Fourth Row Center Podcast

Join Keith and Kara as they give a quick summary of the shows they've seen over the past year, including "Six," "Come From Away," "Into The Woods," "To Kill A Mockingbird," "Shucked," "Once Upon A One More Time," "A Doll's House" and "Company." 

Is a middle school production of "Shrek" really better than the movie version of "Into The Woods"? Are Patty LaPone's tantrums real, or is she just a salty dame giving the public what it wants?

We tackle these issues - and, of course, more serious ones - as we welcome fellow podcasters and theater afionados Logan Keller and Sammie Purcell, hosts of the immensely successful theater podcast "Rate, Debate, Recreate." In this episode, Sammie and Logan nerd out with us about all things theater, and along the way they give us a behind the scenes look at their amazing podcast.  If you want more laughter, fun, and encyclopedic theatrical knowledge, check out Logan and Sammie's podcast, "Rate, Debate, Recreate," on Apple podcasts at https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/rate-debate-recreate/id1533333672 and on Spotify at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/logan-keller/support .

Please like and rate our podcast, and if you have comments, questions, or suggestions, feel free to drop us a line at [email protected] .

In this episode, we provide the latest info on major national tours of Broadway shows, and Kara takes Keith to task for not being more excited about Gavin Creel and Stephanie J. Block coming to Charlotte in "Into The Woods."  Our special guest is Broadway and television star Eileen Barnett, who tells us about getting her start in summer stock at the age of 15 in Chicago and eventually making it to Broadway in "Company" and "Nine." She also tells us about her successful television career as a regular on "Days of Our Lives" along with dozens and dozens of episodic t.v. roles, starting with "Happy Days" in the 1970's and continuing through the present day with recent appearances on "Criminal Minds" and "S.W.A.T." She also reminisces about "survival jobs" between theatre gigs when she was first starting out and gives Kara some valuable career advice for making it in New York.  As always, you can write to Keith and Kara at [email protected] or follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @fourthrowcenter. 

In this episode, we update you on Kara's latest adventures in New York, and we dissect the gender-swapped revival of Stephen Sondheim's "Company." Our special guest is writer, director and producer Sam Bittman, who tells us about the Third Act Project website - a collection of writing, music and musings on what it's like to realize your in the third act of life. He also lets us in on the origins of the "Five Wise Guys," video series, featuring wisdom and fun from five guys who are in their third act.  You can access it all at https://thirdactproject.com/ . As always, you can write to Keith and Kara at [email protected] or follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @fourthrowcenter. 

Join Keith and Kara as they catch you up on the up's and down's of her move to New York City and as they welcome special guest Amanda McDonough. 

Amanda McDonough is an experienced SAG/AFTRA actress, published author, and inspirational speaker who communicates fluently in English and American Sign Language. Amanda began acting professionally at the age of 4. Amanda’s recent acting credits include: Netflix's "Sweet Magnolia's," ABC's "Speechless," NBC’s “Bad Judge,” Freeform’s “Switched at Birth,” Chris Lilly’s Pilot series “Just Us Guys,” Deaf West/ Pasadena Playhouse’s “Our Town” and independent films such as “Keys,” “Listen,” and "Technicolor Aria.” Several of her films have gone on to show in various festivals, like her short film "Lady Electric" which showed at Cannes Film Festival. n 2018 Amanda McDonough became a published author. Her memoir, “Ready to be Heard: How I Lost My Hearing and Found My Voice,” details the true story of how Amanda became Deaf, fought for her independence, and found her purpose. She now also imparts her story of resilience and perseverance on audiences as a motivational speaker. 

To learn more about Amanda visit her website amanda-mcdonough.com, her book website ReadyToBeHeard.com, or her speaker website AmandaMcDonoughSpeaker.com!

Broadway is coming back! In this episode, we review some of the scheduled Broadway re-openings set for the fall and winter. 

We also chat with Broadway's Sara Jean Ford, who has starred as Christine in "Phantom of the Opera" and has had featured roles in "Finian's Rainbow," "How To Succeed In Business" and "Cats." You can follow Sara on Instagram at @sweetford.

Please like, rate and review the podcast, and feel free to follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @fourthrowcenter. If you have an idea for an upcoming segment, if you think you'd make a great guest, or if you just want to say hi, drop us an email at [email protected] . 

Help! We need theatre - any theatre!  Fear not: Keith and Kara give you valuable tips on where to find Broadway and theatre-related content from your computer, t.v. or your bookshelf.  Lots of laughter in this episode along with some discussion about whether the Disney+ broadcast of "Hamilton" is life-changing. 

We’ll talk with Mitch Douglas about his experience as a literary agent for over thirty years, representing some of the world’s major writers, including Tennessee Williams, Graham Greene, and Arthur Miller.

Also in this episode, you’ll hear about a writing team, known collectively as Jones Hope Wooten, who have collaborated to produce a catalog of 19 plays with over 5,700 productions and more than 40,000 performances worldwide.

In the premiere episode of Fourth Row Center, your hosts, attorney/educator/theater geek Keith Shannon and his actress daughter Kara, will introduce themselves and give you a cook’s tour of the podcast. They’ll also be talking 2019 Tony Awards – nominations, surprises and snubs.