Theater News

Christina Applegate, Jake Gyllenhaal, Annaliese van der Pol, Cedric the Entertainer, et. al. Set for Shalom Sesame

Anneliese van de Pol
Anneliese van de Pol

Christina Applegate, Anneliese van de Pol, Debra Messing and Cedric the Entertainer are among the theater notables who are slated to appear in a new Sesame Street-style production geared at teaching Jewish-American children about Jewish culture, according to a report in the Associated Press. The 12-part series for preschoolers, Shalom Sesame, is expected to debut around the Hanukkah holiday in December 2010. It will feature the Muppet Grover, with other confirmed guest stars including Jake Gyllenhaal and Greg Kinnear.

The program will explore Jewish identity and traditions and will film on location at several Israeli sites, including the Western Wall. Van der Pol has already been to Israel to film her scenes for the show.

An initial incarnation of ‘Shalom Sesame was presented in 1986 and ultimately sold more than 1 million copies on video and DVD. The new incarnation of the program is expected to cover more issues of diversity for Jewish children and be accompanied by an interactive Web site and other outreach materials.

For further information, visit: www.sesameworkshop.org.