Program Spotlight

Partnership Draws Rave Reviews, Young Musicians and Actors Stretch Their Talent

Published Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Syncing live music with actors for a musical is tricky business, but it’s working for The Roxy Theatre Group and the Greater Miami Youth Symphony.

Actors and musicians for the two organizations dedicate upwards of 100 hours in rehearsals and performance time in an effort to coordinate the musical score with the acting. In addition to the hours in rehearsal, daily practice at home is essential. All this on top of a teen’s hectic pace with school.

Full Cast of How to Suceed in Business Without Really Trying.

Yet Relyn Myrthil, a 14-year-old violinist with the GMYS, jumped at the chance to form part of the volunteer orchestra that plays for The Roxy Theatre’s performances. The two organizations have partnered to offer five collaborative performances over the past 18 months, and musicians like Relyn, though she also must keep up her rehearsal schedule at GMYS, volunteer repeatedly. On a personal level for the young actors and musicians, and at an institutional level for GMYS and The Roxy, the partnership has proved to be a smashing success. Both organizations are supported by The Children’s Trust.

“It’s really fun playing with the cast and very rewarding. It’s really helped me become a lot better musician – I really don’t care how much I have to practice,” says Relyn, squeezing into her spot in the orchestra pit for a rehearsal. A home-schooled teen who has played with GMYS for seven years, she hopes to attend the prestigious Boston School of Music and knows that the experience of playing live music for Broadway shows is valuable.

Both Relyn and her 12-year-old brother, Jyasi, are playing in The Roxy production, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Brother and sister practice their pieces together at home.

Students musicians from GMYS and FIU provide musical
accompaniment.

“It’s a very big commitment, but so great for the whole family. The little ones learn from the big ones, and we all come for the opening night shows,” says Renee Myrthil, mother of six – four of them musicians. “It’s Jyasi’s first time playing for a musical theatre production, and he’s become more responsible and accountable for his practicing and making sure he’s on time.”

“We’re so pleased with the opportunity for the children; it’s a blessing for us. Bill [Duncan, musical conductor] is amazing – really patient,” Myrthil added.

“There’s such closeness that comes from the partnering; when the show finishes they’re sad to leave.”

Two years ago, a Children’s Trust contract manager suggested the collaboration idea to the directors of both organizations. They loved the idea and grasped its potential immediately, remembers Susie Pinedo, publicist for The Roxy. Rehearsals began three months later and the first collaborative show, West Side Story, opened in early 2009.

Acting ensemble for Roxy's "How to Succeed at Business
Without Really Trying" show.

Bill Duncan, whose two daughters have taken full advantage of The Roxy’s rich offering of music, dance and drama classes, has served as volunteer musical director for several years. Prior to the collaboration with GMYS, he recruited high school student musicians as best he could. Now with the GMYS partnership, Duncan can count on a core group of well-trained musicians for the productions. The numbers for the volunteer orchestra average about 20, with 16 for the current show.

“As high schoolers they’re used to playing high school music. These are professional scores, and the music is like a jazz script,” Duncan explains. “The music requires that most of the musicians play multiple instruments. It’s fun and a thrill for them, and a lot of work.”

Bill Duncan, volunteer musical conductor at The Roxy.

Both organizations say the partnership has evolved smoothly, buttered by good communication. “We’ve always been very careful to respect GMYS’ schedule and to cater around their rehearsals,” explains Pinedo, adding that one compensation has been to offer Roxy Sunday matinee shows at 5:30 p.m. because GMYS rehearses until 5 p.m. that day.

“It’s very tricky to coordinate the music and the acting, a real challenge,” says Ana Andreu, Roxy program director and along with Jorgina Fernandez, a co-director of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Lead actors log close to 120 hours of preparation time, ensembles 80 and more, both begin preparing months before any show. The music and acting begins to come together a month prior to the opening at Saturday rehearsals, sometimes eight hours long, Andrea explains.

“The collaboration has been excellent. It gives our students an opportunity to perform in a different medium and to see another way they can use their instruments,” says Melissa Lesniak, executive director of GMYS.

“It’s a pretty serious commitment in terms of rehearsals and shows, yet a lot of the students have done multiple shows so they must be enjoying it. They seem excited to perform in a musical and they get to expand their circle of friends in the arts,” she added.

Knowing that the scores were professional works that called for multiple instrument parts, Lesniak remembers being a bit wary for the opening night of the first show. Yet she was very impressed with the performance and has been since.

The idea for collaborations both with the Roxy and other organizations has continued to flower.

Relyn Myrthil concentrates on her music.

In addition to the musical productions, the two organizations partner for the Spooky Symphony, offered every Halloween at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts. Roxy actors, dressed in ghoulish garb, serve as ushers, adding pizzazz to the event. In the summer, GMYS invites camps to its performances and is currently exploring partnering options with Thomas Armour Youth Ballet.

The Roxy recently formed a partnership with New Theatre, offering its space on SW 107th Avenue for the professional theatre company’s rehearsals and performances.

“For our students to have access to professional actors and playwrights has been fabulous. Both organizations have so much to gain from partnering with each other,” Pinedo said.

Corey Vega, this year's "Mr. Broadway, has aspirations for
a career in theater.

Corey Vega, an 18-year-old senior at G. Holmes Braddock, has taken singing, acting and dance classes at The Roxy for years. For the production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, he’s playing his biggest role to date. On opening night, in fact, Vega was recognized with the “Mr. Broadway” award for the most improved member of the cast over the past year.

“It’s super fun to have the GMYS musicians with us. The live music adds spice to the show, and we’re very lucky to have them. It makes our shows that much richer.”

Written by Michael R. Malone, The Children's Trust