Michael Kostroff - Actor (Spider Noir / The Wire / Dog Day Afternoon on Broadway)

Michael Kostroff - Actor (Spider Noir / The Wire / Dog Day Afternoon on Broadway)

Michael Kostroff Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Michael Kostroff. Michael has been a working actor for several decades and is well known for several roles. In this episode, we chat about some of those roles, some of those shows, and he shares experiences from them. We talk about his breakout role on 'The Wire', his stints as Max Bialystok in SEVEN separate touring productions of the smash hit 'The Producers', and some of his other prominent roles. Aat the time we recorded this episode; Michael was toward the end of his run on 'Dog Day Afternoon' on Broadway. Michael was kind enough to actually record this during his Broadway debut! We do a bit of a deep dive into Michael's career; both before he became a household face, and after. He was a writer at Disneyland, which was a thing I didn't even know existed. I ask him questions about working on 'Studio 60 On the Sunset Strip', and what it is like to work on an Aaron Sorkin project. He shares stories from the set of 'The Blacklist' and getting to work with his pal Deirdre Lovejoy again, singing the theme song for a television show, and doing yet another job I didn't know existed; but this time for Tony Bennett. Then we jump into Michael's role as the mayor of New York and working with Nicolas Cage on 'Spider Noir'. Of course, I ask him about fulfilling his life-long dream of performing on Broadway, and what it is like being part of 'Dog Day Afternoon'. Then we discuss his various books. Michael Kostroff has written 4 books so far, and we get into a couple of them. Michael teaches a workshop that helps actors get out of their own heads when doing auditions, it's called 'Audition Psych 101'. He also wrote a book by the same name and there is an audio version as well. We have a pretty in-depth discussion around this topic and his need to share what he has learned along the way. This is a fun and wild ride that goes all over the place. Michael even talks about that one time where he was the driver on the campaign for a person who went on to become The President of the United States of America! Follow Michael everywhere, buy the books, watch the shows, take the workshop. You will be better for it!

Throwback: Rachel Dolezal - Yes, THAT one!

Hey Streetwalkers. This is a throwback episode with fine artist & activist Rachel Dolezal. Rachel has appeared twice on the show and her first appeared on the show on 1.6.20 It was such a compelling & fun episode, l decided it needed to be re-visited! Enjoy this throwback episode, tell a friend, and thanks for listening!  Rachel Dolezal - Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know THE REAL Rachel Dolezal. In this episode we chat about where she grew up and what it was like to grow up feeling like she did not belong. We also talk alot about race and it's place in society; as well as some of the differences in which different people are treated. Of course we talk about the events that catipulted her name into the public eye, the family events that instigated that entire mess; and what she is doing now. I know a lot of folks have a preconceived idea about this young lady; but my hope is that you will listen to this woman's story with an open mind. Maybe, just maybe, by the end of this episode; you will have attained a touch more compassion and understanding about what she went (and is still going) through. This was a very big honor for me and my sincerest wish is that all of you enjoy it as well. Follow Rachel on social medis: Twit: @RachelADolezal Insta: @RachelADolezal FB: @Rachel Dolezal Check out her website: RachelDolezal.com

Randy Oglesby - Actor (Spider Noir / The Burbs / For All Mankind)

Randy Oglesby Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know actor Randy Oglesby. Randy has been an actor on television, film, and stage for more decades than I feel comfortable saying! In this episode, we chat about some of his pre-acting jobs, and why he eventually decided to get into acting. We touch on some of his earlier acting roles and experiences, and even what famous actress was in his high school drama class. We take a little detour as we discuss some of his stage performances and projects in the Los Angeles area. Randy shares his opinions about self-tape auditions versus in the room, which he prefers and the reasons why. Finally, we dive into his roles on THREE current television shows. Randy plays president of The United States Jim Bragg on Apple TV's 'For All Mankind', police chief McNamara on Amazon Prime's 'Marvel's Spider Noir', and Bill Festersen on Peacock's 'The Burbs'. He shares a few stories around the SEVEN roles he has played in the Star Trek universe, before I pepper him with industry and audition questions that we provided by an actress who happens to also be a listener. Make sure you catch Randy on those three shows and keep an eye out for him on some of your favorite films and TV shows from past, present, and future!

Throwback: Tommy Chong - Musician / Author / Comedian / Marijuana Advocate (Cheech & Chong) #300

Hey Streetwalkers. This is a throwback episode with Canadian-American comedian, actor Tommy Chong. Tommy is most known for being part of the weed themed comedy duo Cheech & Chong, and he first appeared as the guest for the 300th episode on 4.20.22. It was such a compelling & fun episode, l decided it needed to be re-visited! Enjoy this throwback episode, tell a friend, and thanks for listening! Tommy Chong *** THIS IS EPISODE 300 OF FASCINATION STREET PODCAST!! *** Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Tommy Chong. Tommy takes us on a journey of getting to know him. From the Canadian farm he was born and raised on, to starting the very first strip club in Vancouver, to getting signed by Motown Records and touring the world playing with acts like Diana Ross & The Supremes, to sharing a stage with Jimi Hendrix, and smoking pot with one of The Beatles and someone from Leave It To Beaver! Naturally Tommy tells me the story of how he met Cheech Marin, and the genesis of their very first recorded comedy sketch. All along the way, we chat about various fun things; from the T.actical W.omen's A.lert T.eam, to Basketball Jones, to prison and bunking with Jordan Belfort. Tommy let's me play their biggest Motown hit, and explains how he had a hand in getting Jordan Belfort to write the book that the movie The Wolf Of Wallstreet was based on. We also talk about a new 'At Home Weed Delivery Service', NFT's, spirituality, and a whole lot more! Plus, I share some Cheech & Chong stories from my youth. Follow Tommy on social media: Twit: @TommyChong Insta: @HeyTommyChong

Debora Masterson - Author (Freedom Quest: A Love Story)

Debora Masterson Take a walk with me down Fascination Street as I get to know Debora Masterson. Debora is an author who just released her debut novel! 'Freedom Quest: A Love Story' follows the story of Grace and Michael who fall in love in the mid 1960s, break up, get back together, and some bits of the incredible life that happens to them during the space between. This book is roughly 85% true according to the author. The character of Grace is Debora, and the character of Michael is Craig. Debora's real life soul mate Craig Ingraham was a musical phenom and a prolific songwriter. He also lost his way, fell into some rough circumstances, and even unwittingly joined a cult! This book is a wild ride. There are drugs, mayhem, love, loss, cults, music, dancing, and even some famous people. Available wherever you get books, 'Freedom Quest: A Love Story' is also in the process of being turned into an audiobook. There is also a companion Spotify playlist which has songs from the actual band Freedom Quest, recorded back in the early 1970s. In this episode, Debora shares some of her personal reasons for writing this book, some of the fun times between her and her soul mate, and some of the stuff that didn't quite make the book. We also take a bit of a dive into her experiences with transcendental meditation (TM), and even a local historical landmark that she helped save. Buy the book, listen to the playlist, and check out the short documentary that she & Craig made to honor their fallen friend in Vietnam.