Fredericksburg, Virginia—Birds of a feather put on stage shows together. Making up part of the gross of seagulls in STEP VA Inc.'s performance of Disney/Pixar's “Finding Nemo, Jr.” are Jacob Lieberman and Leo Scrivani, two newer but equally important members of the cast.
STEP VA is the local 501(c)3 nonprofit that empowers people with disabilities and their families through creative expression and sensory exploration. The organization's Spring Musical Experience is now in its fifth year, and this year's show is both the fourth licensed musical and second Disney show.
It also happens to be Lieberman's second show as well.
Having been on stage last year as Ducky Who, one of the residents of Whoville in “Seussical, Jr.,” Lieberman enjoyed being part of the group. It's on par with why many of the STEP VA Spring Musical Experience cast members say they return year after year: they enjoy being with friends. It's one of Lieberman's favorite aspects of being on the cast as well.
The other thing he likes is the dancing, though he admits that he's one of the cast members who finds that learning new dances sometimes can be difficult.
Lieberman's favorite song is the Prologue, but as a fan of stage shows in general, he's enjoying being part of the cast. That he is cast as a seagull is secondary to him, though his cast mates say he's “adapting to the world of 'Finding Nemo, Jr.' very well” and is “made for the role.”
Just over a month away from curtain, Lieberman is looking forward to performing in the show.
Scrivani is also looking forward to the show. Now is in his third STEP VA Spring Musical experience, he got his start as a member of the Peanuts Gang in “You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and moved on to playing Sam-I-Am in “Seussical Jr.,” last year. He's pulling double duty this year, donning a shark fin and pin stripes for one scene and then dancing off into the wings for a quick change into his feathered cap as a sea gull.
He's back this year because, as he says, his favorite thing about rehearsals are getting together with all of his friends from STEP VA, though he also admitted that he enjoys the singing and dancing.
True to the organization's mission statement, the creative team behind the productions gave Scrivani a little push last year, providing him the opportunity to be the only cast member to also be a pre-show performer. He surprised friends and family—only some of whom knew of his talent—with a stunning rendition of “Our Town” by James Taylor.
Though he finds some of the dance moves challenging, Scrivani says he is always up for learning new moves.
A fan of the original “Finding Nemo” movie, his favorite characters were Marlin, Dory, and Crush. He's been singing “Beyond the Sea,” from the original movie, around the house for years, his family says, and while he hasn't launched into any of the songs from Disney/Pixar's “Finding Nemo, Jr.” it's more so because he enjoys them all and doesn't have a single favorite song.
Though he may seem reserved to those who don't know him well, he's ready for people to see that he's is not shy or timid when performing in front of an audience.
Scrivani is looking forward to being in another show with all of the friends that he has made over the last few years and Lieberman thinks everyone will find the show fun to watch as much as he does.
STEP VA's version of Disney's “Finding Nemo, Jr.” will be on stage at Courtland High School, April 12 & 13, 2025, with American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation available for audience members at the show on Saturday, April 12 (6 p.m.). Tickets are $15 (kids under five are free) and are on sale now. CLICK HERE to purchase.
For more information or to donate to STEP VA, visit www.stepva.org.
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STEP VA, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization that provides sensory-based theater and arts programs for individuals with disabilities. Its vision is to transform the world by offering each individual the opportunity to flourish in the community.