(NEW YORK, NY) -- Around the Sun, the award-winning episodic audio drama featuring award-winning talent from stage and screen will be launching Season 3 on October 18, 2023 with two new episodes, then episodes are scheduled to drop every two weeks throughout fall 2023 and into early 2024. Created by actor/writer/producer Brad Forenza, Around the Sun is a scripted audio series of self-contained stories with a theme. For Season 3 Forenza has started something new, each episode builds more of the story.
This season's story - about the Pinecones family and friends, is voiced by an EGOT-winning cast. The ensemble includes Francois Clemmons (Grammy winner, Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood), Brad Forenza (A Case of Blue), Robert Funaro (The Sopranos, The Irishman), Judy Gold, (Emmy winner, She Came to Me), Wilson Jermaine Heredia (Tony winner, Rent), Terry (Never Have I Ever), Cady McClain (Daytime Emmy Winner - Days, All My Children), Estelle Parsons (Oscar winner, Bonnie and Clyde) and Jai Rodriguez (Emmy winner, Queer Eye). The series is presented via the Broadway Podcast Network and available “wherever you listen to podcasts.”
“Season 3, 'Pinecones' - is a miniseries, with our voice acting ensemble integrated throughout the season, in a continuous, ongoing conflict,” explains Forenza. “That said, most of the episodes can still be enjoyed independently, reminiscent of prior seasons. And of course, we’re still exploring human connections, made and missed, with an existential flare, as brought to fabulous life by our celebrated ensemble of voice actors.”
The overarching conflict pertains to the Pinecone family matriarch (played by Oscar winner for Bonnie and Clyde, Estelle Parsons), who is called away from her mountain home by a familiar, omniscient voice (played by Grammy winner for Porgy and Bess, François Clemmons). The Pinecone family children (played by Emmy winners Judy Gold, Cady McClain, and Jai Rodriguez) and her caretaker (played by series creator Brad Forenza) are then forced to reconcile their past, present, and future selves. Helping them to cope is an all-knowing bartender (played by Sopranos alum, Robert Funaro), a new age-y therapist (played by Tony winner for Rent, Wilson Jermaine Heredia), and the matriarch’s younger confidant (played by breakout Disney star, Terry Hu). It is a story that will bring you into the lives of the characters as they deal with the reality of the world today. Each episode is under 13 minutes making it prefect for something to listen to in the car, on a walk, exercising or just as a break in the day.
Francois Clemmons states, “To perform is to give of yourself. A performance can have deep meaning and symbolism when it matches the text, which is exactly what Brad’s writing empowers here, in Around the Sun.”
Cady McClain states, “I am so excited to have worked on Around the Sun. I’ve been hoping Brad would ask me, as I really love his writing and what he’s done combining the worlds of theater and podcasting. It was a true pleasure to explore this complex and heartbreaking character and getting to work with Robert Funero was an absolute delight. I can’t wait for you to hear this very special podcast!”
Robert Funaro of The Sopranos fame adds, "We're all in this together, and Brad's writing offers a cornucopia of what could be our past and how it shapes our future. He is an honest writer unafraid to tackle the adversities we all face... I was truly moved, and also honored to be working with Cady McClain, who brought to her role as 'Grace' what every actor hopes for: simply the truth.”
Jai Rodriguez says, “I’ve been lucky to have seen and been a part of the evolution of queer representation in media for over two decades. But playing a nuanced, expectant ‘dad to be’ opposite the iconic Wilson Heredia was really full circle for me. While we did get to do RENT together for a short while, getting to build characters together was a dream come true.”
Around the Sun is a Best Version of Yourself production, created by Brad Forenza, and presented via the Broadway Podcast Network. Associate Producers are Duane Scott Cerny, Suzanne Ordas Curry and Diana Prano. Sound design and theme music by Shane Curry. Around the Sun Podcast available for listening wherever one listens to podcasts. Continue the #AroundTheSunPodcast conversation via the show’s creator (fb: @BVOYLLC; IG @BradForenza; Twitter: @BradForenza), and Around the Sun’s compendium website.
Previous Seasons:
Season 1 of Around the Sun is based in New York City and features the prolific voice acting talents of: David Alan Basche (The Exes), Joanna Bonaro (Good ‘n Screwed), Dolores Catania (Real Housewives of NJ), François Clemmons (Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood), Lilli Cooper (Spring Awakening), Veanne Cox (Cinderella), Brad Forenza (A Case of Blue), David LaRosa (Clandestine), Marsha Mason (The Goodbye Girl), Christine Nagy (Lite FM), Vincent Pastore (The Sopranos), Austin Pendleton (What’s Up, Doc?), Alysia Reiner (Orange is the New Black), Sally Struthers (All in the Family), Maureen Van Zandt (The Sopranos), BD Wong (Jurassic Park), and Ryan Wotherspoon (Fogg)… all playing New Yorkers, yearning to connect.
Season 2 of Around the Sun is set in a seemingly defunct part of the American southwest, brought to rich, dramatic life by the voices of: Adassa (Encanto), Caroline Aaron (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Mindy Cohn (The Facts of Life), Brad Forenza (By Any Means), Richard Kind (Inside Out), Richard Kline (Three’s Company), Jennie Kwan (California Dreams), Piper Laurie (Carrie), Taylor Purdee (Killian and the Comeback Kids), and Bruce Vilanch (Hollywood Squares).
