A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Starring John Kevin Jones, Returns for Third Year at Merchant's House Tonight

In December 1867, Charles Dickens arrived in New York City for a month of sold-out performances of his beloved holiday classic, A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Join Mr. Dickens, portrayed by actor John Kevin Jones, as he tells his timeless Christmas tale in the elegant intact Greek Revival parlor of the landmark 1832 Merchant's House Museum (29 East 4th Street, Manhattan).

Surrounded by 19th century holiday decorations, flickering candles, and richly appointed period furnishings, audiences will be transported back 150 years in this captivating one-hour performance created from Dickens' own script.

Performances run tonight, December 10 through December 24, Christmas Eve. John Kevin Jones brings his production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL back to The Merchant House for the third year in a row.

"... we shall never have any entertainments more charming, or more full of genuine, legitimate and elevating pleasure ..." - The New York Times, December 10, 1867

"The Christmas Carol becomes doubly enchanting when one hears it performed by Dickens." - New York Herald, December 10, 1867

NEW this year! Toast the holiday season with actor John Kevin Jones in the Museum's cozy mid-19th century kitchen before the performance. Mulled wine and light fare will be served. Pre-performance reception begins at 6 p.m. each night, except December 23 and 24 (Christmas Eve), when the reception begins at 5 p.m.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL at the Merchant's House, Charles Dickens in New York, 1867, is presented by Summoners Ensemble Theatre in association with the Merchant's House Museum and directed by Dr. Rhonda Dodd. Performances take place in the landmark 1832 Merchant's House Museum, New York City's only 19th century family home preserved intact, inside and out.

Tickets are available at dickensinnewyork.brownpapertickets.com or by calling BrownPaperTickets.com: (800) 838-3006. Regular 60-minute performances: $40 - $60. Seating is strictly limited to 40. Pre-show mulled wine, light fare, and good cheer with star John Kevin Jones $25. For Group Sales of 10 or more, email Summoners Ensemble Theatre: summonersensemble@gmail.com. Seating is General Admission and on a first come, first serve basis.

Follow www.summonersensemble.org on Twitter: @Summoners and on Facebook.
Follow www.merchantshouse.org on Twitter and Instagram @MerchantsHouse and on Facebook?

John Kevin Jones (Actor, Co-Adapter) -- Kevin is a member of Actors Equity Association and the Dramatists Guild of America. New York: Nothing But Trash, Theater for the New City; Jeffrey (starring Bryan Batt), Lincoln Center; The Winter's Tale and The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Hipgnosis Theatre. Regional: The Pavilion (American Stage), Othello (Arkansas Rep), The Rivals, All My Sons (Kentucky Rep), Angels in America, Gross Indecency (Playhouse on the Square). BA in Theatre Performance from the University of South Florida and MFA in Theatre Directing from the University of Memphis.

Charles Dickens (1812 - 1870): Considered the greatest English novelist of the Victorian era, Charles Dickens created some of the world's most well-known fictional characters. When his own family's destitution landed them for a time in debtor's prison, young Charles was forced to give up school and work in a blacking-warehouse. This era of his life heavily influenced his writing, which later made him a much sought-after orator. After giving a speech to a group of working-class poor, Dickens found himself contemplating the plight of exploited child workers. Taking only six weeks to complete, in 1843, A CHRISTMAS CAROL stripped away the mask from some of England's most acute social evils. By speaking up for the poor and oppressed, Dickens directly confronted the apathy and callousness of his countrymen. But more than just a timely political screed, Dickens' spirit-filled holiday story has become a timeless treatise about love. He impelled his contemporaries then -- and now us today -- to care about everyone and to reach out and help if we see someone in need.

Merchant's House Museum: Built in 1832, the Merchant's House is New York City's only 19th century family home preserved virtually intact, with original family furnishings and personal belongings. A unique survivor of Old New York, the House offers an intimate glimpse of how a prosperous merchant family and their Irish servants lived from 1835-1865, when New York City grew from seaport to thriving metropolis. The Merchant's House is a National Historic Landmark and in New York City is distinguished as one of only 117 buildings that have NYC landmark status for both its exterior and interior.