MAMAKATING – Welcome the beginning of the holiday season at The Mamakating Library on Tuesday, November 26 with a free performance of “Shorts & Sweets of Gratitude and Humor” by Big Sky Productions. The show starts at 5:30 p.m.

This is a show of all-new short stories and jokes with the theme of being thankful for the people, pets and events of our lives. Featured performers are actress Mary Burkart of Ellenville and Big Sky’s Artistic Director Carol Montana.

Mary Burkart has been active in productions throughout the region for more than 40 years. She is an actress, and a choral and opera singer who has performed in “Angels in America,” “Death of a Salesman,” “The Mikado,” “Pirates of Penzance,” “H.M.S. Pinafore,” “Moon Over Buffalo,” “Equus,” “Ragtime,” and many other shows. Mary has worked with the Delaware Valley Opera, Forestburgh Playhouse, Shadowland Theatre, Big Sky Productions and other regional companies. 

Most recently Mary performed for the second time at Carnegie Hall with the Sullivan County Community Chorus, singing Dan Forrest’s Jubilate Deo. Mary is a retired teacher/school social worker who just retired as an adjunct professor in the Social Sciences Department at SUNY Sullivan.

Carol Montana is an actress and director who has appeared in “Miracle Worker,” “Blithe Spirit,” “The Front Page,” “’night, Mother,” “Hilarious Hillbilly Massacre,” “The Shadow Box” and several other shows. She’s directed over 60 plays for Big Sky Productions, the Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop, the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance, Monticello High School and Sullivan County Community College. 

Favorite directing jobs include “On Golden Pond,” “Jakes Women,” “Arsenic and Old Lace,” “The Sunshine Boys,” and “Pretty Fire.” Carol has a Master’s Degree in Dramatic Form and Structure from the University of Connecticut, and is currently the Media Manager for Action Toward Independence. Her most recent directing job was “Sam Club, Private Eye, and the Case of the Motor Coach Murder” - a sold out performance for the Greater Liberty Chamber of Commerce last April at the Liberty Diner.

“Shorts & Sweets of Gratitude and Humor” begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Mamakating Library, 128 Sullivan Street in Wurtsboro. Admission is free and includes dessert. Reservations are required by calling 845-888-8004 or by visiting mamakatinglibrary.org.