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. Production began during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.
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. In September 2022, Forenza and Adassa announced on NPR Illinois that a second season would premiere that autumn.
Season 1 (2021–22) Season 1: Urban Dwellers premiered on October 21, 2021, via the Broadway Podcast Network, with episodes taking place throughout New York City. A special video version of Episode 8: "The Museum," starring Forenza and Vincent Pastore, was produced as an addendum to the season.
+ Season 1: Episode Guide Episode Title Starring Synopsis Themes 101 Park Bench Marsha Mason, Austin Pendleton Manhattanites consider their future marriage, retirement 102 Subway Car Sally Struthers, 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, David LaRosa A sex worker stays wary on a professional date destiny, purpose 105 Upper West David Alan Basche, Alysia Reiner College professors discover the unexpected parenting, thwarted plans 106 Apothecary Christine Nagy, BD Wong A woman explores Eastern medicine infertility, heartache, intercultural connection 107 Wall Street Joanna Bonaro, Maureen Van Zandt Neighbors root for their home teams reciprocity, coercion 108 The Museum Brad Forenza, Vincent Pastore A janitor confronts an uninvited guest childhood memory, acceptance 109 Marathon François Clemmons 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: Desert People premiered on October 26, 2022, via the Broadway Podcast Network. The season featured a new cast, with episodes unfolding in and around the American Southwest. Episodes 6 and 10 starred three-time Oscar nominee Piper Laurie in her last credited roles.
+ Season 2: Episode Guide Episode Title Starring Synopsis Themes 201 Red Earth Realty Adassa, Richard Kind A retiree trades New York City for life in the desert serenity, ambition 202 Fallout Girls Caroline Aaron, Jennie Kwan Two Earth Warriors contemplate their fate compassion fatigue, protest 203 Area 51 Taylor Purdee, Bruce Vilanch 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, 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, Piper Laurie On their return trip, two aliens reflect on their visit to "miserable" planet Earth (posthumously dedicated to the memory of Piper Laurie) 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. The season features a mostly new cast with two performers (Forenza and Clemmons) 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.
In a first for the series, Pinecones follows a single story arc, 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 GuideEpisode Title Starring SynopsisThemes301PrologueEstelle ParsonsFamily matriarch, Bibi, ponders a lifetime on her mountain introspection, later life302AdventSeason 3 ensembleBibi's family angles for an unexpected holiday reunionfamily dynamics, winter holidays303Cold SnapWilson Jermaine Heredia, Jai RodriguezAndrew and Kyle face two different kinds of tundrafamily planning, grief304 Snow BunniesJudy Gold, Terry HuWill divine intervention reach the Snow Bunny Skate before Paula and Jay? hormones, adolescence, menopause305 Xmas PastRobert Funaro, Cady McClainChildhood friends, Grace and Max, strive to see each other in a new lightfirst loves, functional substance abuse306 Blue SquaresSeason 3 ensembleThe Pinecone family says goodbye to Bibiexpectations, closure307MountaintopFrançois Clemmons, Brad Forenza, Estelle ParsonsSpike catches his bus to enlightenment, with natural memories in tow personal growth, metamorphosis
Season 4 (2024) In 2024, a series epilogue (Artists Within) was announced via a documentary-style profile of its voice actors. 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. +Season 4: Episode GuideEpisodeTitleStarringSynopsisThemes401Eternal FlamesGretchen Cryer, Joe Gilford Andromeda the Maiden wants to connect with Perseusmonogamy, eternity 402Sister StarsGretchen Cryer, Sarah SaltzbergSister stars in Orion's Belt work to change their lot in lifepatriarchy, liberation 403Gods and DemigodsJoe Gilford, Sarah SaltzbergZeus wants the Mirror Ball, but Hermes needs a breakartistic 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) Four Venus on Broadway International Film Festival Awards (Best Scripted Podcast for Brad Forenza, 2024 and 2025; Best Podcast Ensemble, 2024 and 2025)
References
External links
Broadway Podcast Network