Young theatre performers with the Harmony Arts Program will explore the big blue world of the Pacific Ocean as they bring to life a lively stage production of a beloved Pixar film.
“Finding Nemo Jr.” is a musical adaptation of the 2003 Disney movie Finding Nemo, which features memorable songs, including “Just Keep Swimming,” “Fish Are Friends Not Food” and “Go With The Flow.”
Occurring at the Mae Wilson Theatre, the first show is Thursday, March 14 at 12:30 p.m., while the second shows are Friday, March 15 at 12:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., and the third shows are Saturday, March 16 and 2 and 7 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased at the box office or www.moosejawculture.ca.
The story sees Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, living in the Great Barrier Reef with his son Nemo, who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home. After Nemo runs away and is captured, Marlin faces his fears and sets off on an adventure across the ocean.
With the help of lovable characters such as optimistic — but very forgetful — Dory, laid-back sea turtle Crush, and the supportive Tank Gang, Marlin and Nemo both overcome challenges on their journey to find each other and themselves.
Audrey Pottage, 9, is Nemo and says portraying the clownfish is “very fun,” while she likes to sing and hang out with the Tank Gang — five characters who have also been captured — since she can climb on a structure resembling an intake pipe. It’s this pipe that her character uses to escape the Sydney Harbour aquarium.
“I like when you’re on stage, and then the curtain comes up, and you can see the audience’s faces,” Pottage continued.
Besides performing on stage, the youth recently acted in a short film by director Nikki Buziak called “Gymnastics.” Released in 2023 — and starring Moose Javian Dustan J. Hlady — the film is set in the early 1980s and based on Buziak’s experiences of being bullied while navigating “a slippery situation” during a gymnastics routine at the local rec centre.
Pottage said the acting was fun and she had a good time.
Joining Pottage on stage is Ava Scheuer, 12, who portrays Dory. While the character’s perpetual short-term memory loss frustrates Marlin, they eventually become friends.
This will be Scheuer’s fourth theatre show and says besides the acting, singing and dancing, she also enjoys the community that the cast has created. Her favourite songs are “Just Keep Swimming” and “Go With The Flow,” and her favourite scene is being stuck in a net.
Directing this year is Jan Nelson and handling choreography is Emily Sanche.
Nelson said the practices have been “intense,” but the kids are excited to perform live. The show has come together nicely, and with under two weeks to go, she is confident they will be successful.
“The kids show some growth from year to year. I have a lot of repeat kids, and always some new ones, but the repeat kids definitely bring the new ones up,” she continued. “And the quality of their acting … I’m impressed by them.”
Sanche, who joined HAP this year, is a trained dancer and was dancing professionally in Calgary before moving to Moose Jaw a few years ago. As the choreographer, she has helped the performers work on their movements and ensured they are dancing in unison.
“This is my first year working with this group, but I’ve been really impressed with their ability and eagerness to learn. And they’ve worked really hard on this show … ,” she said. “They’re just a really wonderful group of kids who are excited for this — and it’s going to be great.”
Nelson thanked the Eagles’ Club for the practice venue and the parents for their support with the production.
HAP’s summer day camp is from Tuesday, July 23 to Saturday, July 27, while next year’s production will be Frozen Jr.
