By Susan Lin
Rather than simply performing one of the many shows he has already put together, Kruk created a program from ground up just for the museum.
"I looked at the museum's collection and used it as inspiration, and to choose the stories. The circus imagery is very much there," said Kruk, who is 46.
On 10 a.m. Saturday at the Nassau Museum, Kruk will present "Flying Colors: The World of Marc Chagall," a 90-minute interactive theater session geared toward youngsters aged 5 to 8.
The program is probably best described as highly participatory storytelling. Kruk will ask the children to become the jugglers and clowns, or the bears and lions that are featured in the paintings.
"I might call out, 'Let's be one of the high-wire walkers who are proud to do a double twist, and show that in your walk!" Kruk said.
More traditionally, Kruk will also tell stories from "Aesop's Fables" and "The Arabian Knights," elements of which Chagall also put in his paintings. Examples of those works are on exhibit at the Nassau Museum.
To Kruk, 'telling' involves not just the voice, but also the body, and accompanying music. At the Nassau Museum, the storyteller will bring with him two musicians: Peter Brasier on keyboards; and Greg Doyle, who will play percussion, as well as the kazoo and different whistles. Brasier, Doyle and Kruk all come from Cold Spring on Hudson, N.Y.
The musicians will contribute music and sound effects as the youngsters enact some of the figures in Chagall's paintings, and also while Kruk tells an Aesop's fable or Arabian Tale.
Kruk believes that one of the reasons he is able to keep a child's attention for 90 minutes is that his programs are participatory.
"Instead of saying, 'Let's sit down and be quiet, and get ready for the show,' I'll say, 'There' stories in the air, just waiting to be made into a circus! Let's reach up and grab a circus-full of stories and throw them up to the musicians!' So we reach right into it and catch the circus," said Kruk. He also makes sure to have a lot of variety in his program to keep the youngsters engaged.
"I guess I love enchanting the children into listening," said Kruk.
Although Kruk's program incorporates many stories and elements, he said that his "overall story" is about Chagall. When performing, "I try to describe him as being like you, a child, drawing with pink or green cows that fly through the air," Kruk said.
Kruk is glad to be one of the few people who are able to make 100 percent of their living as professional storytellers. He began his career 16 years ago as a guest performer in the Freeport schools, and now performs nationwide.
He lives with his daughter Zosia, who is ten.
'Flying Colors: The World of Marc Chagall'
by storyteller Jonathan Kruk
10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 26
Nassau County Museum of Art
One Museum Drive (off Rte. 25A), Roslyn Harbor
(516) 484-9338, ext. 12
$20 for one child with adult
$10 each additional person
