Winner 2016

The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel

Mars Patel LLC

An original, serialized podcast, The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel transports listeners to H.G. Wells Middle School to follow Mars Patel—a plucky but brilliant outcast prone to trouble—and his friends as they investigate the mysterious connection between disappearing kids and a billionaire inventor. With vivid characters and fast-paced storytelling, The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel recaptures the best of golden age radio while also representing fresh and diverse young voices. The hero is an Indian-American son of a single mother, and one of his best friends is a gruff young girl who may well identify as a boy. Never preachy, the podcast artfully embodies both an old-fashioned sensibility and a modern outlook, while exploring timeless pre-adolescent themes. Crushes and misunderstandings collide with attack drones and spaceships, dramatizing beautifully the thrills and absurdities of growing up. For introducing a new generation to the wonders of audio storytelling, The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel earns a Peabody Award.

PRIMARY PRODUCTION CREDITS

Creators: Chris Tarry, Benjamin Strouse, David Kreizman, Jenny Turner Hall. Executive Producer: Benjamin Strouse. Music: Chris Tarry & Shawn Pierce. Head Writer: David Kreizman. Director: Jenny Turner Hall. Sound Design: Chris Tarry & Alan Friedman. Performers: Jaiya Chetram, Michael Perilstein, Natalie Mehl, Kate Wolfson, Wyatt Ralff, Carter Minor, Fiona Kreizman, Dashiell Kreizman, Mary Grace Rumley, Charlie Pollock, Dina Pearlman, Robbie Berry, Sonali Ghanti, Alexa Harris-Ralff, David Kestenbaum.