288: Humor, Recovery, and the World of Playwriting with Gregg Ostrin
b'Gregg Ostrin, the brilliant playwright behind "The Spy Who Went Into Rehab," shares his incredible journey of recovery, maintaining sobriety since 1987, and how his personal experiences inspired his writing. Duane sits down with Gregg to discuss his fascinating career transition from acting to writing, his impressive work in film and television marketing, and his triumphant return to playwriting. The conversation takes a humorous turn as they explore the concept of his latest play that reimagines a James Bond-like character grappling with addiction and anger management issues, shedding light on the cultural implications of addiction through the lens of a spy character.\\nThey also tackle the challenges of producing original plays in smaller theaters, especially in Los Angeles, where revivals of well-known works often take center stage. Gregg shares valuable insights on attracting audiences to new plays and the impact of critical reviews. They reflect on how his play resonates with both the recovery community and those outside it, using familiar spy movie tropes to craft a narrative that connects with all generations. Join Duane and Gregg for this engaging episode that blends comedy, cultural commentary, and the profound journey of recovery.\\nIn this episode, you will hear:\\n\\nReimagining James Bond in rehab\\n\\nExploring personal history and freedom\\n\\nThe challenges of producing original plays in smaller theaters\\n\\nConsumer culture and its pervasive influence on our behaviors and choices\\n\\nNostalgic movie tropes in modern culture\\n\\nFollow and Review:\\nWe\\u2019d love for you to follow us if you haven\\u2019t yet. Click that purple \'+\' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We\\u2019d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select \\u201cRatings and Reviews\\u201d and \\u201cWrite a Review\\u201d then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.\\nSupporting Resources:\\nhttps://pacificresidenttheatre.org/the-spy-who-went-into-rehab/\\nNovusMindfulLife.com\\nEpisode Credits\\nIf you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.\\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices'