Junior Theatre dives into ‘Finding Nemo’

Davenport Junior Theatre is starting the hard process of finding a new home.

In the meantime, it will present Disney and Pixar’s “Finding Nemo Jr.” at its current home, 2822 Eastern Ave., Davenport, from Saturday, Feb. 17th through Feb. 25th at 1 and 4 p.m. on Saturdays, and 3 p.m. on Sundays.

The charming 60-minute musical is based on the beloved 2003 Pixar film “Finding Nemo.” The Junior Theatre cast includes 41 students ages 10–18 led by DJT artistic director Ashley Becher.

“I can’t say enough about how fun and enjoyable this show is. The material is excellent, and we have a stellar cast and crew that have been working so hard to make this show fantastic,” Becher (the show director and choreographer) said in a Monday release.

“The show is equal parts funny, heartwarming, and inspiring, and 100% entertaining,” she said. “Audiences will be warmed and encouraged by not only the material and talent, but the heart and spirit of this group.”

This new stage musical is an hour-long adaptation of the classic computer-animated 2003 Pixar movie “Finding Nemo,” with new music by award-winning songwriting team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (Disney’s “Frozen”).

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.

The musical features memorable songs such as “Just Keep Swimming,” “Fish Are Friends Not Food,” and “Go With the Flow,” and “Finding Nemo Jr.” brings a vibrant underwater world to life on stage in a story full of family, friendship, and adventure, the Junior Theatre release said.

Elizabeth Young, 17, who is playing the character of Dory, believes that audiences will enjoy this show.

“This musical has been a family favorite of ours for a long time and to finally be part of it, has made me realize even more how awesome it is,” she said. “The lights, music, costumes, makeup, and set are incredible and really fit the oceanic vibe. It’s a production you do not want to miss! You will be singing the songs long after the musical ends. You can tell the directors and cast have put so much into the show and we are all so excited to perform.”

Assistant stage manager Esther Moore, 16, agrees. “People are going to love this show. We have a super talented and hardworking cast and crew who really bring this story to life.”

Bonnie Sloat, president of the Junior Theatre, Inc. board of directors, hopes people will use this as an opportunity to visit Junior Theatre, and be reminded of why it’s such a unique community asset.

“Junior Theatre has been in the news a lot lately as we face a possible transition. The community has been so supportive and vocal in their love for Junior Theatre over the last month, and it has meant a lot,” Sloat said.

“We hope that this show—like all of our mainstage productions—can give families the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful afternoon of high-quality live theater,” she said.

The city of Davenport has conveyed the 32-acre Annie Wittenmyer campus (longtime home of DJT, which uses 10 cottages and the main theater) to a private developer for creation of 99 units of mixed-use rental housing. No buildings on campus are to be demolished and new structures will be built, but Junior Theatre is working with the city for a potential new location, starting in late 2025.

“We are hopeful to find a new home for Junior Theatre, where this vital community program can continue to thrive,” Ashley Becher said Monday. “We are trusting our city council members’ word that they will take care to help us transition the organization.

“Junior Theatre has been able to not only survive, but grow in these last 72 years because of its ability to adapt and change,” she said. “While the Annie Wittenmyer complex has been our longest home, we know that the true heart of Junior Theatre is its community. Re-homing this organization will be an enormous project, which will require support from both the Davenport Parks and Recreation Department, and the Davenport City Council.

“We encourage anyone who values Junior Theatre to help us remind their representatives of the breadth and impact of the program, and their responsibility to help maintain and continue our accessible programming,” Becher said. “We look forward to this new chapter with fresh eyes, an open mind, and confidence we will be able to continue our mission to inspire and grow confident, empathetic, and responsible future citizens.”

The mission of Junior Theatre Inc. is to partner with DJT to build self-confidence and offer creative opportunities by producing accessible theatre for kids by kids ages 3-18. Programs are built upon its lasting heritage to become a premier center for the performing arts for youth of all ages and ability levels, enriching their childhood experiences and their knowledge of the performing arts to lead them to a brave, bold tomorrow.

“Finding Nemo Jr.” has free admission (donations welcomed) and performances will be 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturdays, Feb. 17 and 24, and 3 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 18 and 25. An ASL interpreted performance will be at 1 p.m. Feb. 17.

To learn more, visit the DJT website HERE.

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