Theater Review: 'Finding Nemo, Jr' by Reuben E. Thalberg Drama Club

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

Tonight at 7 p.m., the students in the Drama Club at Reuben E. Thalberg Elementary School will present the closing performance of their well-rehearsed production of “Disney/Pixar Finding Nemo, Jr.” on the stage at the Green Hills School in Bristol. I was invited to attend the matinee performance on Saturday and I even got to feed a bag of pretzels to a hungry seagull in scene ten.

The junior version of “Finding Nemo” has a book, music and lyrics by the talented team of Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. The book was adapted by Lindsay Anderson and the music and orchestration of the musical tracks was adapted and arranged by Myrna Conn. The story is based on the 2003 Disney/Pixar film.

Liz Wood serves as the director of the production, alongside her Assistant Student Director, the talented performer Lilly Wood. Chrissy Smith lovingly conducted the students as the music director. Steph Montinieri was co-choreographer.

The student cast looks adorable in their colorful costumes and makeup designed by Darcy Bearman. The costumer made excellent use of knitted caps and clever fish headpieces and I loved the West Side Story gang take on the Shark costumes. The adorable set designed and donated by Bill Wood brings the characters and the audience into the ocean and the fish tank. Lighting designed by Tim Nivison helps create the look. Kudos to the prop masters, Andrea Burnell and Don Brooks, on many clever pieces. Dan Nivison worked as the sound designer.

Mara Berardi is a delight in the role of the anxious and overprotective clown fish Marlin, with a great singing voice and stage presence. Benjamin Wood is perfectly cast in the role of young Nemo.

It would be hard to forget how well Katie Sadowski does with the role of the optimistic (and forgetful) Dory.

Nolan Andrew floats about the stage in a great blue cape in the role of Professor Ray. Joshua Landes plays the role of Bruce, an intimidating great white shark. Abigayle Grindle appears as Chum, Audrey Hastings is Anchor. Luke Denorfia makes the audience smile in his role as a Vacationer in three scenes.

Tatum Ferguson plays the role of the fish Bubbles, Reagan Smith is Peach, Jordan Davis plays Gurgle and Delilah Mendoza is Bloat. Leah Jasulavic plays the role of the fish-friendly pelican Nigel and Callie Bannon shines as Gill. Molly Aivano plays the laid-back sea turtle Crush, Jace Ouellette plays his offspring Squirt, Raghav Patel is Kai and Edie Parzych is Breeze. Katelyn Redman plays Ginny Grouper.

Senna Klatt plays Nemo’s mom Coral, Addison Sherwood plays Angelfish and Sophie Angelillo appears as Damselfish. Ella Kasica and Sadie Montinieri work together to portray Barracuda.

Pearl is played by Fiona Pasciolla, Sheldon is played by Adley Brooks and Tad is covered by Jocelyn Pierce. Connor Carroll plays Sheldon’s Parent and Annie Martella portrays Pearl’s Parent, with Henry MacFarland in the role of Tad’s Parent.

The lovely Olivia Dabkowski is credited as the Scuba Mask Dancer. There is some great choreography in the production numbers, with dancing by the sea turtles and tapping by the Shark Chorus in “Fish Are Friends Not Food,” and graceful movement “Go With the Flow.”

I loved that the director and music director sat in low beach chairs in front of the stage to carefully lead the performers up close.

Congratulations to the students that made up the various ensembles in the show. A large group plays the Sea Chorus and the Seagulls. Another group plays the Shark, Jellyfish and Turtle Chorus. Seven students play the Moonfish and there is also a Featured Sea Chorus.

The Thalberg PTO supported this production. The program includes a long list of volunteers on the production team, including volunteer coordinators, tickets and programs, concessions, production volunteers and a stage crew.

Kudos to the dedicated elementary students who worked hard to bring this story to life and the equally dedicated adults who worked with them.

The show is presented without an intermission and runs just under an hour. The closing performance is Saturday night at 7p.m.