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QUEENS WEEKLY, MARCH 15, 2020
Cuomo introduces ‘superior’ NYS hand sanitizer
made by the state’s incarcerated population
BY ALEX MITCHELL
Some of New York
state’s incarcerated population
is to thank for a
new, cost efficient hand
sanitizer that will be
distributed throughout
schools, the MTA, and
other state agencies in
upcoming days.
Governor Andrew
Cuomo slathered on the
citrusy scented, floral
bouquet “NYS Clean” sanitizer
in Albany on Monday,
calling it “superior”
to competing brands like
Purell — which the governor
has also criticized for
price gouging in the wake
of coronavirus hysteria.
Cuomo also threatened
to put NYS Clean on the
open market if “Mister
Amazon” and others continue
to ramp up pricing
of hand sanitizer and related
products.
Pumping out 100,000
gallons per week, the
state’s prison labor agency
Corcraft is manufacturing
the hand sanitizer
at $6.10 per gallon,
$1.12 for a 7 oz. bottle,
and 84 cents for a small,
handheld hand sanitizer,
Cuomo announced, also
boasting that it contains
75 percent alcohol as opposed
to the CDC recommended
60 percent.
One of the first batches
will be sent to New Rochelle,
a “significant hot
spot” for coronavirus in
the state, according to the
governor.
Governor Andrew Cuomo introduces NYS Clean Hand Sanitizer in Albany.
Photos courtesy of Governor’s Office
Get a heaping portion of ‘Chicken and Biscuits’ at Queens Theatre
BY TAMMY SCILEPPI
If you’re craving something
really good, that you can sink
your teeth into, then how about
a hefty serving of “Chicken and
Biscuits”?
You and yours will surely enjoy
this uniquely satisfying, new
family comedy by playwright,
composer and actor Douglas
Lyons (“Beautiful”), running
through March 22 at Queens Theatre.
Opening night was Friday,
March 6.
Directed by Zhailon Levingston
(“Tina”), “Chicken and
Biscuits” has some surprises in
store for audiences, as sassy sisters
Baneatta, played by Jennifer
Fouche (“Chicago”), and Beverly,
played by Ebony Marshall-Oliver
(“Ain’t No Mo”), reluctantly join
forces when it’s time to bury their
beloved papa, Bernard Jenkins.
Everyone pretty much behaves at
the funeral — where the family
honors him by eating his favorite
dinner of chicken and biscuits —
until a huge secret is revealed.
Can you guess what it is?
“The play itself is also a meal.
There’s shade, love, healing and
comedy all mixed into in one,”
said Lyons, who lives in Astoria.
“This play was my own personal
experiment of clashing
high humor with deep conflict. At
the blink of an eye the audience
may go from laughter to tears,”
he added, noting that the family
you see on stage, “will hopefully
remind you of your own, and audiences
will hopefully want to
call their parents, aunties and
kids afterwards.”
The fabulous group of comedic
actors, who have appeared on
stages and screens all around the
country — from the “Chicago”
National Tour to The Public Theater
and to Netflix’s “When They
See Us” — also includes Robert
G. McKay (“When They See Us”)
as Reginald, Alana Raquel Bowers
(“What to Send Up When It
Goes Down”) as Simone, Josh
Adam Ramos (“Brideshead Obliterated”)
as Kenny, Brendan Ellis
(“Stupid F**king Bird”) as Logan,
Ashanti J’Aria (“Disaster”)
as Brianna, and Aigner Mizzelle
(“Betty & The Belrays”) as
La’trice.
Set in Lyons’ hometown of
New Haven, Connecticut, “Chicken
and Biscuits” was inspired by
a family secret, according to the
playwright, who said he grew up
eating that dinner at least once or
twice a month after church.
“For me, the title symbolizes
traditions in black culture. And
the play is a VIP pass into black
family,” Lyons explained. “It’s
mess, it’s love, it’s comedy and it’s
beauty. I belly-laugh at least once
in every scene.”
The play is also quite unique
because “you rarely see this
many black women leading a
piece,” according to its creator.
Lyons noted that the play’s
message is “a reminder to love
before it’s too late.” And one of
his favorite quotes from “Chicken
and Biscuits” is, “Family is
family. It don’t fade away till it’s
gone.”
The show is recommended for
everyone ages 10 and up.
For tickets, showtimes
and more information, visit
queenstheatre.com.
/queenstheatre.com
