The Catskill Chronicle

MOUNTAINDALE – The Mountaindale Community Development Project and Big Sky Productions proudly present a staged reading of John Ford Noonan’s hilarious play, A Coupla White Chicks Sitting Around Talking on Saturday, March 6 and Sunday, March 7.

A Coupla White Chicks Sitting Around Talking was originally seen Off-Broadway with Eileen Brennan and Susan Sarandon.

The story takes place in the kitchen of an upscale Westchester County home. Maude Mix is a suburban housewife who bakes cookies for good causes and schedules her life – reading, running, tennis lessons, etc. – down to the minute.

When her “hyper-friendly” neighbor, Hannah Mae Bindler – just moved up from Austin, Texas – walks in uninvited and asks for some coffee and girl talk, Maude tells her “this is not going to work, we have no future as neighbors.” But Hannah Mae is not so easily deterred and she pesters Maude into a friendship that will eventually go above and beyond the normal definition. The N.Y. Daily News said "A Coupla White Chicks…"was ‘dandy’” and Time Magazine called it "A lighter than air comedy."

The show will feature local actresses Sharlene Hartman of Middletown as Maude Mix and Carol Montana of Grahamsville as Hannah Mae Bindler.

Sharlene Hartman has a B.A. in Broadcast Communications from San Francisco State University and is the creator of the Emmy nominated children’s show "Kid’s Stuff", which she also hosted. She attended The American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. After graduating from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles, she came to New York. She has done numerous commercials and live industrial work for many corporations, as well as many plays.

Carol Montana has a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Arts from SUNY at Stony Brook and a Master’s Degree in Dramatic Form and Structure from the University of Connecticut. She’s the founder and artistic director of Big Sky Productions and has directed over 40 plays, and acted in more than 15.

A portion of the proceeds from both performances will benefit the Mountaindale Community Development Project (MCDP). The MCDP is committed to the sustainable development of Mountaindale as a year-round business and arts community that enriches the lives of residents, merchants and visitors through creative and innovative initiatives. The MCDP embarks on meaningful projects that foster the growth of Mountaindale through the support of economic development, arts, culture & history, the environment, recreation, education and housing.

In conjunction with this production, Nonni’s Trattoria & Pizzeria of Mountaindale is offering a “Good Neighbor” Dinner Special: two delicious dinners for $21.95. Entrees include: Stuffed Flounder, Stuffed Pork Chop, Chicken Francese, Shrimp Fra Diabolo, or Chicken Cordon Bleu. All dinners served with antipasto and fresh homemade bread. This special is only good with ticket purchase for the Mountaindale production of A Coupla White Chicks Sitting Around Talking. Nonni’s Trattoria & Pizzeria is located at 4 Post Hill Road in Mountaindale. Please ask for details when you call to make your show reservations.

Tickets for A Coupla White Chicks Sitting Around Talking are $10 plus one non-perishable food item which will be donated to Sullivan County food pantries.

"A Coupla White Chicks Sitting Around Talking" will be performed on Saturday, March 6 at 8:00 p.m. and on Sunday, March 7 at 2:00 p.m. in the Mountaindale Community Room at 62 Main Street in Mountaindale.

Reservations are suggested; please call 845-434-4747 or 845-985-7783.

"A Coupla White Chicks Sitting Around Talking" is being performed by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

*Photo Caption – Big Sky Productions’ Carol Montana (left) and Sharlene Hartman perform in "A Coupla White Chicks Sitting Around Talking."