LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill.—It can be difficult to transform a popular film into a stage musical. So much can go wrong. Can the theatrical presentation remain faithful to the screen story? Are the characters recognizable? Will the change in medium make a big difference? For a musical to succeed, all those questions require a positive answer and a strong production. Fortunately, the production of “Disney’s Finding Nemo,” now at the Marriott Theatre rises to the challenge.
Fans of the 2003 Disney Pixar film will not be disappointed with the Marriott Theatre for Young Audience’s musical; the story is faithful to the Disney version. Those who’ve never seen the movie will be enchanted with the spectacle.
A Father-Son Story
After a barracuda attack almost wipes out an entire Clownfish family, the patriarch, Marlin, is determined that nothing will ever happen to his remaining son, Nemo. The youngster, however, is oblivious to his father’s concern and longs for adventure. One day, he swims off a coral reef, is caught, and taken to the far-away Sidney Aquarium in Australia. There, Nemo meets Gill and other Tank Gang members, all of whom try to escape captivity and return to the sea.
Marlin, meanwhile, goes on an incredible journey to find and rescue his son. Along the way, he meets Dory, a Blue Tang whose belief in Marlin and her childish and optimistic way of dealing with memory lapses help the two on their perilous quest.
A Stunning Production
With exceptional direction and choreography by Amber Mak, the show has condensed the movie scenes to bring the coral reef underwater world and the creatures that inhabit it come to riveting life on stage. From the moment the curtain goes up on the one-hour show there are oohs and aahs from the audience. The wondrous pageantry of sea creatures—sting rays, octopuses, seahorses, sea turtles, and sharks bobbing up and down—are captivating.
The overall impact created by Marriott’s extraordinary creative team is stunning. The scenic special effects of an ocean by scenic designer Milo Bue; lavish, colorful costumes by designer Theresa Ham; the oceanic lighting by designer Brian Elston; and the rushing sound of waves by designer John Johnson come together to create an undulating wave of bubbly blue water and sandy seascapes that are sensational. But the imaginative creation of puppet sea creatures by Puppet designer Jesse Mooney-Bullock is the fantastic jaw-dropping show stopper.
It’s not just the puppetry that makes the sea creatures come alive but it’s the human actors animating the puppets as they seem to swim up and down the auditorium aisles. These make the show so much fun.
Avelyn Lena Choi stands out as Nemo, and Devin DeSantis does a wonderful portrayal of the courageous and determined Marlin (Patrick Michael Tierney will step into the role of Marlin Dec.11 to 22). Leah Morrow, as the ditzy Dory, though, almost steals the show with her antics.
The rest of dynamic cast, portraying a variety of parts, include Charlie Long, Adelina Marinello, Tommy Rivera-Vega, Maya Rowe, Lorenzo Rush Jr., Andres DeLeon, and Genevieve Jane.
There’s even more to like in this rollicking production. The upbeat musical score by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, with musical direction by Ellie Kahn, includes numbers such as “In the Big Blue World,” “Fish Are Friends,” and “Go With the Flow.” The song “Just Keep Swimming,” sung by Dory, encapsulates the musical’s message. The lyrics encourage viewers to persevere and be resilient, especially when facing difficulties or feeling discouraged.
Nothing was spared in making this one of Marriott’s best ever productions for young audiences. It’s a heartwarming, joyous musical comedy that takes viewers to the depths of a watery kingdom overflowing with vibrant marine life. “Finding Nemo” is supposed to be for kids, but Marriott’s production is a feel-good magical show that adults are going love.
‘Disney’s Finding Nemo’
Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences
Marriott Theatre
10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire, Ill.
Tickets: 847-634-0200 or MarriottTheatre.com
Runs: 60 minutes (no intermission)
Closes: Jan. 4, 2026
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