Disney and Pixar’s Finding Nemo JR. is playing at Biddeford Middle School’s Performing Arts Center on Thursday, February 8th, and Friday, February 9th, at 6:30 p.m. each evening. The 60-minute musical, designed for middle school-aged performers, is based on the 2003 Pixar film Finding Nemo. The Biddeford Middle School Drama Club’s cast includes 66 students led by Coleen Hatt and Robert Petit.
“The dedication and passion displayed by our middle school students in bringing Finding Nemo Jr. to life is truly commendable,” said BMS Drama Teacher Coleen Hatt. “They've immersed themselves in learning the music, mastering choreography, and embracing their roles with enthusiasm. The BMS Drama Club has once again crafted a wonderful show, and we're bubbling with excitement to share this aquatic adventure with our community!"
Dive into the big blue world of Disney and Pixar’s Finding Nemo JR.! This new stage musical is a 60-minute adaptation of the beloved 2003 Pixar movie Finding Nemo, with new music by award-winning songwriting team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo, who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home. But when Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin faces his fears and sets off on an epic adventure across the ocean. With the help of lovable characters such as optimistic 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. Featuring memorable songs such as “Just Keep Swimming,” “Fish Are Friends Not Food,” and “Go With the Flow,” Finding Nemo JR. brings a vibrant underwater world to life on stage in a story full of family, friendship, and adventure.
BMS seventh-grader Kyle Perkins, who plays Nemo in this production, said, “This is my biggest role ever, and I am so excited to do more plays and see where I end up.” Kyle has participated in the Biddeford Middle School Drama Club since fifth grade. As a fifth grader, Kyle was a stagehand and liked it so much that he decided to start acting. Kyle had so much fun last year acting that he decided to audition again and is so excited to share his love of music and dance.
Both shows are free and open to the public, with donations accepted. Seating is general admission, with doors opening at 6:00 p.m.
Disney and Pixar’s Finding Nemo JR. is presented through a special arrangement, and all materials are provided by Music Theatre International (www.mtishows.com). For more information about licensing Finding Nemo JR. or other Disney shows, please visit www.DisneyMusicals.com.
Music Theatre International (MTI) is one of the world’s leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting theatres from around the world the rights to perform the greatest selection of musicals from Broadway and beyond. Founded in 1952 by composer Frank Loesser and orchestrator Don Walker, MTI is a driving force in advancing musical theater as a vibrant and engaging art form. MTI works directly with the composers, lyricists, and bookwriters of these musicals to provide official scripts, musical materials, and dynamic theatrical resources to over 70,000 professional, community, and school theatres in the US and in over 60 countries worldwide.
MTI is particularly dedicated to educational theatre and has created special collections to meet the needs of various types of performers and audiences. MTI’s Broadway Junior® shows are 30- and 60-minute musicals for performance by elementary and middle school-aged performers, while MTI’s School Editions are musicals annotated for performance by high school students.