This is Benjamin Wolaver, but on TV he's the winsome country gentleman Benjamin Cello.
He is the star of the children's series, the Wonderful World of Benjamin Cello, a children's TV series which seeks to lead kids into the land of the baptized imagination to develop their faith.
The show uses music and song to communicate the truths of the faith, and help children come to better know God.
BENJAMIN WOLAVER
The Wonderful World of Benjamin Cello
'So every episode of Benjamin Cello communicates some truth of scripture, whether its the fact that we're made in God's image, whether its that we have to forgive one another and be a friend at all times, or how we overcome evil with good, every episode centers on several key scriptures and its just a lot of fun to communicate these truths to children.'
Wolaver says putting the show together was a family affair. It was his mother who came up with the idea for the show, and its cast is comprised almost entirely by members of his family. Each episode takes him to visit one of those special friends to uncover the truths of the faith.
BENJAMIN WOLAVER
The Wonderful World of Benjamin Cello
'There are three doors in my cottage, the first door takes us to Pennywhistle Park where we study art and music with Lollypopular and the cheerful chums, the second door takes us to the Bookendless Book Tower, where Professor Wordsworth and the hungry book worms peruse literature and the deep truths of Scripture, and then the third door takes us to the Big Old Barn and Cowboy Roy and the barnyard animals, and we do earth science and also sing songs there as well.'
The show's music is performed live on set by the cast's many talented musicians. They say that through music, the values the show teaches become fundamental pieces of a child's upbringing.
BENJAMIN WOLAVER
The Wonderful World of Benjamin Cello
'So these songs we're teaching children by communicating the truths of scripture, we are hiding these truths in the deepest recesses of their minds, so they can form a core part of their identity as people, and we think that's a noble mission.'
The Wonderful World of Benjamin Cello is available online via streaming. Season 2 has just been debuted and production for season 3 is underway, to invite children to better know God and their faith, while singing, dancing, and learning, along the way.
JM
