Returning for the twelfth year this holiday season, Summoners Ensemble Theatre and the Merchant’s House Museum once again present the solo adaptation by actor John Kevin Jones and director Rhonda Dodd of Charles Dickens’ classic tale A Christmas Carol at the 1832 landmark Merchant’s House – New York City’s only 19th-century home with both its interior and exterior preserved intact, complete with the Tredwell family’s original furnishings and decorated for the holidays in authentic period style. Set in December 1867 and told in the elegant Greek Revival parlor of the historic house, Jones’ tour-de-force performance, created from Dickens’ own touring script, is framed in the device of the acclaimed English author, who has come to NYC for a month of sold-out appearances to share his renowned story (first published in 1843), narrating and assuming the roles of his beloved characters in a captivating 70 minutes. John Kevin Jones. Photo by Joey Stocks. Dressed in the height of fashion of the era, in formal black tails, silk waistcoat, and a white cravat (costume by Andrea Gorzell D’Haene), Jones enters the room through the center aisle of the seating, introduces himself and the historical context of the show and house (and ponders if the Tredwells ever attended or even hosted one of the NYC performances of A Christmas Carol), then holds up a vintage copy of the book, assumes an English accent and the role of Dickens, and begins his direct-address narration, actively moving around the space, standing and sitting, making eye contact with the audience, and immediately transporting us to the time and into the story. The thoroughly captivating, fast-paced, non-stop presentation alternates between segments of Dickens narrating and enacting the scenes, embodying more than a dozen of his well-known characters, male and female, young and old, rich and poor, living and spectral, from Ebeneezer Scrooge to his nephew Fred, his youthful fiancée Belle, Jacob Marley, Bob Cratchit, his wife, and their son Tiny Tim, Fezziwig, and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come, along with a selection of minor figures from the tale. John Kevin Jones. Photo by Joey Stocks. Jones gives them all a different voice (the spirit of Marley is especially spine-tingling, raspy, and bellowing) and consummately suited demeanor (Tiny Tim is irresistibly sweet, fragile, and joyous), bringing them to life, shifting effortlessly from one to the next, and even engaging in conversations with each other, without missing a beat or a distinctively recognizable characterization. His stellar portrayals employ readily legible facial expressions, meaningful gestures, and emotive reactions that elicit our chills, laughter, and sympathy, and leave us with Dickens’ timeless message of the value of kindness and generosity, love and life, over greed, onerousness, and insensitivity to the plight and affection of others, in his eye-opening transition of Scrooge from miserly to caring, and in Tiny Tim’s affecting proclamation, “God bless us, every one!” You will feel blessed, as I did, by having experienced the extraordinary talent and historical authenticity of this masterful performance. John Kevin Jones. Photo by Joey Stocks. In addition to the show, you can attend “A Holiday Reception with Mr. Dickens” for an additional price on select dates from December 6-26 (strictly limited to 20 guests), which includes a special performance by Jones of A Visit from St. Nicholas, a cup of Smoking Bishop mulled wine or chilled cider to toast the season, and access to the Merchant House Museum’s 19th-century family room, kitchen, and garden (weather permitting). If you can’t get tickets to the sold-out on-site performances, with a seating capacity of 40, you can join the waiting list, and if you can’t be there in person, you can watch a filmed presentation of the show virtually, by clicking here. Please note that the Merchant’s House Museum is not handicapped accessible and the production is not recommended for children under 12. Running Time: Approximately 70 minutes, without intermission. Illustration by Joey Stocks. A Christmas Carol plays through Sunday, December 29, 2024, at Summoners Ensemble Theatre, performing at the Merchant’s House, 29 East 4th Street, NYC. For tickets (priced at $70-110, plus fees), go online. To attend “A Holiday Reception with Mr. Dickens” look for the “Reception & Performance” ticketing option (priced at an additional $35). For unlimited views of the filmed performance, you can stream the show on pay-per-view for $25, and you can share the link, at no extra charge, with your family and friends. It is also important to note that the landmark Merchant’s House is in danger of irreparable damage (or possible collapse) due to proposed construction next door, which it has been fighting since 2012. Despite its historic status, the project was approved by The Landmark Preservation Commission, placing a building it exists to protect in danger. If you’d like to support the survival of the 192-year-old Merchant’s House with a letter to the city’s administration or a donation for legal expenses and engineering fees, please visit the call-to-arms on the website.