Soap Opera News
Cady McClain Stars In New Drama
December 2, 2023
Three-time Daytime Emmy Award Winner Cady McClain stars in the award-winning episodic audio drama Around the Sun created by Brad Forenza. Though Cady is heard in several episodes, her starring episode alongside The Sopranos’ Robert Funaro drops on November 29, 2023. Cady’s episode can be heard here: https://broadwaypodcastnetwork.com/podcasts/around-the-sun/305-xmas-past-robert-funaro-cady-mcclain/27
Cady is part of the EGOT-winning cast of Season 3 of Around the Sun. The season launched in October of 2023, with new episodes scheduled to drop every two weeks throughout fall 2023 and into early 2024. The audio trailer is here.
Three-time Daytime Emmy-winner 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 Funaro was an absolute delight. I was thrilled to be included in this season of Around the Sun and excited to hear all the performances of the talented actors Brad has brought together! I can’t wait for you to hear this very special podcast!”
Created by actor/writer/producer Brad Forenza, Around the Sun Season 3, called “Pinecones” is a scripted audio drama with a continuing story. Cady is no stranger to scripted drama, having been in All My Children, As the World Turns, Young and the Restless and Days of Our Lives. Along with this role, Cady recently appeared on Law and Order SVU with Ice T and Kevin Kane and at Cape May Stage in the lead role of Shirley Valentine. She is also the Artistic Director for Axial Theatre. The company brings edge-cutting new plays and classic plays to life both in New York City and the Westchester area.
This season’s story – about the Pinecone 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 toMe), Wilson Jermaine Heredia(Tony winner, Rent), Terry Hu (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 perfect for something to listen to in the car, on a walk, exercising or just as a break in the day.
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.”
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).
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 (Producer, Tainted Dreams)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: www.aroundthesunpodcast.com.
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