and a person.

“I grew so much as a person, and all the people I got to spend time with were so amazing,” Holt said.

His favorite number was “SOS,” which he performed alongside Kerley. Their duet quickly became a standout moment in the show, highlighting their chemistry and vocal strength.

Senior Audrey Clouse, who played Sophie, also had a leading role in the production. For Clouse, the cast made every rehearsal worth it.

“I could spend two hours a day with them, and you would think it would be exhausting, but it was really fun,” Clouse said.

Her favorite song was “Slipping Through My Fingers,” which she sang with Kerley. The duet was especially emotional because the two have been friends since third grade.

“On the last night, we were bawling our eyes out,” Clouse said.

As it was her final show as a senior, Clouse said it was the best performance she has ever given.

“I put everything I had onto that stage,” she said.

Freshman Landon Salzman, who took on the major role of Sky, made a strong impression in his first high school musical. Stepping into such a big part as a freshman is no small task, but Salzman embraced the opportunity.

“I really like singing, so that was definitely my favorite part,” Salzman said.

His favorite song was “Lay All Your Love on Me,” mainly because he got to perform a “cool slide” during the number. Despite being new to high school theater, he proved himself as a leading performer.

Sophie Pleasants, who played Allie, said her favorite song was “Honey, Honey.” She enjoyed how committed the cast was and how well everyone got along throughout the production.

Hailey Marshall, who played Tanya, said her favorite part of the musical was how close the cast became.

“We all got so close — we turned into a family,” Marshall said.

Her favorite song was “Does Your Mother Know,” since it was her featured number. After her final performance, she even started crying on stage and said she will especially miss the seniors who are graduating.

Addy Burns, a member of the ensemble, said she loved spending time with the cast and, as an upperclassman, will miss the freshmen she grew close to during rehearsals.

Joseph Mazella, also part of the ensemble, earned the nickname “The Goat” after walking a goat on stage during the show. Like many others, his favorite part of the musical was spending time with the cast and forming new friendships.

While the show ran smoothly for the audience, one of the most intense moments of the production happened behind the scenes.

Victor Pagan-Cruz, who played Harry Bright, had to miss two days of the musical after his lung partially collapsed.

“All thanks to singing,” Pagan-Cruz said. “Who knew singing could hurt your body?”

Despite the unexpected setback, Pagan-Cruz said his favorite part of the musical was the cast and how hard everyone worked throughout the process.

With Pagan-Cruz suddenly unable to perform, ensemble member Matthew Muessig was asked to step in as Harry Bright — with almost no warning.

“It was very stressful. I had five minutes of preparation time,” Muessig said.

Muessig didn’t find out he would be going on stage until just five minutes before his entrance. All he had time to do was quickly run two songs with the pianist and make sure he could sing the correct parts before stepping into a major role.

For Muessig, who spends much of his time playing sports, being in the musical was already a change of pace.

“It felt nice to use a different part of my brain for once,” he said. “After doing sports so often, it was more creative and unusual to learn music and dancing.”

Having to suddenly fill “very big shoes” made the experience even more challenging — but he rose to the occasion. His ability to step in under pressure reflected the dedication and teamwork that defined the entire cast.

In the end, Mamma Mia! was more than just a musical. It was about growth, friendship, and stepping up when it mattered most — both on stage and behind the scenes.