Around The Sun - Brad Forenza - Bottomless Coffee with Jerome

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In this episode of Bottomless Coffee Podcast Jerome and guest Brad Forenza explore the intersection of human connection, avian homicide, and the creative arts. And unless I miss my guess – they also become friends!

Around the Sun is a scripted, episodic audio drama that explores human connections, made and missed, with an existential flare. Whether consumed together or independently, the comedy, tragedy, and soul of Around the Sun embraces one character’s assertion that, “We’re never alone… even if it feels like the opposite is often true.” The series was created by Brad Forenza, and produced via remote technology throughout the pandemic, and onward.

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Hit audio drama AROUND THE SUN wraps third season, with starry EGOT-winning cast

Voice acting ensemble brings together Francois Clemmons, Brad Forenza, Robert Funaro, Judy Gold, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Terry Hu, Cady McClain, Estelle Parsons, and Jai Rodriguez in season 3 miniseries, Pinecones

Around the Sun, the episodic audio drama featuring award-winning talent from stage and screen, recently wrapped its third season of production. New episodes will drop weekly throughout fall 2023 and into early 2024. Created by actor/writer/producer Brad Forenza, Around the Sun is presented via the Broadway Podcast Network and available “wherever you listen to podcasts.”

“Season 3 is a miniseries, with our voice acting ensemble integrated throughout the season, in a continuous, ongoing conflict,” explained 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 team of voice actors.”

The overarching conflict pertains to the Pinecone family matriarch (played by Academy Award 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).

“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,” observed three-time Emmy winner, Cady McClain. “It was a true pleasure to explore this complex and heartbreaking character and getting to work with Robert Funaro was an absolute delight. I can’t wait for you to hear this very special podcast!” she concluded.

Robert Funaro agreed: “We are all in this together, and Brad’s writing offers a cornucopia of what could be our past and how it shapes our future,” he noted. “Brad is an honest writer, unafraid to tackle the adversities we all face. I was truly moved and also honored to be working with Cady MaClain, who brought to her role as ‘Grace’ what every actor hopes for: simply the truth of one’s own experience married to her part.”

Around the Sun’s season three miniseries, Pinecones, is slated to launch via the Broadway Podcast Network throughout fall 2023, and into early 2024. Listeners eager for a head start can stream the award-winning first and second seasons now, “wherever they get their podcasts.

Around the Sun is a Best Version of Yourself production, created by Brad Forenza, and presented via the Broadway Podcast Network. It is 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: www.aroundthesunpodcast.com.

ABOUT SEASON 1:

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.

ABOUT SEASON 2:

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: Caroline Aaron (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Adassa (Encanto), 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).