Fourth Row Center Podcast

Kara didn't just watch the Tony Awards this year—she was in the room where it happens , attending the full dress rehearsal and getting a behind‑the‑scenes look at Broadway's biggest night. In this episode, she gives Keith the kind of insider scoop that makes him equal parts proud, jealous, and deeply confused about how many times a host has to practice walking down a staircase. Together, they brea...

When Keith leaves Mamma Mia! at intermission, Kara has questions—big ones. Did he bail because he can't stand jukebox musicals? Is he allergic to ABBA? Or is he just old and grumpy? In this episode, father‑daughter duo Keith and Kara dive into the surprisingly passionate world of jukebox musicals: why audiences adore them, why critics love to grumble about them, and why Keith apparently needed to...

In this chilling episode of Fourth Row Center, Keith and Kara dive into the chilling performances of some of the theater worlds most frightening shows. Whether it's the psychological dread of And Then There Were None, the gothic grandeur of Sweeney Todd , or the bloody chaos of  Carrie:The Musical , the stage has never been more sinister.  But the horror doesn't stop at the footlights. We lead the...

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, D...

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...

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 o...

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:...

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 pod...

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...

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.