Weekend Showcase: ‘Finding Nemo Jr.’ Brings Pixar to Hopkins Stage
A Pixar favorite is coming to the stage in Hopkins, and is serving as the perfect reminder to “just keep swimming.”
“Finding Nemo Jr.” is Stages Theatre Company’s summer musical.
The show starts its run on Friday, June 21 and has productions through August 4. The kids involved say there are plenty of reasons to come see the familiar story.
“It feels like you’re in the ocean watching these events play out,” said Cici Evans, who plays the seahorse Sheldon.
You may remember Sheldon from the 2003 film — he’s allergic to water. That quirk translates to the stage, alongside many, immersive surprises.
“When you look up, you see the reflection of the light on the water,” Evans said, pointing to the blue lighting and set pieces above the stage. “That’s what we tried to do. Because it’s like you’re underwater during the whole show.”
Just Keep Swimming
As Nemo goes on his deep sea adventure, the actors are immersed, too. Layla Traufler plays Nemo.
“It’s really awesome, because this is a movie that I watched as a kid,” she said. “So now, being able to be part of this as a musical… is really awesome.”
This is her first time in a lead role at Stages. She said there was plenty to learn to tell the story.
“We all learned how to use our arms, like we’re swimming as fish do,” Traufler said.
Layla Traufler plays Nemo alongside her classmates at fish school.
She also styled her hair in Nemo’s colors — with a blend of black, white and orange at the end of her braids. She was excited to see how it came together in her costume.
“I sat in the chair for 12 hours getting it done,” Traufler said.
In terms of the peformance, Traufler said the audience will be on the edge of their seat.
“In one word? Exciting,” Layla said.
More details about the production, cast and ticket information is available on Stages’ website. There will be sensory friendly, American Sign Language and audio described shows on the calendar.
The show is also the first youth professional production of Finding Nemo Jr. in Minnesota.
Underwater set pieces and blue stage lights helps immerse actors into the ocean.
