August 11, 2023

CBS Radio Mystery Theater

CBS Radio Mystery Theater

In 1974 long-time radio producer Himan Brown convinced CBS to green-light a new anthology of Radio Dramas, CBS Radio Mystery Theater (CBSRMT). Radio shows from the golden era of broadcasting are part of ” Old Time Radio “, or “otr.” During the Golden Age of Radio, listeners gathered by their radio to enjoy their favorite radio programs. Radio Mystery Theater (1974-82) was a resurgence of the nostalgia of those radio days. CBS Radio Mystery Theater was meant to appeal to an audience that remembered when old time radio drama was a popular form of family entertainment. Riding on the wave of nostalgia fever, the radio show attracted many younger listeners who would stay up late, hidden under their covers to hear the program on their bedroom radio (and many of them were not able to go to sleep after listening to the…

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September 30, 2022

“Neon Shadows: A Noir Tale”

“Neon Shadows: A Noir Tale”

Presenting “Neon Shadows: A Noir Tale,” by Ian Knowles / Blunderbust Studios. Murder! Mystery! Tragedy! Private investigator Frank Dixon solves the dark secrets of a city in turmoil! An easy going war vet and gumshoe has his life turned upside down when a simple case sets fantastic events into motion. Meet Frank and Dusty as they stumble on to a case that may be more than they bargained for.*** WE SUGGEST LISTENING WITH HEADPHONES FOR MAXIMUM IMMERSION! *** A darkness rises. Frank runs out of clues and hits the street. After saving Sam, Frank finally catches a break. Neon Shadows: A Noir Tale Series Cast:Frank Dixon, extras- Ian KnowlesDusty Willis, Jonah Carver, extras- Dan FaulknerLady James, Cordelia Amsel, extras- Amber WrenUlysses, extras- Sean GoodrichDetective Joe Sutton, extras- Tyler BrownRadio / TV news anchor, extras- Logan LenkowskiSam, extras-…

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September 2, 2022

“Dirt” by Kristopher Kaylala

“Dirt” by Kristopher Kaylala

Welcome back Fiction Cafe Listeners! This week we’re covering “Dirt” by Kristopher Kaylala. A strange letter. An impossible sender. Secrets hidden in the ground. From STUDIO5705, a scripted fiction podcast set in present-day Washington State about a man’s journey to unlock a family mystery—and find things long ago buried. This lunch has taken a weird turn. Dirt – An Audio Drama is a production of STUDIO5705 and is written, directed, and produced by Kristopher Kaiyala. Ch. 1 features Genie Leslie as Kim, Sho Ito as Kenji, Price and Parker Brooking as Kim and Kenji’s kids, and Kristopher Kaiyala as Joseph. An early Halloween gift…you must be joking. Dirt – An Audio Drama is a production of STUDIO5705 and is written, directed, and produced by Kristopher Kaiyala. Ch. 2 features Ila Das as Ila, Cindy Siler…

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October 2, 2020

Harlan Guthrie Presents “Malevolent,” An Audio Drama

Harlan Guthrie Presents “Malevolent,” An Audio Drama

“Malevolent” is an H.P. Lovecraft-esque thriller audio drama by Harlan Guthrie. Arkham Private Investigator, Arthur Lester wakes up with no memory of who he is, with a strange, eerie voice to guide him through the darkness. Blind, terrified, and confused, his journey begins with a series of mysteries to solve: How is he going to navigate the world without the use of his sight? What was he doing before he lost his memory? And how is he going to stay alive long enough to figure out what happened? Malevolent follows Arkham Investigator Arthur Lester as he unravels the mysterious circumstances that have befallen him. In part 2 Arthur encounters a mysterious girl who sets him on a path to finding her. . .though that path may be a dark and treacherous one.  During this final…

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June 26, 2020

“Neon Nights: The Arcane Files of Jack Tracer,” Audio Drama

“Neon Nights: The Arcane Files of Jack Tracer,” Audio Drama

From the writer’s desk of Rachel Craig and Will Snyder comes Neon Nights: The Arcane Files of Jack Tracer, a hard-boiled private eye with a taste for mystery and a thirst for justice. Alone he stands in the moras of life that is the city of Neon Nights, ready to fight those who live within the shadows. In this first episode, Jack Tracer is hired by a young woman who asks him to investigate the strange behavior of her younger brother. Jack meets a beautiful femme fatale named Red and togather they uncover a dark secret! In this second episode, Jack and Red have begun their investigation of Nicholas Rothschild, interviewing both his mother, Lydia Rothschild, and his professor, Thomas Cardella, who also happens to be an old beau of Red’s. Nick on the other…

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June 3, 2020

“The Outing,” A Short Story by Lee Marc Stein

“The Outing,” A Short Story by Lee Marc Stein

They found his body at 5:00 am at the bottom of the stairs leading down from the sports deck to the pool. Claire Warner hears the announcement at 8:00 in her stateroom as she is curling her hair. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain. As some of you may already know, the body of our distinguished guest lecturer, Francesco Carlucci, was found this morning by our First Officer Paul Cornelius. We are guessing that Professor Carlucci missed a step, fell down the flight and hit his head. When we reach port in 30 minutes, an official Medical Examiner will come onboard to determine the actual cause of death. We promise to keep you informed.” Her husband was doing laps around the sports deck now. With the iPod blasting in his ear, he probably didn’t…

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January 11, 2020

Decoder Ring Theater is Back!

Decoder Ring Theater is Back!

Hello! The name’s Fink, Ruby Fink, Fictional Café’s Audio Arts Barista. Every 365 days there’s a strange tradition – for Earth’s population to cozy up with friends, watch a ball drop in New York City from the comfort of their homes, and make enough toasts to ensure the previous year is a hazy blur of memories. It’s human nature I suppose, to try and wipe out the worst of the old, in order to replace that with hope for the new. New diet and exercise plans, the promotion you’ve been hoping for, maybe dreams of a romance or two for those who are single and available . . . or at least aren’t attached enough to their current partner to remain exclusive. At this time of the New Year, change is not only accepted but…

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August 17, 2019

“Juno Steel,” A Great New Audio Arts Adventure

“Juno Steel,” A Great New Audio Arts Adventure

We’re delighted to introduce Penumbra Podcasts to Fictional Cafe – especially upon learning we’re all more-or-less Boston creative types. Penumbra is making truly excellent podcasts, or audio arts as we like to call them because that term brings out the multiple dimensions of this work: excellent scripts, high-quality studio recording and mixing, and really delightful foley work (sound effects to you listeners). But let’s hear what the Penumbra people have to say for themselves: “We’ve always loved stories, whether they be science fiction, swashbucklers, high fantasy, horror, or mystery. We grew up passionately reading, watching movies and TV, and playing video games. But eventually we started to notice that a lot of the stories we consumed were the same ones over and over again, and we got tired of it. “Why did every boy and…

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July 27, 2019

“Dixon and Sparks” – A Great New Audio Arts Adventure from ZBS

“Dixon and Sparks” – A Great New Audio Arts Adventure from ZBS

It’s always a pleasure to welcome ZBS back to the Fictional Cafe, and tonight is no exception. For your listening delight, we present all eight episodes of “The Night Has Begun,” a Dixon and Sparks radio drama. ZBS audio is very high quality, so headphones are recommended. We’re also very happy to display Genevieve Shapiro’s artistic talents in the featured image (so like a record album cover) here at FC again. Genevieve, in addition to her art for ZBS audio works, created the featured image for ten-year-old Joy Son’s very first published short story, “Princess Olivia.” Thank you for sharing your art with us, Genevieve! The story: Polly Parker believes someone has put a curse on her fiancé, Clifford Barnett. Clifford and his partner, Alan Hendrix, are what’s called headhunters — they find executives to run…

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June 15, 2019

“Six Cold Feet” The Saturday Night Podcast

“Six Cold Feet” The Saturday Night Podcast

We’re quite delighted to present a superb new podcast series tonight, “Six Cold Feet,” from the pen of J. M. “Josh” Donnelan, an Australian poet, novelist, and podcaster. This podcast is exceedingly well produced, with multiple character portrayals, sound effects, and narration. Headphones are highly recommended. Quite as captivating as if you were watching it on Netflix with your eyes closed, haha. ‘Six Cold Feet” is the story of a guy named River as he searches for his sister Harmony, who has suddenly and inexplicably (and painfully) disappeared. Herewith the first three episodes. If you like what you hear, visit the Six Cold Feet website and learn how/where to download all ten episodes, and listen to the author’s site recommendations at the close of each. Before, during or after you listen, take a moment to reflect…

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