PJ Library Presents: Beyond The Bookcase

It's time for Passover! Settle in for a playlist full of stories featuring Passover traditions from all around the world. 

In Humpty Dumpty and the Passover Feast we’ll visit Humpty Dumpty as he prepares to host the seder for the first time. Next we'll Chase Joha Through Passover to see how families all over celebrate and get ready for Passover. And finally, we’ll settle down for a lovely Passover seder in Mashal in a special Story for Another Time.

Credits

Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library.

Writers: Jan Schwaid, Petey Gibson

Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher; Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz

Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA

Opening Theme Song: Written by Peter Moore and Alli Thresher. Arranged by Peter Moore.

Performed by Mister G (vocals) and Peter Moore (instruments).

Humpty Dumpty and the Passover Feast

Cast

• Jacob – Cara Cabal Coniglio
• Evie – Sylvia Beth Schmitz
• Blue – Maya Aoki Tuttle
• Micah – Maxwell Glick
• Miri – Arianna Fox
• Auntie PJ – Madelaine Ripley
• Golem – Pat Bordenave
• Saifair – Tau Zaman
• Humpty Dumpty – John Henry Kurtz
• Hare – Daniel Amerman
• Goldilocks – Maya Aoki Tuttle
• Snow White – Laura Schreiber
• Chicken Little – Blair Which

Chasing Joha Through Passover

Cast

• Auntie PJ – Madelaine Ripley
• Evie – Samantha Philyaw
• Elijah – Nate DuFort
• Micah – Maxwell Glick
• Ms. Shouhed – Daniella Rabbani
• Farrah – Daniella Rabbani
• Joha – Ryan Abedi
• Mr. Fodor – Les Horovitz
• Catriella – Alli Thresher

Story for Another Time: Passover in Mashal

Cast

• Miri – Arianna Fox
• Evie – Samantha Philyaw
• Blue – Maya Aoki Tuttle
• Jacob – Caro Cabal Coniglio
• Joha – Ryan Abedi
• Elijah – Nate DuFort
• Auntie PJ – Laura Rondinella
• Micah – Maxwell Glick
• Mr. Saifair – Gregory David Barnett
• Marion Woman in Shoe – Tianna Tagami
• Chicken Little – Blair Which
• Snow White – Laura Schreiber
• Golem – Pat Bordenave
• Cinderella – Gwen D'Angelo
• Humpty Dumpty – John Henry Kurtz
• Dolores the Donkey – Alli Thresher

Prince Charming and Cinderella’s wedding brings a fairytale ending for season 4! Or at least it might. The two royals come from very different backgrounds and can’t seem to agree on what traditions, customs, and creatures to include in the ceremony. They’ll need their friends (including a shockingly revealed rabbi) to help figure out what’s most important.

 

Credits

 

Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library.

Executive Producer, Alli Thresher

Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz

Story Editor: Alli Thresher

Writer: Jan Schwaid

Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA

Opening Theme Song:

Written by Peter Moore and Alli Thresher

Arranged by Peter Moore

Performed by Mister G (vocals) and Peter Moore (instruments)

 

Cast

• Cinderella - Gwen D’Angelo
• Prince Charming - Mike D’Angelo
• Mr. Saifair – Gregory David Barnett
• Auntie PJ – Laura Rondinella
• Golem – Pat Bordenave
• Marion, The Not-So-Old Woman Who Lives in a Shoe - Tianna Tagami
• Dolores the Donkey – Alli Thresher

Lag B’Omer celebrations are starting in Mashal. With bonfires, treats, a parade, and even a wedding in the works, Rapunzel still isn’t feeling festive. After getting tangled in a few too many messes, her extra-long hair is feeling like a real drag. Auntie PJ and other friends will try to help Rapunzel trim down her stress with a Lag B’Omer tradition.

 

Credits

 

Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library.Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher; Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz

Story Editor: Alli Thresher

Writer: Petey Gibson

Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA

 

Opening Theme Song:

Written by Peter Moore and Alli Thresher.

Arranged by Peter Moore.

Performed by Mister G (vocals) and Peter Moore (instruments).

 

Cast

• Mr. Saifair – Gregory David Barnett
• Auntie PJ – Laura Rondinella
• Rapunzel – Daniella Rabbani
• Cinderella – Gwen D’Angelo
• Prince Charming - Mike D’Angelo
• Merry Men- Gregory David Barnett, Pat Bordenave, Walter Alice Sickert, Nate DuFort
• Golem – Pat Bordenave

Auntie PJ and Elijah’s treasure hunt gets sticky, and not just because of their doughnut-smeared map. It’s almost time for Shabbat and they need to pause their search — not to start resting right away, but to help the woman who lives in a shoe. You see, she has so many children but nowhere to get them a challah for a peaceful sabbath. Who knew Golem’s got bread-braiding skills?

 

Credits

Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library.

Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher; Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz
Story Editor: Alli Thresher
Writer: Petey Gibson
Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA
Opening Theme Song:

Written by Peter Moore and Alli Thresher.

Arranged by Peter Moore.
Performed by Mister G (vocals) and Peter Moore (instruments).

 

Cast

• Auntie PJ – Laura Rondinella
• Elijah – Nate DuFort
• Marion, the Not-So-Old Woman Who Lives in a Shoe – Tianna Tagami
• Kids 1,2,3 - Alli Thresher
• Golem – Pat Bordenave
• Don Swan – LD Castro

Bubbe and Zev the wolf are having a blast as roommates. They’ve had music, dancing, and pre-Shabbat shindigs, but there hasn’t been room in their budget to fill their bellies on Friday nights. When neither of them is able to earn enough dough to surprise the other with challah, their kind acts may be just the ingredients they need for a fresh-baked miracle.

An update on a classic Jewish folk tale.

 

Credits

 

Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library.

Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher; Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz

Story Editor: Alli Thresher

Writer: Petey Gibson

Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA

Opening Theme Song: Written by Peter Moore and Alli Thresher. Arranged by Peter Moore.

Performed by Mister G (vocals) and Peter Moore (instruments).

 

Cast

• Golem – Pat Bordenave
• Auntie PJ – Laura Rondinella
• Zev – Walter Alice Sickert
• Little Red – Anne Alexander Sieder
• Bubbe – Edrie
• Kids –Richard Wentworth, Alli Thresher, Blair Which
• Random Folks – Richard Wentworth, Alli Thresher, Blair Which
• Very Little Kid – Blair Which

Who told Mr. Saifair that Rapunzel is a noodle-head? Is it okay to call Shirley an apple tree (when she’s obviously avocado)? And did Prince Charming spread a hairy rumor that he heard from … a mermaid? This wave of gossip is more tangled than a head of uncombed spaghetti.

 

Credits

 

Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library.

Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher; Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz

Story Editor: Alli Thresher

Writer: Jan Schwaid

Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA

Opening Theme Song: Written by Peter Moore and Alli Thresher. Arranged by Peter Moore.

Performed by Mister G (vocals) and Peter Moore (instruments).

 

Cast

• Elijah – Nate DuFort
• Rapunzel – Daniella Rabbani
• Mr. Saifair – Gregory David Barnett
• Kid/Daughter – Alli Thresher
• Junie the Mermaid – Yolanda Spearman
• Prince Charming – Mike D'Angelo
• Cinderella – Gwen D'Angelo
• Marion the Not-So-Old Woman Who Lives in a Shoe – Tianna Tagami

Marion is hosting a gathering for Chag Habanot, the North African Hanukkah festival of daughters. But all the pressure has her being a bit unkind to her friends. Learn all about this holiday plus a valuable lesson about respect and friendship.

 

Credits

 

Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library.

Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher; Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz

Story Editor: Alli Thresher

Writers: Jan Schwaid and Rinat Hadad Siegel
Consultant: Rinat Hadad Siegel

Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA

Opening Theme Song: Written by Peter Moore and Alli Thresher. Arranged by Peter Moore.

Performed by Mister G (vocals) and Peter Moore (instruments).

 

Cast

• Auntie PJ – Laura Rondinella
• Rapunzel – Daniella Rabbani
• Snow White – Laura Schreiber
• Marion, the not-so-old woman who lives in a shoe - Tianna Tagami
• Cinderella – Gwen D’Angelo
• Prince Charming – Mike D’Angelo
• Mr. Saifair – Gregory David Barnett
• Queenie (Queen Bee) – Niki Luparelli
• Mama Bear – Yolanda Spearman
• Mary Quite Contrary – Journee LaFond
• Mermaid – Yolanda Spearman
• Mermaid (last line) – Tianna Tagami

What do BFFs Goldilocks and Baby Bear make for their Shabbat lunch? Why, harissa of course! But what happens when everyone brings the same pot to the kusha (community oven)? A tasting, of course.

 

Credits

 

Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library.

Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher; Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz

Story Editor: Alli Thresher

Writer: Jan Schwaid

Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA

Opening Theme Song: Written by Peter Moore and Alli Thresher. Arranged by Peter Moore.

Performed by Mister G (vocals) and Peter Moore (instruments).

 

Cast

• Auntie PJ – Laura Rondinella
• Elijah – Nate DuFort
• Goldilocks: Maya Aoki Tuttle
• Baby Bear – Rich Wentworth
• Mr. Saifair – Gregory David Barnett
• Mary Quite Contrary – Journee La Fond

Snow White just wants to host a delightful Rosh Hashanah get together, but the three little kittens and the three little pigs are having one big disagreement. Will they ever forgive each other?

 

Credits

 

Beyond the Bookcase is a production of PJ Library.

Production: Executive Producer, Alli Thresher; Associate Producer, Elizabeth Korelitz

Story Editor: Alli Thresher

Writers: Petey Gibson

Audio editing, mixing, mastering, and score: Peter Moore, Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA

Opening Theme Song: Written by Peter Moore and Alli Thresher. Arranged by Peter Moore.

Performed by Mister G (vocals) and Peter Moore (instruments).

 

Cast

• Snow White – Laura
• Golem – Pat Bordenave
• Mr. Saifair - Gregory David Barnett
• PJ - Laura Rondinella
• Elijah – Nate DuFort
• Kitten 1 - Malcolm Villaverde
• Kitten 2 - Molly Villaverde
• Kitten 3 - Blair Which
• Pigs 1, 2, 3 – Rich Wentworth

Purim is a holiday that feels like it's made for families. Traditions include dressing up, sharing gift baskets or mishloach manot with friends, making noise by shaking groggers, and staying up late with your friends and community. People do tzedakah and also read the Book of Esther, or megillah, which shares the story of how the Jews of Persia were saved from annihilation. Experience Purim with the characters of Beyond the Bookcase in this special playlist episode.