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We have an update to share about the “big blue world”! That’s right, Walt Disney World Resort’s Finding Nemo-themed stage show is taking steps towards reopening at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
When Disney and Pixar’s Finding Nemo (2003) animated film debuted, it was an instant success with its colorful and exciting characters that called the “big blue” (AKA the ocean) home. The film’s loveable Royal Blue Tang fish character known as “Dory” (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres) spurred a second film called Finding Dory in 2016.
Finding Nemo‘s success led to attractions at EPCOT including The Seas with Nemo & Friends and Turtle Talk with Crush which still welcome Disney Park Guests. Over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Finding Nemo – The Musical was a live performance stage show located in the Park’s DinoLand U.S.A.
Little did we know at the time, but on March 12, 2020, the Finding Nemo Musical said its final goodbyes as the Disney experience closed due to COVID. The stage show has yet to reopen over two years later, but we’re thrilled to learn that as previously shared the show will return, slightly altered and now titled Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!
While Disney has announced the updated stage show would be making a return in 2022, we have heard crickets about when that may be. The great news is currently Disney has open auditions for vocalists and musical theatre performers who are local to Central Florida with Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond in mind.
The Disney audition description notes, “Disney Live Entertainment is seeking Musical Theatre Performers and Vocalists of all ethnicities and gender identities to portray principal and ensemble roles for Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond! and for Special Events and Conventions, for the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL.”
Furthermore, we know exactly which Finding Nemo film characters we can expect to see during the new show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom as Disney lists the following performers for Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond:
- Bruce: 30s. A vegetarian great white shark. Can go from screaming rockers to an elegant soft shoe. Comedic baritone and able to handle harmonies.
- Crush: 20s – 30s. Laidback and fun-loving “surfer dude” turtle. Wise old father with the ability to rock. High tenor, must have effortless, sustained, full voice/mix high ‘C’.
- Dory: Mid – 20s. A forgetful, yet very optimistic ladyfish and Marlin’s companion during this journey. Extremely quirky and an expert with comedic material. Character singer.
- Marlin: Mid – 20s. Over-protective yet very loving father, vulnerable. Huge heart, great comedic talent. Scared of virtually everything. Baritone and able to handle musical ‘patter’.
- Nemo: Early 20s. Plays a youthful boy. Adorable, endlessly curious, spirited, childlike, and fearless, yet at the same time naïve and vulnerable. Bright and youthful mix or belt. Vocal Range Ab3-Eb5.
- Gill: 30’s/40’s. Baritone. A tough-talking maverick who comes with a great deal of wisdom and history. A wounded war hero type who carries his scars with him.
- Ensemble: Musical Theatre style. Strong vocalist and mover, with strong storytelling ability. Casting will have an intentionally inclusive BIPOC approach.
All of the noted roles above will also be responsible for working with a “diverse array of puppetry styles, including rod, bunraku, and hand puppetry.”
Disney shares very little about the new stage show with Disney Parks Blog‘s most recent update noting, “Although our Disney Live Entertainment team is still in the early stages of development for the show, the musical retelling of this underwater tale of family, friendship and kindness will feature new story material, as well as fan-favorite songs such as “In the Big Blue World” and “Go with the Flow.”
Do you have what it takes to audition for one of these roles? Check out all the details and how to audition here. In the meantime, we’ll do our best to wait patiently for the return of the live stage show, “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond!“
