Around the Sun (audio drama)
{{Short description|Scripted podcast / Audio Drama}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox podcast
| title = Around the Sun: An Episodic Audio Drama
| image = File:AROUND THE SUN (Audio Drama) Logo.jpg
| caption = Series-level art for Around the Sun
| genre = Radio Play
| creator = Brad Forenza
| length = 10-15 minutes per episode
| production = Best Version of Yourself, LLC
| num_seasons = 4
| num_episodes = 30
| began = {{start date|2021|10|21}}
| website = {{URL|http://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.{{Cite web |title=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 |url=https://www.suzeebehindthescenes.com/2021/11/interview-filmmakerwriter-brad-forenza.html |access-date=2024-01-19 |language=en}} Production began during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.{{Cite web |title=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 |url=https://www.suzeebehindthescenes.com/2021/11/interview-filmmakerwriter-brad-forenza.html |access-date=2023-02-03 |language=en}}
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.{{Cite web |title=Around The Sun {{!}} Broadway Podcast Network |date=19 October 2021 |url=https://broadwaypodcastnetwork.com/podcast/around-the-sun/ |access-date=2023-02-03 |language=en}} In September 2022, Forenza and Adassa announced on NPR Illinois that a second season would premiere that autumn.{{Cite web |title=Beyond the Mouse speaks to Brad Forenza and Adassa about "Around the Sun" |url=https://www.nprillinois.org/podcast/front-row-network/2022-09-01/beyond-the-mouse-speaks-to-brad-forenza-and-adassa-about-around-the-sun |access-date=2022-09-03 |website=NPR Illinois |language=en}}
= Season 1 (2021-22) =
Season 1: Urban Dwellers premiered on October 21, 2021, via the Broadway Podcast Network,{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=2021-10-21 |title=Jon Favreau Podcast About Solving 'Our Hellish Online Existence' Gets Premiere Date (Podcast News Roundup) |url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/offline-jon-favreau-podcast-crooked-media-roundup-1235094494/ |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Rabinowitz |first=Chloe |title=Listen: Marsha Mason, Austin Pendleton, Sally Struthers & More Star in Around The Sun Audio Drama |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-broadway/article/LISTEN-Marsha-Mason-Austin-Pendleton-Sally-Struthers-More-Star-in-AROUND-THE-SUN-Audio-Drama-20211021 |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |language=en}} with episodes taking place throughout New York City.{{Cite web |date=2021-11-04 |title=Audio Drama Preview: "Around the Sun" Brings Egot Winners and Nominees Together in an Original Audio Drama |url=https://www.theatrereviews.com/audio-drama-preview-around-the-sun-brings-egot-winners-and-nominees-together-in-an-original-audio-drama/ |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=Theatre Reviews Limited |language=en-US}} A special video version of Episode 8: "The Museum," starring Forenza and Vincent Pastore, was produced as an addendum to the season.{{Cite web |last=Rabinowitz |first=Chloe |title=Around The Sun Sets YouTube Premiere Starring Vincent Pastore and Brad Forenza |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-off-broadway/article/AROUND-THE-SUN-Sets-YouTube-Premiere-Starring-Vincent-Pastore-and-Brad-Forenza-20211129 |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |language=en}}
= Season 2 (2022-23) =
Season 2: Desert People premiered on October 26, 2022, via the Broadway Podcast Network.{{Cite web |first=David |last=Menzies |date=2022-10-27 |title=JC resident's audio drama series 'Around the Sun' returns with voices of familiar stars |url=https://www.nj.com/hudson/2022/10/jc-residents-audio-drama-series-around-the-sun-returns-with-voices-of-familiar-stars.html |access-date=2023-02-03 |work=The Jersey Journal |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-10-27 |title="Around the Sun" podcast to Release Season 2 Episodes |url=https://www.newjerseystage.com/articles/getarticle2.php?titlelink=around-the-sun-podcast-to-release-season-2-episodes |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=NewJerseyStage.com}} The season featured a new cast, with episodes unfolding in and around the American Southwest.{{Cite web |title=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 |url=https://www.suzeebehindthescenes.com/2022/10/brad-forenzas-around-sun-podcast-season.html |access-date=2023-02-03 |language=en}} Episodes 6 and 10 starred three-time Oscar nominee Piper Laurie in her last credited roles.{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Jeremy |date=2023-10-14 |title=Piper Laurie, Oscar-Nominated 'Carrie' and 'The Hustler' Actress, Dies at 91 |url=https://www.thewrap.com/piper-laurie-dead-carrie-actress/ |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=TheWrap |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Tenreyro |first=Tatiana |date=2023-10-14 |title='Carrie' and 'Twin Peaks' Star Piper Laurie Dead at 91 |url=https://parade.com/news/piper-laurie-dead |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=Parade |language=en}}
= 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.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-30 |title=Jai Rodriguez takes a trip 'Around The Sun' |url=https://pix11.com/video/jai-rodriguez-takes-a-trip-around-the-sun/9114208/ |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=PIX11 |language=en-US}} The season features a mostly new cast with two performers (Forenza and Clemmons{{Cite web |last=Rabinowitz |first=Chloe |title=Listen: Estelle Parsons, François Clemmons & More Star in Broadway Podcast Network's Around The Sun Podcast |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Listen-Estelle-Parsons-Franois-Clemmons-More-Star-in-Broadway-Podcast-Networks-AROUND-THE-SUN-Podcast-20231018 |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |language=en}}) 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.{{Cite web |last=Rabinowitz |first=Chloe |title=Brad Forenza's Around The Sun Wraps Third Scripted Season, With Original Song Interpreted By Francois Clemmons |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Brad-Forenzas-AROUND-THE-SUN-Wraps-Third-Scripted-Season-With-Original-Song-Interpreted-By-Francois-Clemmons-20240105 |access-date=2024-01-19 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |language=en}}
In a first for the series, Pinecones follows a single story arc,{{Citation |title=Around the Sun with Brad Forenza | date=4 September 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJNVFPtXeSg |access-date=2023-09-28 |language=en}} 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 4 (2024) =
In 2024, a series epilogue (Artists Within) was announced via a documentary-style profile of its voice actors.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-28 |title="Around the Sun" Anthology Audio Drama Series Announces its Season Four Cast via "Slice of Life" Profile |url=https://www.theatrereviews.com/around-the-sun-anthology-audio-drama-series-announces-its-season-four-cast/ |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=Theatre Reviews Limited |language=en-US}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMom8AlbzrA |title=Slice of Life: Artists Within |date=2024-08-26 |last=Best Version of Yourself |access-date=2024-08-31 |via=YouTube}} All three epilogue cast members identify as writer-performers and/or theater-makers and all have been recognized by the Drama Desk Awards. Epilogue episodes are set amidst the constellations, addressing the expanses of the universe.
| class="wikitable"
|+Season 4: Episode Guide !Episode !Title !Starring !Synopsis !Themes |
| 401
|Eternal Flames |Andromeda the Maiden wants to connect with Perseus |monogamy, eternity |
| 402
|Sister Stars |Sister stars in Orion's Belt work to change their lot in life |patriarchy, liberation |
| 403
|Gods and Demigods |Zeus wants the Mirror Ball, but Hermes needs a break |artistic success vs. commercial success |
Reception
Since its initial debut, Around the Sun has become an award-winning drama, receiving both international film festival and internet entertainment honors. These include:
- Two Cutting Room International Film Festival awards (Best Scripted Podcast/Audio Drama for Brad Forenza, 2021; Best Scripted Podcast Ensemble, 2021)
- Five Indie Series Awards nominations and one win (Best Actress: Audio Fiction for Mindy Cohn, 2023)
- Two Venus on Broadway International Film Festival Awards (Best Scripted Podcast for Brad Forenza, 2024; Best Podcast Ensemble, 2024){{Cite web |title=Around the Sun (Podcast Series 2021– ) - Awards |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15741726/awards/?ref_=tt_awd |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=IMDb |language=en-US}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|www.aroundthesunpodcast.com}}
- {{IMDb title|id=15741726|title=Around the Sun}}
- [https://broadwaypodcastnetwork.com/podcast/around-the-sun/ Broadway Podcast Network]