By Jim Harris
Alltel Arena has added an extra performance of Disney on Ice’s “Finding Nemo” this weekend: Pencil in a 5:30 p.m. show on Sunday, bringing to eight the number of performances of the Disney/Pixar animated movie at Alltel through Sunday, April 24. (“Nemo” opened Wednesday.)
“Nemo” is choreographed by Cindy Stuart of San Diego, a former competitive skater who trained as a child under the famed Janet Champion. Stuart says cast members “are skaters first,” but director Patty Vincent “is able to pull the acting out of them.”
Stuart skated competitively from age 6 to 18 and then began her professional career in Disney producer Kenneth Feld’s first ice show. She’s been choreographing for 10 years.
Stuart has worked to create a special look for each musical production number in combination with each set change, from the energetic “Nemo’s first day at school” piece to a jellyfish ballet. “A favorite of the audience, I understand, is the baby turtle number. It’s a fun number,” Stuart said. Another favorite is the scene in which the shark, in an AA-type program, learns the 12-step program that fish are friends, not food.
“The show is tons of fun. This cast was amazing in the way they would give of their energy,” Stuart said.
Showtimes are 7 p.m. Thursday, 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, and 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $16 and $21 and are available through all Ticketmaster outlets (975-7575) or the arena box office.
‘Finding Nemo’ skates into Alltel Arena
Audience hooked; Sunday show is added.