HONESDALE, PA — The Honesdale Performing Arts Center will open its season with the Disney musical “Finding Nemo, Jr.” on Friday, November 22 and Saturday, November 23 at 7 p.m. at the Honesdale High School Performing Arts Center. 

Wayne Highlands Middle School actors star in the adaptation of the 2003 Pixar movie. 

“Finding Nemo, Jr.” is the story of an overly cautious father clownfish, Marlin, and his absent-minded friend Dory, who swim with the sharks, take on the jellyfish and ride the current with Crush the turtle as they search for Marlin’s son Nemo.

The cast is Shawn Whalen (Nemo), Ben Klisiewicz (Marlin), Abby Flederbach (Dory) and Madeline Pierce (Coral, Pearl’s Parent).

Other stars include Parker Shariatmadari (Anchor), Kismet Fazio (Bloat), Kinley Turner (Breeze), Kinley Platt Bruce (Shark Bruce, Nigel) and Keith Weir (Barracuda, Shark, Back of Bruce). Addie Nacinovich plays Bubbles, Anthony Fortuso is Chum, Riley Schmidt plays Crush and Evelyn Bond is Gill.

Other cast members include Lilianna Mang (Grouper the Green Fish), Sophia Bond (Gurgle), Addie O’Rourke (Kai) and Brynn Mahon (Lobster 1/Eel 1/Octopus 1) and Emma Leopardi (Lobster 2/Eel 2/Octopus 2).

Don’t forget to watch for the following ocean dwellers: Hannah Curtis, Scarlett Klisiewicz, Livian Bolella-St.Ledger, FrannySue Menechino, Kylie Wojtowicz, Mason Moody and Vada Killam. 

The dancers include Iris Amato, Ayla D’Albora, Brielle Knapp, Kendall Stinavage, Kinnley Turner, Chloe Tyler, Zoey Tyler and Teagan Whaley. The seaweed dancers are Destiny Ammann, Owen Dennis, Leila Duda, Jenna Fink, Anna Gladson, Isabella Gonzalez, Mabel Haffey, Averie Hager, Audrey Memechino, Bentley Murphy-Wright, Peyton Panzella, Greta Pierce, Cassie Shrek, Adeline Siepiela, Aria Stangler and Bailey Van Antwerp.

Lyla-Rose Hanson, Cailin Maxwell, Ryleigh Mosher, Phaedra O’Malley Caden, Lucy Rolston and Zoey Rupp play silver moon fish.

The tropical fish are Gabby Foley, Aubrey Gangale, Gianna Hamilton, Kaleigh Kelly, Ronan Kirk, Landry Peterson, Tatum Reiss, Avery Schneider, Makayla Smith, Nola Stormfeltz, Mackenzi Verrill and Rayne Wathen.

The production is stage-managed by Luca Pasquini and the student assistant director is Quinn J. Miller.

The musical is directed by Scott D. Miller and musical direction is by Martha Curtis.

Regular tickets cost $12; senior tickets (aged 62 and up) cost $10. For students and children aged 3-5 the cost is $9 and $5 respectively. 

Purchase tickets at www.honesdalepac.com or by calling the Honesdale Performing Arts box office at 570/251-9831. 

Performances are recommended for a general audience. 

The center is located at 459 Terrace St.

Finding Nemo, Jr. is presented through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International.

Learn more about the Honesdale Performing Arts Center at www.honesdalepac.com.