Master Storyteller Jonathan Kruk's solo show of “A Christmas Carol” began in 2011 at the Old Dutch Church in Sleepy Hollow. Wondering how to top a sold-out run of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow", accompanist Jim Keyes joked "Let's do 'A Christmas Carol'!". Jonathan created a dramatic retelling of Charles Dickens' "perfect haunted holiday tale of hope and redemption for all".
Performed in period garb, the story emerges as a lively dialogue, with characters quickly evoked by dramatic gestures and expressions. Transforming into Ebenezer, Bob and Marley, Kruk employs his legendary eloquence with a treasure trove of voices for over thirty characters. There is no set script for this audience inspired production. It brings to life the magical qualities of true theater and masterful storytelling. Filled with quotes from Dickens’ original work, and alive with spontaneity, the performance is intimate and thoroughly engaging.
Fans compare Jonathan to “an elegant Robin Williams," possessing "a Patrick Stewart-like presence," and "the charm of Alistar Sims". The animated show runs about one hour and leaves you clamoring for an encore.
Musician Jim Keyes warms up the house with a lively sing-a-long of "The Twelve Days of Christmas". Keyes accompanies Kruk on a vintage Hammond organ, violin, harp, bells and a can of rusty chains. Jonathan Kruk's solo show of "A Christmas Carol" has been performed at many venues including; the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway, NJ, Saint Vincent College, in Latrobe, PA, the Tompkins Corner Cultural Center, Putnam Valley, NY, libraries in Glens Falls, NY, New Canaan and East Haven, CT and in many schools from New York City to Birmingham, Michigan.
Hosted by Grace Episcopal Church in their stunningly beautiful Gothic Revival sanctuary located on Salem’s Essex Street, the Dickensian story, first published in 1843, is figured like never before amidst the lit lanterns, brick sidewalks and historic Federalist structures of Salem’s charmed McIntire District – an imaginary delight for adults and children alike to prefigure a Yuletide merrymaking and transformation as good as Scrooge’s own.