Michael Fernandez, Michelle Antelo, Luis Acosta in A Bicycle Country.
Like Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland, "putting on a show" is a family affair at the Main Street Players Theater in Miami Lakes.
The small community theater, the longest continuously-running community theater group in Miami-Dade County, is a labor of love for the Lyzniak family – Clara, Dennis and son, Jason.
President for the past eight years, Clara Lyzniak became involved with the theater when her son Jason was seven years old (“I was a stage mom”) and has served many functions including board member, producer and actor.
In fact, in 2012, Lyzniak won best supporting actress by Miami New Times for her role as Zoila in the Main Street Player’s production of Lisa Loomer's Living Out, a play depicting the relationship between a Salvadoran nanny (Lyzniak) and her Anglo employer.
Miami New Times called Lyzniak’s portrayal of the Hispanic nanny, “a show-stopping performance.”
Modest about her accomplishments, Lyzniak says that despite the theater being low-key, many actors got their start on their stage and have gone on to professional acting careers.
“People like to perform at our theater,” says Lyzniak. “We’re easy to get along with. We’re not divas and we have no agenda. We’re a venue that gives opportunities to beginning actors who may not have experience or a resume,” she says.
Lyzniak likes to think of Main Street Players as a stepping stone between college and professional theater and notes that their casting requirements are more liberal than at more traditional theaters.
“Actors would be turned away if they are not the right age for a part,” she says and illustrates her point with the recently cast Michelle Antelo as Ines in Nilo Cruz’ recently produced A Bicycle Country.
A 2012 graduate of FIU, Antelo was young for the role, but Lyzniak says, “She was beautiful and perfect and couldn’t thank us enough.”
Dennis Lyzniak, a man of many talents and a retired engineer is the playhouse manager, technical director, set builder, grants writer and children’s theater camp coordinator.
He received the Remy Award for Outstanding Contributions to Community Theater by Miami New Times in 2013.
Son Jason, who started it all with his interest in theater, earned a degree in radio and television production and works as a film editor for HBO Latin America.
He recently founded his own production company, Samurai Snacks Productions and is mounting a film festival next November in Miami Lakes called West of Cannes.
"We want to provide opportunities for independent filmmakers to showcase their films in a welcoming environment, and give them a platform to network amongst industry professionals and fellow cinematic artists," says Jason Lyzniak.
The theater will serve as a venue for the festival, which will culminate in an awards night on Nov. 22.
God of Carnage: Manny Catalino, Christine LaRochelle, Rachel Stone, and Robert Anderson.
Coppel, trained as a lawyer and actor, says the theater takes risks most community theaters won’t and their audience appreciates it.
“We like to mix it up,” he says. “In addition to comedies and light musicals, we like to challenge and inspire our audiences.”
He points to the first show he directed in 2006, Never the Sinner, John Logan’s documentary play of Leopold and Loeb, accused in 1924 of the "crime of the century."
“Our niche is attracting people who are serious about the theater and providing top quality entertainment in an intimate environment at reasonable prices,” he says.
A number of actors who got their start at the theater are Edmund and Gary Entin, who appeared alongside Jason Lyzniak in Lost in Yonkers and are now finding success in Los Angeles writing, directing and starring in studio films.
Miami native Chris Costa, 28, stayed on the east coast and is pursuing an acting career in New York City. He signed with an agent and has appeared as Christian (a shark lawyer) in the web series, People You Know.
At Main Street, Costa appeared in Neil Simon’s Biloxi Blues and the musical, The Spitfire Grill.
“Even though the Main Street Players is a community theater, its productions are always good,” says Costa.
“I became a better actor because of the people I worked with,” he remembers. “And because the venue is so intimate, you have to be on the whole time – you can’t fake it.”
“Clara and Dennis are so involved and care so much, that feeling transmits to the cast,” Costa continues. “We realize how important it is for the community to have such a special place as this theater.”
God of Carnage opens Friday, April 24 and runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. through May 17. At the Main Street Playhouse, 6766 Main St., Miami Lakes. (305) 558-3737. www.mainstreetplayers.com.
