STEP VA Cast Profile – Andrew Bozhanov and Reeve Watson
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
by Brigid O'Leary
FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA—No fairy-tale adventure is complete without the woodland creature friends, and the cast of STEP VA Inc.'s version of “Shrek the Musical JR” is no exception. As the local 501(c)3 nonprofit that “empowers people with disabilities and their families through creative expression and sensory exploration” brings the story to the stage, the cast will include eight woodland creatures as the Forest Animal Ensemble, including a raccoon played by Andrew Bozhanov and a rabbit who, in real life, is Reeve Watson.
Bozhanov joins the cast for his first STEP VA Spring Musical Experience, which will be his first time on stage in this kind of production in general. He joined the cast, he said earlier in the season, because he wanted to try his hand at being an actor and that—the acting—had him the most excited for the season. The experience, he hoped, would help build his confidence.
Now that rehearsals are well under way, it seems to be living up to what Bozhanov had wanted it to be. He reports that he “loves it,” though he admits that all the singing has been a challenge for him.
Even for some of the “old guard,” the singing and dancing can be challenging, but Bozhanov has castmates like Watson, who has returned for his fifth year.
“I love my STEP VA friends and singing and dancing. I love making everyone happy when I'm on stage,” Watson said.
Watson has been involved with the STEP VA Spring Musical Experience since 2022, when he played Young Simba in Disney's “The Lion King, Kids!” He went on to play Charlie Brown's conscience in “You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” one of the Wickhersham Brothers in “Suessical, Jr.” and the longnose butterfly fish father, in Disney/Pixar's “Finding Nemo, Jr.” last year.
Like many returning cast members, early in the season Watson said he was most “looking forward to being with friends and learning the new songs and dances.” At the time he added that he “want[ed] to grow socially and have fun.”
It's appropriate, then, that one of the songs in the show is “I'm a Believer,” as it's easy to believe in the STEP VA cast and crew, and how much they will each grow—socially, personally, and theatrically—through the experience. It shouldn't be a surprise that that happens to be Bozhanov's favorite song in the show.
Come see Bozhanov and Watson believe in themselves, each other, and their friends as STEP VA Inc. stages Shrek the Musical JR at Courtland High School, April 18 at 6 p.m. and April 19, at 3 p.m..
Tickets on sale now at stepva.org.
