“Just keep swimming, just keep swimming,” Dory the blue tang repeatedly said to Marlin the clownfish as they swam through the Pacific Ocean in order to find his son Nemo in Pixar Animation Studios’ memorable film “Finding Nemo.”
The adventure animation film in which the 7th Street Kids’ production is based starts with Nemo challenging his father about how far he can go outside of their home, an anemone inside the Great Barrier Reef. Marlin loses track of Nemo despite his best efforts to get back his son from scuba divers. During Marlin’s extensive search for Nemo he runs into Dory, the forgetful blue tang who can only remember part of an address in Sydney, Australia, and the phrase “Just keep swimming” that she repeats. Nemo winds up in a dentist office fish tank in Sydney. He finds out his father is looking for him, hears about a few of Marlin’s adventures and then decides he needs to work with the other fish in order to escape and reunite with his father.
“All the characters learn what can be accomplished if we are brave and if we all swim together,” said Jeannie McNeal, board member for 7th Street Theatre.
This weekend, the 7th Street Kids will perform on stage with a 30-40 minute musical adaptation called “Disney’s Finding Nemo Kids”. The “kids” are from seven- to 16-years old. After auditions in early June, they’ve been working hard to get the production right.
McNeal can’t wait for people to watch the performances this Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., and this Sunday at 2 p.m..
There are 46 kids in the cast.
The main cast of characters is as follows:
Nemo, played by Natalia Burgher
Marlin, played by KJ Osoy
Dory, played by Kate Broadhead
Three pelicans who narrate the story — Nigel, played by Lillian Gruber. Tiller, played by Emery Evers. Jib, played by Mikah Guarisco
Bruce the Shark, played by Aubrey Herron
Crush the Sea Turtle, played by Cameron Libby
Karin Noble is directing. Gordon Shaw, Aliss Barre and Taylor Jones are the assistant directors.
McNeal talked about her favorite part of the 7th Street Kids program.
“The kids, of course,” McNeal said. “I am always amazed by their dedication, enthusiasm and talent. We have new kids every year, but we also have many who return each summer.”
McNeal loves the collaboration to make this program work.
“Another part of the 7th Street Kids program that I find amazing are the efforts and teamwork of our volunteers, who support the kids by building and painting sets, finding and building props, etc …”
To see actors and actresses from this cast of characters, people should come to the Finding Nemo Kids performances because the cast members will not be in the next scheduled musical in August, which is “High School Musical 2 Jr.” That production will run from Aug. 1-4.
“However, some High School Musical 2 Jr., cast members are helping with backstage jobs during the Finding Nemo rehearsals and performances,” McNeal said.
Tickets are $10 for adults, and $5 for seniors, students and children 12 and under. Tickets are for sale at Tinderbox Coffee Roasters — 113 E. Wishkah St., in Aberdeen, Harbor Drug and Gifts — 316 8th St., in Hoquiam, Valu Drug — 201 Pioneer Ave. E., in Montesano, Mocha Madness — 125 W. Chance a La Mer NW (Unit A), in Ocean Shores
“7th Street Kids has been offering children’s musical workshops every summer at the 7th Street Theatre in Hoquiam since 1992,” McNeal said, noting during the summer of 2020 the theatre had online rehearsals and streamed performances. “We are proud of our kids and the quality of their shows.”
Contact Reporter Matthew N. Wells at matthew.wells@thedailyworld.com.
