Diving into an adventure filled with wonder and discovery awaits with Weston Drama Workshop Teen Summer Bootcamp’s production of Disney’s Finding Nemo Jr. Boasting its unforgettable cast of characters and songs from the 2003 Pixar movie, this 60-minute adaptation will delight audiences of all ages!
Marlin, an anxious clownfish, lives alongside his protective son Nemo in the Great Barrier Reef. When Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin must overcome his fears to save him.
The Story
Nemo, an adorable young clownfish from the Great Barrier Reef, becomes eager to explore his surroundings beyond the home while his father, Marlin, frets over any potential dangers ahead. After being assisted by Tank Gang and finding his way back to Sydney Harbor Aquarium, Marlin gains courage and wisdom enough to trust others – including his son (“Finale Part 2”).
Disney’s Finding Nemo JR. will delight children and families, with beloved characters like Dory, Crush, Tank Gang, and Nigel all making appearances on stage and music by Frozen award-winners Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez! Bringing to life this vibrant underwater world for audiences of all ages in this delightful musical adaptation of a 2003 Pixar movie is both an enjoyable and heartwarming experience!
Finding Nemo Jr. is presented through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI), licensed to Disney Theatrical Productions on behalf of Pixar Animation Studios.
Notes: All performances will occur at Regis College Fine Arts Center, and rehearsals will begin on Monday, September 11. Keep your Class Bug account current and choose an audition slot BEFORE beginning rehearsals.
Nemo the Clownfish longs to explore the vast ocean beyond his Great Barrier Reef home, yet his overprotective father, Marlin fears its hazards – however, when Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney for rescue by Tank Gang members Crush and Gill (tuna fish) Marlin must overcome his fears and embark on an unforgettable oceanic adventure accompanied by these unlikely allies – learning both courage and trust from them and others – including trusting in his son Nemo himself!
The Music
YouthWorks Production of “Finding Nemo,” an award-winning 2003 Pixar movie about a father and son’s journey to find Nemo, makes an exciting musical adaptation. Written by award-winning songwriting team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (Frozen), this musical adaptation brings Nemo’s vibrant underwater world onstage while telling its compelling tale of family, friendship, and adventure. Featuring unforgettable songs such as “Just Keep Swimming,” “Fish Are Friends Not Food,” and “Go With the Flow,” this show will capture audiences young and old alike!
Finding Nemo Jr., presented by YouthWorks Theatre this summer at Weatherford College’s Alkek Fine Arts Center, stars Logan Thomas as Marlin, Sandy Strittmatter as Dory, and Mia Currie as Nemo, with an ensemble cast comprised of elementary, middle, and high school students performing an engaging 60-minute musical production.
The Sea Chorus is a general ensemble, providing an atmosphere for Marlin and Dory on their journey towards Sydney. They will assist with transitions between Ocean and Aquarium Tank settings and play roles including Angelfish, Damselfish, Barracuda, Moonfish 1-6, Jellyfish Sea Turtles, Grouper Lobsters 1&2, Octopuses (1&2), Electric Eels, and Seahorses.
Nemo, the curious young clownfish from The Little Mermaid, is excited about life beyond the Great Barrier Reef. Born with an “unlucky fin,” Nemo quickly realizes that life beyond the Reef holds both promise and dangers for him to face – becoming self-advocates, making new friends, and practicing teamwork are essential in becoming a capable leader who has strength within himself to take on any challenge that may come his way.
Gill, an iconic Moorish idol fish, is Nemo’s mentor and inspiration. Sheldon, an intolerant seahorse with an appetite for mischief, encourages Nemo to go beyond the reef’s boundaries, and Tad, an aggressive butterflyfish, joins Sheldon in encouraging Nemo past the Drop-Off Point. Nigel the pelican offers them their only contact with the outside world.
The Actors
Weston Drama Workshop’s production of Disney’s Finding Nemo Jr. follows the story of an anxious clownfish father and son as they embark on an exciting, terrifying, yet thrilling voyage through the open ocean to discover it together. Boasting unforgettable songs such as “Just Keep Swimming,” “Fish Are Friends Not Food,” and “Go With the Flow,” audiences will experience an unforgettable journey full of family, friendship, and adventure!
Marlin and his soon-to-be-born child Nemo live together as nervous clownfishes on the Great Barrier Reef. Although they share a loving home within an anemone, Marlin fears what lies beyond and fears divers capturing his son, but when confronted with this fear, he finds it necessary to trust others – including Nemo himself! As Marlin finds the courage within himself to face his greatest fears, he eventually gains the ability to trust those around him, including Nemo himself.
Marlin and Nemo find their way back together thanks to lovable characters such as Dory, Crush the sea turtle, and Tank Gang’s help in reconnecting. Along the way, Nemo learns that his “fin difference” should not be used as an excuse and discovers his true strengths.
The Tank Gang assists Nemo in his escape from Sydney Harbor Aquarium and return to the ocean. Gill, an amicable yellow tang fascinated by bubbles, becomes his mentor and inspiration quickly after meeting him for the first time with similar fin differences as himself. Nigel the pelican serves as their only link with outside reality.
As the ocean’s tranquil waters are broken by a massive fishing net, Dory and her school of Moonfish find themselves captured by it. Nemo uses what he learned from Tank Gang to guide Dory and Moonfish back home (Tank Gang). Meanwhile, Marlin struggles with their fate until Nemo escapes a tank pipe (“Finale-Part 1”). This production will provide young actors with an invaluable opportunity to showcase their talents while exploring musical theatre!
The Audience
Finding Nemo fans have seen numerous moments from this beloved film that make them laugh, including Marlin sometimes snapping at his son, Nemo’s enormous heart, and Dory’s seemingly random plans that only work because she believes they will. Finding Nemo Jr allows audiences to relive these memorable scenes from Finding Nemo.
Finding Nemo is a family story. It follows a father and son as they face their fears to reconnect, with a message about finding where we belong at its core; that is the cornerstone of Finding Nemo Jr. and is why it makes such a great show.
Contrary to many children’s musicals, this one doesn’t simply consist of songs about characters from a film; its script has been specifically created to help performers tell its story as effectively as possible – this has been achieved thanks to collaboration between writers from the original film and this musical.
Performers in this show will take you on an incredible adventure through the Big Blue World. Each performance begins with an introduction scene from a movie, which sets the stage for what lies ahead – characters you will meet and an adventure set out before us all!
Starting by following the main characters from the movie as they attempt to reconnect and build new families, the show will explore the relationships among Tank Gang members as they meet new characters such as Destiny – a nearsighted whale; Bailey – an echolocating Beluga whale; and Hank, an aggressive yet kind septopus.
This lively and entertaining show will surely capture the attention of people of all ages, whether fans of the original movie or those just discovering it for themselves. A must-see show for anyone who appreciates family and friendship!
