FOUND Musical Podcast Series to Explore Stories of Love, Loss and More

FOUND, a new musical and Killer Films Media in partnership with Wondery announce the launch of the FOUND podcast series and app.

The FOUND podcast series will explore personal stories of love, loss, hope, transformation and aspiration through the lens of lost and found notes combined with the power of humor and music.

The FOUND app will feature notes from the podcast, giving users a way to track them on a global map, pin finds to a timeline, invite friends to help piece the FOUND mysteries together, share inspirational notes on social media and upload new notes for consideration.

The FOUND podcast series, recorded and post-produced at Union Editorial in Los Angeles, and the FOUND app are the next installations in a franchise conceived and created by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and "This American Life" contributor Davy Rothbart.

Rothbart, who will host the series, launched the FOUND brand in 2001 when he stumbled upon a note meant for a cheating boyfriend that had been mistakenly placed on the windshield of his car. This launch marks the 15-year anniversary for FOUND Magazine.

"I started FOUND as a D.I.Y. community art project - a simple way for people with natural curiosity and a sense of wonder to share the fascinating notes, letters, and photos they'd found with one another. It's been absolutely thrilling to see the way the project has exploded over the years, to books, tours, even a musical, and to discover so many kindred spirits who share my interest in other people's lives," said Rothbart. "I couldn't be more excited to launch the FOUND Podcast, which twines my passions for radio storytelling with my love of found objects. Thanks for listening!"

Over the last two decades, FOUND has evolved from a magazine publication that inspired a cult following, to three New York Times best-selling books, a hit Off Broadway world premiere musical and television and radio segments on "Late Night with David Letterman," "This American Life" and "20/20".

The acclaimed stage production FOUND, the musical from creators Hunter Bell, Lee Overtree and Eli Bolin, which inspired the new podcast and app, will hit the stage again this fall with the Philadelphia Theatre Company's production that begins performances in November, marking the first time a podcast and an app have been produced in concert with a musical.

"Since discovering Davy Rothbart's grassroots storytelling, it's been a remarkable journey ushering it from the pages of a magazine to the musical stage. When Killer described a podcast/app brand extension, my partners Benjamin Salka, Eva Price and I knew this was a natural next step in bringing it to a wider audience," said Victoria Lang, a producer for FOUND, the musical. "We are excited to connect with a larger community to explore the endless supply of extraordinary stories of ordinary people hidden in plain sight in the world all around us. Who knows... they could wind up in our musical one day."

"It used to be that content was king. Well now, content is commodity, and great story is the real royalty. FOUND is so much 'truth is stranger than fiction' adventure, we could not resist," said Adrienne Becker, CEO of Killer Content.

For Wondery, a media company specialized in mobile and on-demand audio storytelling, FOUND is its first original series.

"Everybody wants to hear a story - and Wondery was created to fulfill that need. We are proud to partner with Davy, FOUND, the musical and Killer in FOUND, our first original podcast and app," said Hernan Lopez, founder of Wondery.

Beginning today, listeners can subscribe to the FOUND podcast on iTunes and listen to a sneak preview. The series will also be available on wondery.com/found and Google Play, among others. Full episodes will be available every other Wednesday premiering on July 13, followed by weekly updates. The format will include a diverse roster of guest hosts and dramatized storytelling.

The FOUND app will be available for download via the Apple AppStore and fans can interact with the FOUND podcast by way of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @FOUNDpodcast.

FOUND is a fresh new musical that isn't just based on one true story, but on hundreds of them. FOUND features unique storytelling with a book by Hunter Bell and Lee Overtree and music and original lyrics by Eli Bolin. Featuring hundreds of real found letters culled from Davy Rothbart's popular FOUND Magazine, this original musical is a humorous and moving exploration of human connection, friendship, communication and the beautiful weirdness in everyone. For more information, visit FoundTheMusical.com.

Killer Films Media, a Killer Content company, produces engaging, multi-platform brand content for storytellers such as UBS and Conde Nast, tapping the Company's direct, high-level access to the world's best narrative talent and expertise. Killer Content is comprised of Killer Films Media, Killer Films and Killer Impact. For more information visit killercontentco.com.

Wondery is a brand-new media company specialized in mobile and on-demand audio storytelling, that connects wonderers and brands to a world of entertainment and a world of knowledge. For more information, visit wondery.com.

Union Editorial is a leading post-production enterprise with facilities in Santa Monica, CA, New York City, Austin TX, and London, through an alliance with Marshall Street Editors. The Company also develops and produces original content, in partnership with Killer Content companies through its Union Entertainment banner. Other Union companies include Platform, a creative and advertising solution for the gaming industry; and Resolution, a visual effects boutique specializing in visual effects for commercials, features and gaming.