Left to Right: Dory (Sarabelle Stephens), Marlin (John Lyons), Nemo (Hannah Koloski), and Professor Ray (Asher Schropp). Photo credit: Wendy Hickok Photography
Disney animated movies have long been noted for their memorable characters, stunning artwork, and unforgettable soundtracks. The franchise’s 2003 Oscar-winning film, “Finding Nemo,” contains all of these elements, and the story has been reborn as a family-friendly stage show, “Finding Nemo Jr.” This charming musical adaptation remains faithful to the film while featuring all-new original songs from the composers of Disney’s smash hit, “Frozen.” Directed beautifully by Jordyne Hebron (with music direction by Jamie B. Levine and choreography by Jennifer Politte), “Finding Nemo Jr.” is currently entertaining families at the Children’s Theatre of Annapolis.
…a FIN-tastic family outing! An ideal introduction to the theater for young audiences, this play will also elicit childlike wonder in adults.
“Finding Nemo Jr.” tells the story of Marlin (John Lyons), a highly protective clownfish who is extremely cautious with his child, Nemo (Hannah Koloski). Much to Marlin’s dismay, Nemo is extremely adventurous and is not afraid of encountering potentially dangerous situations. While swimming too close to the surface, Nemo is caught by scuba divers, and Marlin must set out to find him. On his quest to find Nemo, Marlin encounters Dory (Sarabelle Stephens), a forgetful, royal tang fish. Dory reads the address on one of the scuba divers’ masks, and this breakthrough leads to the duo embarking on a whirlwind journey to Australia to rescue Nemo.
Lyons’ performance as Marlin was truly heartwarming, and he brilliantly portrayed the character as a caring father figure. He poignantly expressed every emotion of Marlin’s experiences, from fright when Nemo was captured, to joy upon their reunion. As Nemo, Koloski was delightfully energetic, performing her songs and scenes with enthusiasm. Her animated facial expressions perfectly conveyed fear, excitement, and awe. Koloski’s ability to often express these feelings without saying a word showcased her talent as an actress. Stephens’ comedic interpretation of Dory was marked by superior timing and delivery. She hilariously illustrated the characters’ forgetfulness, exuding confidence in her role.
Other noteworthy performances included Asher Schropp (school teacher, Professor Ray), Olutomide Famuyiwa (sea turtle, Crush), Carter Rollison (great white shark, Bruce), and Anna Hetherington (Australian pelican, Nigel). Schropp was outstanding, effortlessly delivering complex scientific terminology with clarity and precision. Famuyiwa was dynamic as Crush, with a charismatic stage presence and powerful singing voice. Rollison was tremendously engaging as Bruce, and his rich baritone was a perfect match for the part. Hetherington impressively spoke with an authentic Australian accent, and her ability to steadily maintain this dialect was remarkable.
The underwater world of “Finding Nemo Jr.” was distinctively brought to life by many gifted designers, and their spectacular creative visions contributed to the show’s whimsical mood. Atticus Cooper Boidy’s set and lighting design stunningly displayed bubbles and waves, accompanied by shimmering blue tinsel and vivid neon sea plants. Costume designers, Melissa McCaw and Erin Ward, splendidly outfitted the actors, matching the color schemes from the film and also adding unique accents and accessories. A highlight of the production were the character puppets, designed by Amy Atha-Nicholls, Jack Douglass, and Sue Tilberry. These incredibly intricate works of art included handheld rod puppets, giant box puppets, and even a puppet mounted on a tricycle! The puppets elicited priceless reactions from the audience, and the design team’s innovative depictions of these characters were exceptional.
“Finding Nemo Jr.” at the Children’s Theatre of Annapolis is a FIN-tastic family outing! An ideal introduction to the theater for young audiences, this play will also elicit childlike wonder in adults. The entire family will enjoy this musical, which is sure to create memories that will “just keep swimming” for years to come.
Running Time: Approximately one hour and 15 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission
“Finding Nemo Jr.” runs through June 1, 2025 at the Children’s Theatre of Annapolis, 1661 Bay Head Road, Annapolis, MD 21409. Performances are Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., and Sundays are 2 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, go online or visit the box office prior to the performance.
