Around the Sun: An Episodic Audio Drama
Presentation
GenreRadio Play
Created byBrad Forenza
Length10-15 minutes per episode
Production
ProductionBest Version of Yourself, LLC
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes27
Publication
Original releaseOctober 21, 2021 (2021-10-21)
Related
Websitearoundthesunpodcast.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]

Around the Sun (Season 1 Logo)

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
Around the Sun (Season 2 Logo)

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)

Around the Sun (Season 3 Logo)

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, metapmorphosis

References

  1. ^ "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.
  2. ^ "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.
  3. ^ "Around The Sun | Broadway Podcast Network". 19 October 2021. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
  4. ^ "Beyond the Mouse speaks to Brad Forenza and Adassa about "Around the Sun"". NPR Illinois. Retrieved 2022-09-03.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ Rabinowitz, Chloe. "LISTEN: Marsha Mason, Austin Pendleton, Sally Struthers & More Star in AROUND THE SUN Audio Drama". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ Rabinowitz, Chloe. "AROUND THE SUN Sets YouTube Premiere Starring Vincent Pastore and Brad Forenza". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ "Austin Pendleton Returns to Broadway in 'The Minutes' - Inside Broadway". iHeart. Retrieved 2022-09-03.
  11. ^ "See "All in the Family" Star Sally Struthers Now at 74". www.yahoo.com. 25 November 2021. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ "The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales". The Theatre Podcast. Retrieved 2022-07-15.
  14. ^ Christine Nagy Ep #102, 2022-03-16, retrieved 2022-07-15
  15. ^ Around the Sun - Brad Forenza, Francois Scarborough Clemmons and Maureen Van Zandt, retrieved 2023-02-03
  16. ^ Papadatos, Markos (2022-02-04). "Vincent Pastore of 'The Sopranos' talks about 'Around the Sun' podcast". Digital Journal. Retrieved 2022-09-03.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ ""Around the Sun" podcast to Release Season 2 Episodes". NewJerseyStage.com. 2022-10-27. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
  20. ^ "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.
  21. ^ Bailey, Jeremy (2023-10-14). "Piper Laurie, Oscar-Nominated 'Carrie' and 'The Hustler' Actress, Dies at 91". TheWrap. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  22. ^ Tenreyro, Tatiana (2023-10-14). "'Carrie' and 'Twin Peaks' Star Piper Laurie Dead at 91". Parade. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  23. ^ "DDP Today: Episode 263: Interview with Adassa from Encanto and Brad Forenza on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
  24. ^ Wild, Stephi. "Listen: Adassa and Richard Kind Kick Off New Season of Brad Forenza's AROUND THE SUN". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
  25. ^ Jennie Kwan, California Dreams, Avatar: The Last Air Bender, Around The Sun on The Jim Masters Show, retrieved 2023-02-03
  26. ^ Friday Wrap Up Show...Apple Cider Day, Married To a Scorpio Support Day, Mickey Mouse Day!, retrieved 2023-02-03
  27. ^ Bruce Vilanch & Brad Forenza from Around the Sun Podcast | Full Interview, retrieved 2023-02-03
  28. ^ "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.
  29. ^ Season 4 Kickoff! François Clemmons, Brad Forenza, and Yolanda!, retrieved 2023-02-03
  30. ^ "Jai Rodriguez takes a trip 'Around The Sun'". PIX11. 2023-10-30. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  31. ^ Rabinowitz, Chloe. "Listen: Estelle Parsons, François Clemmons & More Star in Broadway Podcast Network's AROUND THE SUN Podcast". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  32. ^ 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.
  33. ^ Around the Sun with Brad Forenza, retrieved 2023-09-28
  34. ^ Rabinowitz, Chloe. "Listen: Estelle Parsons, François Clemmons & More Star in Broadway Podcast Network's AROUND THE SUN Podcast". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2024-01-19.
  35. ^ "Around The Sun Podcast starts Season 3". StageBuddy.com. 2023-10-30. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  36. ^ 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.
  37. ^ Papadatos, Markos (2023-11-07). "Robert Funaro of 'The Sopranos' talks about 'Around the Sun' audio drama". Digital Journal. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  38. ^ Around the Sun featuring Brad Forenza, Robert Funaro and Emmy winner Cady McClain, retrieved 2024-01-19
  39. ^ 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.
  40. ^ Rabinowitz, Chloe. "Listen: Estelle Parsons, François Clemmons & More Star in Broadway Podcast Network's AROUND THE SUN Podcast". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2024-01-18.

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