By Merle Exit
Forest Hills resident Mark Lord has lived in Queens since 1969, but it was only a few years ago that he wrote a musical about the borough, “Let’s Hear it For Queens,” which was co-produced by the Free Synagogue of Flushing Community Theatre Group.
Now, this author, lyricist and director, who also freelances as a theater writer for one of Queens’ weekly papers, is set to debut his second show, “Made in South Queens,” at the Black Spectrum Theatre in Jamaica.
“We basically follow the story of a young child who has been asked to make a presentation in this classroom, where each kid somehow has to make history come alive,” Lord said. “The child speaks to his grandmother about where she was living as all comes alive on stage in dialogue, song and dance.”
Sometimes, however, the grandson will become a granddaughter as the role will be shared by a young actor and actress during the show’s run. Most of the other 17 cast members each take on multiple roles.
Originally, Carl Clay, founder of the Black Spectrum, asked Lord to bring “Let’s Hear it For Queens” to Jamaica. But after thinking about it, Clay asked Lord to create a new musical that focused specifically on the history of the southern part of the borough.
Lord describes the new show as being a spin-off from the original rather than a sequel.
As the child digs deeper into the story of Southern Queens, he — or she — hears about the people and places that helped shape the area. The young character is also introduced to time-specific fads and fashions, like Afro hairstyles and boom box radios toted on the shoulder. All of which is played out on stage in front of the audience.
“It’s seen through the eyes of the people who tell the story and as it is being perceived by the young person,” Lord said. “By the end of the show, we will see a magical bus tour taking them around the neighborhood to see the historic events.”
The show, made up of a series of vignettes and about a dozen songs — including seven original ones written by Derek Galloway — uses versions of real-life Southeast Queens residents like Archie Spigner, who in 1974 became the first African-American elected to the New York City Council, orating from atop a soapbox about the issues of drug dealing and crime. Other scenes talk about how Jamaica was once a neighborhood of mostly white residents of Italian or Jewish descendent.
“Eventually, we come to a play within a play,” Lord said. “It’s a small concert taking place on the stage of Black Spectrum that pays tribute to some of the artists that come from that area and then we see the actual presentation that the child presents to his class.”
A special free performance will be presented on Friday, March 13. Call to reserve tickets.
If you Go
“Made in South Queens”
When: March 6 – March 15, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, Sundays at 4 pm
Where: Black Spectrum Theatre, 199-07 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica
Cost: $25
Contact: (718) 723-1800
Website: www.black
