Dive Right In

An underwater world is rising from the ice at the Ector County Coliseum, but viewers must hurry to see it before it's drained away.
Wet suits aren't required for the experience.

Disney On Ice presents the Academy-Award-winning Pixar animation "Finding Nemo," with its distinctive flare of talent and choreographed precision on the rink.

Opening night for the Odessa shows was Thursday, but there are still four other performances this weekend to enjoy.
Thirty-five skaters from eight different countries take to the ice in character costumes for the lovable story of a clownfish named Marlin in search of his lost son, Nemo.

As the adventure unfolds throughout Australia's Great Barrier Reef, the protective father is joined by a school of other oceanic creatures like baby sea turtles, "The Tank Gang" and a blue tang named Dory.

Bethany Wood, an ensemble skater in the Disney show, said the live "humanized" performance follows a close, condensed version of the animation's storyline.

"We are telling the story of ‘Finding Nemo' - it's not just a variety show," she said. "All the same scenes and messages are relayed in the ice version."

The Odessa appearances mark the end of an eight-month tour for the cast and crew, and in September, the show will begin touring throughout Europe, Wood said.

The 18-year-old Canadian said she started skating when she was 6 and dreamed of working for Disney On Ice.
Children are often allured by the exciting characters, but it's the colorful effects, large props, video and lighting, that boost the professional level of the high-energy performance skating.

"You feel like you're under the water when you watch our show because all of the lighting and there's a four-story-tall coral tower," Wood said. "Our show has tons of things to offer for all ages - it's full-family entertainment, with or without their children."

Julie Thomas, 25, said she wraps up her sixth tour with Disney, portraying the role of Nemo  - complete with an orange and white costume of bulging eyes, fish fins and tail.

"Skating with a costume is sort of something you get used to," she said. "This one is so exciting because we're portraying fish."
The large-scale production includes some humorous one-liners and lights up children's eyes, Thomas said, but it really brings the in-person magic of Disney to all audience members.

"I love to just go out and do the performance every night knowing that it's the audience's first time seeing the show," she said. "This show is for everyone from 2 to 82."

WANT TO GO?
>> Disney On Ice presents ‘Finding Nemo' at 7:30 p.m. today,
3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and
2 p.m. Sunday at the Ector County Coliseum, 4201 Andrews Highway.
>> Tickets are $15 and $20; available at www.disneyon ice.com, Luskey's Western Wear and Super Mercado in Midland.
>> Call 800-462-7979.

ON THE NET
>> Disney On Ice: www. disneyonice. com