Washington Irving's haunting classic.
The first story by an American to "go viral."
Master Storyteller,
Jonathan Kruk
performing in-person @ virtual
Dramatic solo shows
for Historic Hudson Valley,
regional theaters, libraries, colleges, churches, and schools
"Thrilling!" ~ Wall Street Journal Online
"Best Storyteller in the Hudson Valley" ~ Hudson Valley Magazine
“His spirited, candlelit one man show has become a fixture of Halloween" ~ The New York Times
Look for my return to The Old Dutch Church in October of 2021, and to regional theaters to present
"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," a dramatic solo show.
Plus!
The Virtual "Legend of Sleepy Hollow!"
Now, in December 2020, enjoy a Facebook live performance of "A Christmas Carol."
A live online solo show of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" Washington Irving's classic. Performed by Historic Hudson Valley's Master Storyteller, Jonathan Kruk. Original "Sleepy Hollow" musical score performed live by Jim Keyes.
Jonathan's renowned for his dramatic portrayal of Ichabod, Katrina, Brom Bones, and the Galloping Headless Hessian. Featured on The Today Show, CBS Sunday Morning, and the Travel Channel.
“His spirited, candlelit one-man show has become a fixture of Halloween" ~ The New York Times
"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" haunts with a decapitated ghost from the American Revolution chasing a Connecticut Yankee schoolmaster. Published two hundred years ago by Washington Irving this gothic-romance went “viral.”
These pandemic times call for virtual shows to appear on for Facebook, Youtube live or Zoom platform. Jonathan Kruk, the master storyteller renowned for solo shows of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" will give your group a live online dramatic performance. True to the author's original story, Jonathan, an elegant, eloquent figure in period garb with live musical accompaniment, spirits the story along with ghosts, wit and jump-starts. Best for audiences ten to adult.
ASK FOR AN ONLINE PERFORMANCE PLAN
$290. per school or library.
Long noted for his educational theater programs given to school children, Mr. Kruk began performing Irving’s classic for Historic Hudson Valley in 1996. His October run of fifty shows for Historic Hudson Valley at The Sleepy Hollow's Old Dutch Church, sell out every year. Audiences appreciate Kruk's animated embodying of Irving's iconic characters. He pipes and preens as Ichabod Crane, delivers a rollicking Brom Bones and a coquettish Katrina Van Tassel.
The Dutch New-Yorkers of Sleepy Hollow from the tremulous Farmer Brouwer to the braggadocious Doffue Martling leap with life from the storyteller’s varied voices and gestures. When the galloping goblin appears you will want to hold on to your head!
Mr. Kruk has been featured for The Legend of Sleepy Hollow on "The Today Show," The Travel Channel's "Mysteries at the Museum"
"CBS Sunday Morning" The BBC Great Train Adventures, and The National Geographic Channel.
When Washington Irving published The Legend of Sleepy Hollow in 1819, the story became wildly popular. A romance of an unfortunate Connecticut schoolmaster chased by the galloping headless Hessian, gave readers the first literary portrait of Americans. Now, the headless horseman is iconic worldwide. Featured in movies, video games, haunted hay rides, plays and even as a dramatic reading with special effects by, bring it alive in your school.
“Everyone thoroughly enjoyed your performance this year. The students also liked the skits of the writing workshop. I asked each of my classes for feedback, and they all said you were terrific! They especially enjoyed your interaction with the audience during the storytelling performance in addition to your enthusiasm while telling the story. Many kids kept repeating, “Sleeeeeepy Hahllooow.“ Kate Macsisak, 8th Gr Teacher Hamburg, PA.
GOALS: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, a 12,000 word American classic, becomes a rollicking interactive jump tale and source for using primary sources for students fourth grade to High School. This lively telling with character voices enchants and educate.
Students discover in the story early American life, and the American Revolution.
Experiencing as a dramatic perfomance, students immersed in the tale will better understand why this story is a classic.
Performance (45 minutes): A powerful theatrical workshop retelling of The Legend in period garb. Students gallop along with Ichabod Crane to better grasp this romantic ghostly classic.
Workshops (30 minutes)
The workshop has two parts. First, with the help of about ten students, the sources of the story are revealed in a skit, complete with a headless horseman cape and “chase” of Ichabod. Then, students choose a source and are guided in writing their own version of the story. Primary sources include; a newspaper article, interview, first hand account, folk tale, war journal, local customs and a borrowed story.
Please contact me to tailor "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" for your school.
SPOOKY (BUT NOT TOO SCARY) HALLOWEEN STORIES
Children crave spooky stories, but don't really want scary stuff. This highly engaging program for enchants children in schools, libraries or festivals.
Kids will actively listen, giggle and jump encountering knot-nosed goblins, the haunted hand and the witch who puts happy into Halloween. Each performance gets tailored to the audience.
Selections may include:
- a free adaptation of Linda Williams' book "The Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything"
- Bony Legs - a creepy tale for older kids adapted from Johanna Coles book
- Rolly Head - a nasty fellow seems to lose his head on Halloween!
- The Shhhhmmmmooooooze!
- Caught in the Cemetery on Halloween is an original true trick or treat tale
- Traditional spooky folk and fairy tales.
A study guide provides learning activities to meet common core standards.
Shows run about 40-50 minutes. Contact for a performance proposal.
jonathankruk@gmail.com 845.216.9087