Special Programs:

Hudson-Fulton-Champlain
Quadricentennial Celebration

Jonathan Kruk, Storyteller, as Robert Fulton, Inventor of the First Successful SteamboatJonathan Kruk portrayed Robert Fulton at Clermont State Historic Site for the 200th anniversary of the first successful run of The Hudson River Steamboat, August 17, 2007

Quadricentennial Tales
For Festivals, Libraries, & Schools*

*Study Guides Available for Schools.
Jonathan is a BOCES approved artist educator with a masters degree.

Tales of Hudson, Champlain & Fulton - Lively theatrical adventures in historic fiction of the "celebrated three" performed in period garb by the "Best Storyteller in the Hudson Valley," Jonathan Kruk.

Henry Hudson Story Offerings:- (Based on Half-Moon mate, Robert Juet's Journal)

 
Jonathan Kruk, Storyteller, as Henry Hudson for the Quadricentennial
  • Canoes from the Clouds -First Encounter with North American Natives
  • Why an Arrow in John Colman? - the strange fate of one of Hudson's crewmen.
  • A Gentle Loving People - Hudson view of his journey changes with an enchanting visit to a prosperous Native village.
  • Darest we Truest Them? - Cultures clash and blood flows when Europeans meet Native Americans. Alas!

Robert Fulton Story Offerings: (Based on primary sources and Kirkpatrick Sale's biography "The Fire of His Genius")

  • Fulton's Audacity - Fultons charms and browbeats nobody's nobles and Napolean with his inventions Fulton's Fate- How a Robert Livingston, and an English Lord and a brass piston come together to help the inventor.
  • Fulton's Folly - The story in first person, of Fulton's first steamboat run. Folks saw the steamboat, cried. "It's a devil driving a sawmill" and thought it was the Day of Redemption! It was the second revolution on the Hudson!

Samuel Champlain - Stories Offerings; (based on various sources)

  • Discoveries in Canada - The St. Lawrence, Quebec and Montreal
  • Building the New World - Tale of Champlain's visionary works.
  • Passage South - findign the lake that now bears his name.

Fees for in character appearances begin at $300. Performances at $350. Ask about multiple show discounts.

400 Years of History on the Hudson, with The Hudson River Ramblers

Storyteller Jonathan Kruk & folksinger Rich Bala perform authentic, interactive tunes and tales of the Hudson River.

Performances are lively and family friendly fun with skits and sing-alongs!

Rich Bala, Folksinger and Hudson River Ramblers
  • Mahicanituck Native creation myth of the river
  • Dutch Knickerbocker tales from Washington Irving
  • The story in song of how Yankee Doodle was written on the Hudson
  • Sloops & Steamboats, - Songs from Pete Seeger, Spirits from Washington Irving!
  • The American Revolution on River - Yankee Doodle! Chain Across the Hudson, Saratoga!
  • Pirates & Patriots! - Captian Kidd! Sybil Ludington! George Washington!

1 hour interactive show $750. 2 shows same day $950. Ask too about old-time Hudson River music by The Barefoot Boys, a trio of guitar, hammer dulcimer, and bass.