Like an A-list actor on a nearly year long "break," audiences have been anxiously awaiting the return of sea lions Clyde and Seamore to live performances. But the thing is, the duo has been learning a whole new "script" jam-packed with fresh behaviors (tricks), comedy and adventures.

Clyde and Seamore's Sea Lion High debuted at SeaWorld Orlando this week. Their old show - which was SeaWorld's longest-running show in its history - closed down last August. Since then, the stadium has been totally redesigned, turned into a 2-story aquatic-themed high school.

The gist is this: It's graduation day and Clyde and Seamore realize they haven't passed all of their classes. They're put through all kinds of crash courses so that they can get their scholarships to Ocean University.

"[It's] totally different," said Peter John, visiting from England when comparing the new show to the original. "Totally revamped. We absolutely loved it. Absolutely loved it."

"They were trained so well and they could do really cool tricks," 9-year-old Wyatt Brewster, Winnipeg, Canada, told me. He and his family were also in the audience for the debut show.

"I'm going to tell my friends: first of all, come here and watch the show. Second of all, you'll really like it," said his brother Evan, 7.

"Yea, they need to come!" Oscar John chimed in, with a British accent. "It's really good fun."

The following is a press release we got from SeaWorld Orlando on opening day:

The all-new sea lion comedy adventure “Clyde & Seamore's Sea Lion High” is now open at SeaWorld Orlando. Full of fun and big personalities of sea lions, walruses and otters, the show takes place in an aquatic-themed high school where laughter and education go hand in hand (er, flipper).

A special new pre-show salutes teachers from all over, and guests learn new information about the animal stars, their relationships with the trainers, and how the animals are trained.

True to the more than 40-year legacy of SeaWorld’s beloved sea lion shows, Sea Lion High is an entertaining and fun comedy that is a perfect fit for sea lions’ large personalities. Through the adventures, laughs and endearing animal antics, guests are inspired to care about these amazing animals.

When Clyde and Seamore are nominated to win scholarships to Ocean University, they must enter crash courses in science, dance and gym in a storyline that is full of fast-paced fun. Also woven into the comedy are moments that subtly teach lessons such as the importance of keeping our oceans healthy.

Sea Lion High features a new, two-story set that is the marine mammal high school, complete with sea lion-sized waterslides and elevators for otters. SeaWorld’s animal stars and trainers have also worked together to put together amazing new behaviors.

“We love creating a show like ‘Clyde & Seamore’s Sea Lion High’,” said Kelly Flaherty Clark, curator of animal training. “Finding entertaining ways to encourage guests to care about these animals is what we do, and this show does it in a way that makes you smile and laugh.”

The creative process to produce a show like “Clyde & Seamore’s Sea Lion High” is highly collaborative between animal trainers and the group of writers and directors. In fact, the process always starts with the animals. We watch interactions and relationship sessions with them and their trainers, looking for unique ways to highlight their natural abilities.

“The show takes our guests on a journey where they’ll learn about celebrating, connecting and caring for the natural world,” said Michael Fletcher, SeaWorld Orlando’s vice president of entertainment. “But this is a Clyde and Seamore production, and that means it’ll be hilarious and zany.”

The best way to experience “Clyde & Seamore’s Sea Lion High” and all that SeaWorld has to offer is with a 2015 SeaWorld Orlando Fun Card, where guests pay for a day and play all year. Plus, for a limited-time, guests who purchase a Fun Card can also enjoy a one-day visit to Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark.