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Broadway Veteran, Age 12 Some talented, dedicated performers spend long lives aiming for Broadway and never quite make it. Get there before you’re even a teenager and you’d have to be pretty grounded not to let it rock your boat. Fortunately, 12-year-old Vince Ermita of New Milford isn’t just a stellar young singer. He also excels at just being a kid. Having recently wrapped up a stint playing Young Simba in The Lion King on Broadway, Vince is now once again simply one of the guys at David E. Owens Middle School. He spends plenty of time with friends and his studies— math is “really easy for me,” he says—and he loves to swim. At home Mom and Dad (Anne and Ulysses), encourage him to do his best, while older brothers Junian, 17; Ulysses, 15; and Santino, 14, jam with him in their garage band, The Ermita Brothers. Vince is enjoying these days, but his next big break could come at any time. BERGEN stepped lively to catch up with him. When did you discover your passion for singing? I always loved to sing, even when I was younger. I used to sing along with One Direction [recordings]. Performing just went on from there. How did you know you could turn this passion into a career? My vocal coach, Amelia DeMayo, helped me out with this passion of mine. What were some of your first roles? I was “Young Scrooge” in A Christmas Carol at BergenPAC, and I played “Lawrence” in School of Rock at Tuacahn [Center for the Arts, in Ivins, Utah]. And then came young Simba, your first Broadway gig. Tell us how you got that role. In November 2019, I auditioned in person and got really close but BERGENMAG.COM
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I didn’t make it. But while I was in Utah, I sent in self-tapes and then went on a Zoom audition. Before I knew it, I was in The Lion King! You did about eight shows a week. How did you juggle your time among school, friends and performing? While I was on Broadway, they gave me a tutor for about three months before I eventually went back to regular school. Now that I’m free, I try to hang out with my friends as much as possible. If I have an audition [or assignment] due, I just do it once I get home. Who are your favorite Broadway performers? My Lion King friends are amazing. L. Steven Taylor, who is Mufasa, is a great actor and singer. If you perform with him as Young Simba, he will really act as your father. He also has one of the most powerful voices I’ve heard. Speaking of singing, you’re the lead singer of The Ermita Brothers [aka the 2468 band], the group you formed with your three brothers. What’s it like performing with them? Every summer we play gigs at Kilwins in Ridgewood. They call me “Broadway Boy.” On a scale of 1 to 10, the joy I get from playing with them easily gets an 11! What do you do when you’re not on stage? My favorite hobby is swimming, 100 percent. I’ve been swimming competitively since I was 6, and most of my closest friends are from swimming. We hear you’re a good cook too. I love steak. I like to cook it— but I think I like it better from a professional. Are there cooking shows or other programs in your Netflix queue? My favorite show is probably The Walking Dead. I am a huge fan of zombie stuff, and the acting and the plot are amazing. —Darius Amos
Photos courtesy of Vince Ermita
New Milford’s Vince Ermita is equally at ease at school, in a pool, in front of a mic with his brothers—or on stage in The Lion King.
JUNE 2022
5/18/22 10:12 AM
