NEW YORK – Fans of "Finding Nemo" (search) will be able to find the little clownfish this winter -- on ice.
The Disney/Pixar film about a fish's oceanic adventure is getting the Disney on Ice treatment with elaborate costumes and choreographed routines inspired by the popular animated film.
"Finding Nemo" begins its 13-city tour in Lakeland, Fla., on Sept. 3. Other stops include Nashville, Tenn.; Richmond, Va.; Atlanta; and East Rutherford, N.J. The final stop is scheduled Dec. 8-12 in Raleigh, N.C.
"This is completely unlike any other show," costumer designer Scott Lane told The Associated Press Tuesday.
Lane, who also designed costumes for 2003's "Monsters Inc." (search) live-action production, turned the film's underwater computer-generated characters into an above water 145-piece costume extravaganza featuring fish, sharks, jellyfish, pelicans and turtles.
Creating the sea creature costumes proved to be a fishy endeavor for Lane.
"Fish are more horizontal," said Lane. "People stand up. Fish don't have a ground, they live on many levels."
For several of the costumes, which take nearly a year to create, Lane incorporated the legs of the performers so "the fish is as much of the performer as the performer is as much of the fish."
Because "Finding Nemo" is set underwater, Lane promises more movement on the ice and undulating costume elements.
His favorite part of the show? A ballet in which 24 performers become an array of jellyfish.
"There's a lot more good old-fashioned ice skating," said Lane.
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