& DAWN LAU DANCE COMPANY’S PRODUCTION OF
Book, Music and Lyrics by KRISTEN ANDERSON-LOPEZ and ROBERT LOPEZ
Book Adapted by LINDSAY ANDERSON
Music and Orchestrations Adapted and Arranged by MYRNA CONN
Based on the 2003 Disney / Pixar Film Finding Nemo written by Andrew Stanton, Bob Peterson, David Reynolds, and directed by Andrew Stanton
MAY 2 & 3, 2025
FRIDAY AT 7 PM, SATURDAY AT 2 PM
TAYLOR’S STAGE at THE RED OAKS SCHOOL
238 SPEEDWELL AVE, MORRIS PLAINS, NJ
Finding Nemo - The Musical premiered at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom in January 2007. It is based on Disney Pixar’s Academy Award-winning movie Finding Nemo. When creating the music, the Lopez songwriting team focused on a single theme from the movie: the idea that “the world’s dangerous and beautiful.”
Finding Nemo - The Musical tells the story of the overly cautious father clownfish, Marlin, along with his absent-minded friend, Dory, as they swim with the sharks, take on the jellyfish, and ride the current with Crush, the turtle, all in a heroic effort to rescue everyone’s favorite clownfish, Nemo.
The first time I saw it at Animal Kingdom, I watched the wonder in my then 7- and 9-year-olds’ eyes. I knew one day I would direct this musical. MANIFEST IT!
Finding Nemo JR. highlights disabilities and defects in a positive light. Nemo proves that those with disabilities are not “less than” and can overcome any obstacle. Marlin proves that, although some may call him a neurotic helicopter parent, if we face our fears, the world is our oyster and we can achieve our goals. Dory has chronic short-term memory loss; however, she CAN remember through adaptive problem-solving when it’s critical, allowing for her abnormality to become an essential key in the plot of Finding Nemo.
It has been my privilege to work with The Red Oaks Middle School students to tell this story that highlights disabilities in a positive light. I’ve always said that disabilities, depending on how we look at them, can be our superpower! So let’s all be a little more positive like Dory, adventurous like Nemo, and persistent like Marlin.
“Just keep swimming!”– Dory
Live a Great Story!
Sincerely,
Dawn Ward- Lau
Disney’s Finding Nemo JR. is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized materials are supplied by Music Theatre International, New York, NY (212) 541-4684 mtishows.com
Prologue
Big Blue World (Part 1)
Big Blue World (Part 2)
The Drop-Off
Abduction / Big Blue World (Reprise)
Dory’s Ditty
Fish Are Friends Not Food
Seagulls 1
Where’s My Dad?
Just Keep Swimming (Part 1)
Just Keep Swimming (Part 2)
Seagulls 2
Not My Dad
Go With The Flow
One Dedicated Father
That’s My Dad
We Swim Together (Reprise)
Just Keep Swimming Together
Finale (Part 1)
Finale (Part 2)
Bows
Alex performed in The Music Man JR, Matilda JR, and Seussical JR. This year, he worked behind the scenes on set design and backstage. Alex also performs piano at local senior centers and participates in several school ensembles.
Ellis was previously cast in The Music Man JR. This production marks his debut as assistant sound technician. In addition to playing guitar in school ensembles, Ellis mentors younger students to support the continued growth of the band program.
Penny has been a part of the tech crew for two productions. She worked on set design this year and previously assisted with lighting for Matilda JR.
Aidan performed in The Music Man JR, Matilda JR, and Seussical JR. Taking a break from performance, he opted to work backstage for this year’s production.
Sam performed in The Music Man JR as a fifth grader. He joined us again this year to help with both set design and backstage tasks. Sam is also a member of the after school Art Club.
Raphael joined the set design team for his first Red Oaks musical theater production this year. His 3D printed elephants, created for his MYP Community Project, were just showcased at the Raise Up Red Oaks benefit event.
This is Emilia’s first show at Red Oaks, assisting with the set design team. Emilia also participates in the after school Art Club and is an avid swimmer.
Director / Choreographer ...................................................... Dawn Ward-Lau
Musical Director ..................................................................... Miguel Sutedjo
Production Stage Manager / Props ....................................................... Louis Mastro
Assistant Stage Manager .............................................................. Aidan Koch
Puppet Design................................................................ Gateway Set Rentals
Set and Coral Design .......................................................................... Jim Lau
Coral Coordinator .......................................................................... Abby Hunt
Costume Design .................................................................. Bernice Coleman
Wardrobe / Puppet Coordinator .................................................... Sol Lecour
Wardrobe / Puppet Assistant ...................................................... Gaby Couto
Technical Coordinator / Lighting Design ...................................... Levi Morici
Sound Design ......................................................................... Sydney Cheplic
Dance Captains ................................................ Sofia Bordin, Mabel Krupnick
Makeup Design ........................................................................ Josie Plecchia
Makeup ................................................................. Michelle Peterson, Josie Plecchia, Maya Lau, Lauren Miller, Monica Bordin
Christopher Weaver and the staff at The Red Oaks School, Emily Cannestro, Anne Carolan, Suzanne Daniels, Angela D’Orsi and Morris County Vocational School District, Taylor Jaskula, Jack Collins, Dylan Franz, Nancy Lashure, Rhaya Lau, Mt. Tabor Arts Collaborative, Owen Bacher, Jackie Nuzzo, Michelle Peterson, Marilyn Stewart, Tony Tabasco and Gateway Playhouse, Tom Wallace, SetRentals.com, ThePoolNoodleLady.com and the parents of our cast and crew.