Kokomo Curtain Call Theatre for Children to hold weekend production of 'Finding Nemo Jr.'

Mar. 13—A seahorse tail sat on top of a piano in Indiana University Kokomo's Havens Auditorium on Monday. On the auditorium's stage, parent volunteers assembled sea anemones and layered shimmering strips of paper across a backdrop to resemble light rays hitting water.

Kokomo Curtain Call Theatre for Children was gearing up for a rehearsal of "Finding Nemo Jr.," which will be performed Friday and Saturday afternoons.

Similar to Pixar's "Finding Nemo," the stage production follows a clown fish named Marlin as he searches for his son Nemo. The stage show is a bit different from the movie, though.

Suzie Reagle, who is directing the show, explained the production is shorter than Pixar's "Finding Nemo." Several scenes and characters from the movie were removed to make it more child friendly. There are also 20 musical numbers in the production.

"I like that it's colorful and it's got a lot of action, a lot of singing and dancing," Reagle said. "The kids get to show off their talent in all different areas"

The director explained she prefers to work with younger performers. The 42-member cast ranges in age from elementary to high school students.

Jeremy Leazenby-Bruce, executive director for Curtain Call, pointed out it was the theater group's second year organizing a predominately elementary school production. While the cast has doubled since last year's elementary production, he hopes the program will continue to grow.

Reagle said she hopes the audience recognizes "the hard work and dedication of the kids and what they put into it. And the fact that it takes a lot of guts to get up on that stage and sing and dance in front of a group of strangers."

Lucy Featherston, who will star as Dory, said she hopes the crowd learns not to run from their problems.

"Just be positive and don't always look at the negative side of things," Featherston said.

"I want them to feel happy, how they got to see the show," said Annie Watkins, who will play Nemo. "And I want them to learn something."

Sadie Weeks, who will play Gil, added "I want them to learn never give up because there's always a solution."

Elias Record, who will play Marlin, said "Finding Nemo Jr." is the first production he's ever worked on. He was inspired to join after one of his friends said they had fun working on a Curtain Call show.

"It's been a lot of fun," Record said. "I can't believe it's coming to an end."

His co-stars agreed.

James Bennett III can be reached at 765-454-8580 or james.bennett@kokomotribune.com.