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my wig, nice flat shoes, and I’m in character completely,” she said. A native of the Bronx, Danielle feels right at home “An ode to the old days.” here. That’s how Ashlee Danielle describes “The Last “The Black theater pool in New York is very tight,” Block Association,” the play in which she is currently she explained, so she already knew some of her fellow appearing at Black Spectrum Theatre in St. Albans, with cast members. five performances remaining through Nov. 5. Clay pointed out that the cast is a diversified group, Written and directed by Carl Clay, the play centers coming from various parts of the world. on the day-to-day issues that many urban block associ“It’s a welcome challenge to bring everybody ations face in 21st-century America. together,” he said. Clay, who grew up in St. Albans, recalled in a phone Clay expects the show’s audiences to be diverse, interview that his parents were both involved in their too, the better to relate to the play’s storyline: “A new block association. family moves into the neighborhood and everybody “Being a young person, you’re there when they have has issues with them.” their meetings. You can’t help overhearing the issues The play also “represents some young people in the that come up,” he said. play; it gets into some young people’s issues,” he As the years went by, Clay noticed that these organiadded. zations, which address common neighborhood issues And he said that the show is relevant to today’s sociranging from housing conditions and economic devel- “The Last Block Association,” an original play about neighborhood issues, ety, “reflecting demographic and sociological shifts, PHOTO COURTESY CARL CLAY opment to traffic safety and social activities, were runs through Nov. 5 at Black Spectrum Theatre. reflecting the neighborhood at large.” Southeast slowly but surely disappearing. The first in-house production of this theatrical season, the figures that ran the block,” Clay said. “Pauline is take- Queens, he said, is “more integrated than ever.” At the center of the play, Pauline struggles to keep her 54th for the company, the play began to take shape during charge, like her father. She wanted to be like him.” “It’s an homage to the way communities used to bond block together despite the neighborhood’s changes. the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Clay. “I’m excited. It’s a fun, heartfelt, quirky piece,” Danielle “No one was going anywhere,” he said, and “it was together,” Danielle said. The role is the first at Black Spectrum for Danielle, who said. something I always wanted to do,” namely, paying tribute to Performances at Black Spectrum Theatre (located in Roy studied at both the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and a dying, longstanding tradition. Remembering that “there was always somebody in St. John’s University, and it presents the actress with several Wilkins Park, at 177th Street and Baisley Boulevard in St. Albans) continue Nov. 2, 3 and 4 at 7 p.m., Nov. 4 at 2 p.m. charge” at the meetings, Clay created Danielle’s character, a challenges. “She’s a bit older,” Danielle explained of her character. “I and Nov. 5 at 4 p.m. Tickets are $35. For further informawoman named Pauline, whose father ran a block association. Q The characters in the play “were created to represent the leaned on my grandma and mama” for inspiration. “I put on tion, visit blackspectrum.net or call (718) 723-1800.
by Mark Lord
qboro contributor
Page 33 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, November 2, 2023
Play asks, can there be unity in the community?
‘Death by Chocolate’ not just a dream but a comedy
Crossword Answers
royal children in “The King and I.” The lifelong resident of Maspeth said this production marks his first stage appearance since the Covid-19 pandemic. During the hiatus he enlisted in the National Guard, spending several months training in Missouri. Now, he’s back home, a college student by day and an enthusiastic thespian at night. Comparing himself to his character, Browne explained, “I’m interested in fitness. Appearance-wise I fit the part,” but that’s where the similarities end. Whereas he claims to be a real-life goofball who likes to play pranks, Deadwood has a “mean, twisted demeanor.” Playing such a character doesn’t come easily to Browne, who admitted it’s quite a challenge to interact in character with his fellow performers. For Spinetti, one of the greatest challenges in this production has been how to handle the play’s wide variety of jokes. “It’s hard to hit them all,” she said. And, she added, getting the pacing right has also taken work. Despite some dark humor, the play should prove appropriate for all age groups, Spinetti said, equating it with many Disney films in which some jokes go over
Christina Lama, left, as Margaret Daniels, and Tara Gleason as John Stone at a recent rehearsal of “Death by Chocolate.” On the cover: More members of the cast, including Alison Goldman, with gun, as Lady Riverdale, Kerryclare Gleason, top, Landon Browne, Ashley Gleason, Padraig Gleason and Claudia Whitmore. The comical show runs this PHOTOS BY KERRYCLARE GLEASON weekend and next at St. Mary’s Auditorium in Woodside. the heads of young audiences. Performances at St. Mary’s Auditorium (70-20 47 Ave., Woodside) are on Nov. 4 and 11 at 6:30 p.m. and Nov. 5 and 12 at
3:30 p.m. Reserved seats are $25; general admission tickets are $20. For further information, visit stmarysdramaguild.org or call Q (347) 450-6184.
For the latest news visit qchron.com
continued from page 31 “It was just as I remember it,” she said. “It is so much fun. I thought it would feel weird. But it’s like riding a bicycle. It feels natural, like I never stopped doing it.” In contrast, Landon Browne, 19, who plays the gym instructor, described by the actor as “an overall jerky kind of fellow, a jock bully,” said he has been with St. Mary’s — on and off — since the age of 5, when he made his stage debut there as one of the
