// Workers AI · dad joke modeIs Jonathan Kruk a good storyteller? He's a kruk-ial part.
Jonathan Kruk is a storyteller known for solo performances of Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol in New York's Hudson Valley. Kruk gives arts in education programs at schools, featuring Finger Fables, Fairy Tales, Medieval times, the American Revolution, and Hudson River Lore.
Early life and education
[edit]Kruk was born in El Paso, Texas and raised in Westchester County, New York.[1][2] He is an Eagle Scout.[1] Kruk graduated with a degree in English from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1977. He earned a master's degree in educational theater from New York University in 1982.[1]
Career
[edit]Kruk began performing as a storyteller in the early-1980s in Abingdon Square Park in New York City.[3]
In the lead-up to Halloween, Kruk regularly performs an adaptation of Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow at the Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow.[4][5] Annually, he performs the show more than 50 times.[4]
In the weeks before Christmas, he performs a version of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol at the Reformed Church of the Tarrytowns.[4] He has also performed at local schools and other locations such as the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame in Goshen, New York.[6]
Since 2021, he has served as the storyteller-in-residence for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York.[1]
In 2024, he recited the United States Declaration of Independence for the Fourth of July in Tuckahoe, New York, playing the roles of Thomas Jefferson and King George III.[7]
In 2026, he was involved in events to celebrate the United States Semiquincentennial.[8][9]
Published works
[edit]In media
[edit]Kruk appeared on CBS Sunday Morning in 2012.[13] on The Today Show, the Travel Channel as well as the BBC and NPR.[1][6]
Personal life
[edit]Kruk has a collection of bricks from various spots in the Hudson Valley.[3]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 "Tell Us a Story, Jonathan Kruk '77 | Holy Cross Magazine". magazine.holycross.edu. Retrieved 2026-01-08.
- ↑ "How Master Storyteller Jonathan Kruk Brings Classic Tales to Life". Flex Your Memory. 2024-02-10. Retrieved 2026-01-13.
- 1 2 Forsell, Mary (2015-01-08). "Jonathan Kruk". Hudson Valley Magazine. Retrieved 2026-01-08.
- 1 2 3 Malcolm, Timothy (2016-10-13). "A Day in the Life of "Master Storyteller" Jonathan Kruk". Westchester Magazine. Archived from the original on 2025-08-10. Retrieved 2026-01-13.
- ↑ gothiccurios (2010-03-23). "Jonathan Kruk, The Sleepy Hollow Storyteller". Witchery Art: A Gothic Cabinet of Curiosities and Mysteries. Retrieved 2026-01-13.
- 1 2 Writer, Staff. "'A Christmas Carol' presented by Master Storyteller Jonathan Kruk". Times Herald-Record. Retrieved 2026-01-13.
- ↑ Kramer, Peter D. (July 9, 2024). "Storyteller Kruk to read Declaration of Independence in Tuckahoe on Thursday". The Journal News. Retrieved 2026-05-16.
- ↑ "Choosing Liberty: The American Revolution Through the Eyes of a Young Patriot | Garrison, NY 10524". www.iloveny.com. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
- ↑ "Americana 250". Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
- ↑ Kruk, Jonathan (2011). Legends and lore of Sleepy Hollow and the Hudson Valley. Internet Archive. Charleston, SC : History Press. ISBN 978-1-59629-798-2.
- ↑ "Legends and Lore of the Hudson Highlands". Arcadia Publishing. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
- ↑ "4U2B Books & Media to Publish The Magical, Wonderful Bul Bul Bird, a New Fairy Tale Retelling by Master Storyteller Jonathan Kruk". 4u2bpressroom.prowly.com. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
- ↑ Madsen, Krista (2012-09-06). "Storytelling Kruk on CBS This Morning". Tarrytown-Sleepy Hollow, NY Patch. Retrieved 2026-01-13.