Around the Sun (audio drama)
Scripted podcast / Audio Drama
Podcast
Around the Sun: An Episodic Audio Drama Genre Radio Play Created by Brad Forenza Length 10-15 minutes per episode Production Best Version of Yourself, LLC No. of seasons3 No. of episodes27 Original release October 21, 2021 (2021-10-21 ) Website aroundthesunpodcast .com
Around the Sun: An Episodic Audio Drama is a scripted podcast series. Each anthology episode pairs two characters in a short scene that addresses a specific social issue.[1] Production began during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States .[2]
Production
Around the Sun is written and produced by Brad Forenza. The first season was co-produced by Suzanne Ordas Curry and Brian Dashew and launched via the Broadway Podcast Network in October 2021.[3] In September 2022, Forenza and Adassa announced on NPR Illinois that a second season would premiere that autumn.[4]
Season 1 (2021-22)
Season 1 premiered on October 21, 2021, via the Broadway Podcast Network,[5] [6] with episodes taking place throughout New York City .[7] A special video version of Episode 8: "The Museum," starring Forenza and Vincent Pastore , was produced as an addendum to the season.[8]
Season 1: Episode Guide
Episode
Title
Starring
Synopsis
Themes
101
Park Bench
Marsha Mason ,[9] Austin Pendleton [10]
Manhattanites consider their future
marriage, retirement
102
Subway Car
Sally Struthers ,[11] Ryan Wotherspoon
Happenings on the 1 train
commitment, existential panic
103
Off-Broadway
Lilli Cooper ,
Veanne Cox
Fellow theatricals meet at a crossroads
friendship, ambition
104
Red Light
Dolores Catania ,[12] David LaRosa
A sex worker stays wary on a professional date
destiny, purpose
105
Upper West
David Alan Basche , Alysia Reiner [13]
College professors discover the unexpected
parenting, thwarted plans
106
Apothecary
Christine Nagy ,[14] BD Wong
A woman explores Eastern medicine
infertility, heartache, intercultural connection
107
Wall Street
Joanna Bonaro, Maureen Van Zandt [15]
Neighbors root for their home teams
reciprocity, coercion
108
The Museum
Brad Forenza,
Vincent Pastore [16]
A janitor confronts an uninvited guest
childhood memory, acceptance
109
Marathon
François Clemmons [17]
A runner tackles the NYC Marathon
development, aging, life course approach
110
Be Here Now
Marsha Mason ,
Austin Pendleton
A cosmic reunion occurs
the afterlife , infinity
Season 2 (2022-23)
Season 2 premiered on October 26, 2022, via the Broadway Podcast Network.[18] [19] The season featured a new cast, with episodes unfolding in and around the American Southwest .[20] Episodes 6 and 10 starred three-time Oscar nominee Piper Laurie in her last credited roles.[21] [22]
Season 2: Episode Guide
Episode
Title
Starring
Synopsis
Themes
201
Red Earth Realty
Adassa ,[23] Richard Kind [24]
A retiree trades New York City for life in the desert
serenity, ambition
202
Fallout Girls
Caroline Aaron , Jennie Kwan [25]
Two Earth Warriors contemplate their fate
compassion fatigue , protest
203
Area 51
Taylor Purdee ,[26] Bruce Vilanch [27]
Military personnel have different interpretations of their oath
hierarchy , value conflicts
204
Off the Reservation
Richard Kline , Jennie Kwan
A father chases his youth at a desert music festival
empty nest syndrome , dissociation
205
Mirage
Mindy Cohn ,[28] Taylor A. Purdee
A hydroponic farm says goodbye to its first intern
youth, sustainability
206
Coyotes
Piper Laurie
A grandmother regales her grandson with natural stimuli
intergenerationality , grandparenting
207
Lonely Planet
Mindy Cohn , Bruce Vilanch
Two Trekkies ponder life beyond their convention
unrequited love , suspension of disbelief
208
After the Apocalypse
Caroline Aaron , Richard Kline
An estranged husband and wife confront each other
running away, rejection
209
Borrowed Land
Adassa , Richard Kind
A semi-retired realtor enforces her "no refunds or exchanges" policy
role reversal, balance
210
Intelligent Life
Brad Forenza,[29] Piper Laurie
On their return trip, two aliens reflect on their visit to "miserable" planet Earth
perspective, the human condition
Season 3 (2023-24)
Season 3: Pinecones premiered on October 18, 2023, via the Broadway Podcast Network. The Season 3 announcement was confirmed by cast member Jai Rodriguez on WPIX television.[30] The season features a mostly new cast with two performers (Forenza and Clemmons [31] ) returning to the project in new roles. The final episode includes an original song written by series creator Brad Forenza and interpreted by François Clemmons .[32]
In a first for the series, Pinecones follows a single story arc,[33] with each episode offering a different conversation between varying members of an extended family (along with members of their local community). The narrative takes place in an undisclosed mountain town in the American Northeast during the winter holiday season. It makes literal and thematic references to Frank Capra ’s It’s a Wonderful Life .
Season 3: Episode Guide
Episode
Title
Starring
Synopsis
Themes
301
Prologue
Estelle Parsons [34]
Family matriarch, Bibi, ponders a lifetime on her mountain
introspection, later life
302
Advent
Season 3 ensemble
Bibi's family angles for an unexpected holiday reunion
family dynamics, winter holidays
303
Cold Snap
Wilson Jermaine Heredia , Jai Rodriguez [35] [36]
Andrew and Kyle face two different kinds of tundra
family planning , grief
304
Snow Bunnies
Judy Gold , Terry Hu
Will divine intervention reach the Snow Bunny Skate before Paula and Jay?
hormones , adolescence , menopause
305
Xmas Past
Robert Funaro ,[37] Cady McClain [38]
Childhood friends, Grace and Max, strive to see each other in a new light
first loves, functional substance abuse
306
Blue Squares
Season 3 ensemble
The Pinecone family says goodbye to Bibi
expectations, closure
307
Mountaintop
François Clemmons ,[39] Brad Forenza,
Estelle Parsons [40]
Spike catches his bus to enlightenment, with natural memories in tow
personal growth, metamorphosis
References
^ "Interview: Filmmaker/Writer Brad Forenza Talks about Creating his Around the Sun Podcast Series During the Pandemic - A Scripted Series about Social Issues with Known Actor from Stage and Screen" . Retrieved 2024-01-19 .
^ "Interview: Filmmaker/Writer Brad Forenza Talks about Creating his Around the Sun Podcast Series During the Pandemic - A Scripted Series about Social Issues with Known Actor from Stage and Screen" . Retrieved 2023-02-03 .
^ "Around The Sun | Broadway Podcast Network" . 19 October 2021. Retrieved 2023-02-03 .
^ "Beyond the Mouse speaks to Brad Forenza and Adassa about "Around the Sun" " . NPR Illinois . Retrieved 2022-09-03 .
^ Spangler, Todd (2021-10-21). "Jon Favreau Podcast About Solving 'Our Hellish Online Existence' Gets Premiere Date (Podcast News Roundup)" . Variety . Retrieved 2023-02-03 .
^ Rabinowitz, Chloe. "LISTEN: Marsha Mason, Austin Pendleton, Sally Struthers & More Star in AROUND THE SUN Audio Drama" . BroadwayWorld.com . Retrieved 2023-02-03 .
^ "Audio Drama Preview: "Around the Sun" Brings Egot Winners and Nominees Together in an Original Audio Drama" . Theatre Reviews Limited . 2021-11-04. Retrieved 2023-02-03 .
^ Rabinowitz, Chloe. "AROUND THE SUN Sets YouTube Premiere Starring Vincent Pastore and Brad Forenza" . BroadwayWorld.com . Retrieved 2023-10-30 .
^ Berk, Dr Nancy (2022-02-21). "Marsha Mason Talks Acting, Directing, Attitude, and Mentoring, Plus Brad Forenza on Plays and Podcasts - Episode 565" . Dr. Nancy Berk . Retrieved 2022-09-03 .
^ "Austin Pendleton Returns to Broadway in 'The Minutes' - Inside Broadway" . iHeart . Retrieved 2022-09-03 .
^ "See "All in the Family" Star Sally Struthers Now at 74" . www.yahoo.com . 25 November 2021. Retrieved 2022-09-18 .
^ Journal, David Menzies | The Jersey (2021-11-11). " 'Around the Sun' podcast series from Jersey City resident features quite an ensemble, including RHONJ Dolores Catania" . nj . Retrieved 2022-09-03 .
^ "The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales" . The Theatre Podcast . Retrieved 2022-07-15 .
^ Christine Nagy Ep #102 , 2022-03-16, retrieved 2022-07-15
^ Around the Sun - Brad Forenza, Francois Scarborough Clemmons and Maureen Van Zandt , retrieved 2023-02-03
^ Papadatos, Markos (2022-02-04). "Vincent Pastore of 'The Sopranos' talks about 'Around the Sun' podcast" . Digital Journal . Retrieved 2022-09-03 .
^ Kenyan (2022-03-20). "Sunday Inspiration: Dr. François S. Clemmons AKA "Officer Clemmons" From 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood' Talks His Amazing Journey" . We Are Entertainment News . Retrieved 2022-09-03 .
^ Journal, David Menzies | The Jersey (2022-10-27). "JC resident's audio drama series 'Around the Sun' returns with voices of familiar stars" . nj . Retrieved 2023-02-03 .
^ " "Around the Sun" podcast to Release Season 2 Episodes" . NewJerseyStage.com . 2022-10-27. Retrieved 2023-02-03 .
^ "Brad Forenza's Around The Sun Podcast Season Features the Voices of Richard Kind, Caroline Aaron, Richard Kline, Adassa, Mindy Cohn, Jennie Kwan, Piper Laurie, Taylor Purdee and Bruce Vilanch" . Retrieved 2023-02-03 .
^ Bailey, Jeremy (2023-10-14). "Piper Laurie, Oscar-Nominated 'Carrie' and 'The Hustler' Actress, Dies at 91" . TheWrap . Retrieved 2023-10-30 .
^ Tenreyro, Tatiana (2023-10-14). " 'Carrie' and 'Twin Peaks' Star Piper Laurie Dead at 91" . Parade . Retrieved 2023-10-30 .
^ "DDP Today: Episode 263: Interview with Adassa from Encanto and Brad Forenza on Apple Podcasts" . Apple Podcasts . Retrieved 2023-02-03 .
^ Wild, Stephi. "Listen: Adassa and Richard Kind Kick Off New Season of Brad Forenza's AROUND THE SUN" . BroadwayWorld.com . Retrieved 2023-02-03 .
^ Jennie Kwan, California Dreams, Avatar: The Last Air Bender, Around The Sun on The Jim Masters Show , retrieved 2023-02-03
^ Friday Wrap Up Show...Apple Cider Day, Married To a Scorpio Support Day, Mickey Mouse Day! , retrieved 2023-02-03
^ Bruce Vilanch & Brad Forenza from Around the Sun Podcast | Full Interview , retrieved 2023-02-03
^ "Interview: Five Questions for Actress Mindy Cohn - She Talks about her New Role in Brad Forenza's Around the Sun Podcast, The Facts of Life and a New Venture" . Retrieved 2023-02-03 .
^ Season 4 Kickoff! François Clemmons, Brad Forenza, and Yolanda! , retrieved 2023-02-03
^ "Jai Rodriguez takes a trip 'Around The Sun' " . PIX11 . 2023-10-30. Retrieved 2023-10-30 .
^ Rabinowitz, Chloe. "Listen: Estelle Parsons, François Clemmons & More Star in Broadway Podcast Network's AROUND THE SUN Podcast" . BroadwayWorld.com . Retrieved 2024-01-18 .
^ Rabinowitz, Chloe. "Brad Forenza's AROUND THE SUN Wraps Third Scripted Season, With Original Song Interpreted By Francois Clemmons" . BroadwayWorld.com . Retrieved 2024-01-19 .
^ Around the Sun with Brad Forenza , retrieved 2023-09-28
^ Rabinowitz, Chloe. "Listen: Estelle Parsons, François Clemmons & More Star in Broadway Podcast Network's AROUND THE SUN Podcast" . BroadwayWorld.com . Retrieved 2024-01-19 .
^ "Around The Sun Podcast starts Season 3" . StageBuddy.com . 2023-10-30. Retrieved 2024-01-18 .
^ Journal, David Menzies | The Jersey (2023-10-17). "Go 'Around the Sun' a third time with audio drama podcast from JC resident" . nj . Retrieved 2024-01-18 .
^ Papadatos, Markos (2023-11-07). "Robert Funaro of 'The Sopranos' talks about 'Around the Sun' audio drama" . Digital Journal . Retrieved 2024-01-18 .
^ Around the Sun featuring Brad Forenza, Robert Funaro and Emmy winner Cady McClain , retrieved 2024-01-19
^ Rabinowitz, Chloe. "Brad Forenza's AROUND THE SUN Wraps Third Scripted Season, With Original Song Interpreted By Francois Clemmons" . BroadwayWorld.com . Retrieved 2024-01-19 .
^ Rabinowitz, Chloe. "Listen: Estelle Parsons, François Clemmons & More Star in Broadway Podcast Network's AROUND THE SUN Podcast" . BroadwayWorld.com . Retrieved 2024-01-18 .
External links