Mother Anne of Lion King’s Vince Ermita young Simba: ‘It’s surreal he is performing with big stars on Broadway’

By Marivir R. Montebon

New York – When asked about how she feels about her young son being an actor for The Lion King on Broadway, Anne Ermita still couldn’t believe it. “It is surreal. I cannot believe my son is with big names on Broadway,” she told me.

Young Simba Vince Ermita takes a bow before a highly pleased audience. Looking on are: Adrienne Walker (Nala), Stephen Carlile (Scar), Brandon McCall (Simba), and L. Steven Taylor (Mufasa)

Anne, a nurse at the NY Presbyterian Hospital, is mother of 11-year-old Vince who plays young Simba in the reopening of The Lion King after over a year of hiatus due to the pandemic. She and cousin Louie Aves take turns in chaperoning the young actor who performs four times a week.

Since its opening on September 24, aunt Louise has watched the show more than five times. “I have almost memorized the lines. Perhaps, I can be a substitute soon,” she laughed.

Vince, the youngest of a brood of four, gets to relax in the weekend and on Mondays. He is home-schooled until his contract ends in a year, or until he grows too tall for the role. He is also continuing his voice lessons during the entire performance season.

The Ermitas, originally from Cebu, live in New Jersey in a rather musical home. All of Anne’s sons play musical instruments and could sing. They have a band called 2468 which performs in local events.

With Vince opening up the road to stage performing, Anne continues to think that this may just be a passing phase, a hobby of sorts for Vince. “Only time will tell. But we are here to support him always.”