Fourth Row Center is the best seat in the house for all things theater.
Join hosts Keith Shannon and his daughter Kara as they share news and information from the theater world, all the way from the biggest Broadway hits the to the latest happenings in community theater across the country. Along the way, they'll interview the people that make theater happen, both onstage and behind the scenes. Plus, you'll get a glimpse of Kara's journey as a newly-minted professional actress, complete with college degree in theater performance.
So take your seat and settle in for a great performance. It's curtain time, and you are Fourth Row Center!
Episode 13 - Back Again for the Very First Time — Celebrating Eileen Barnett
Kara and Keith are opening the vault for a special reason. In honor of Eileen Barnett's upcoming one‑woman show, Back Again for the Very First Time, at the Laurie Beechman Theater in New York City on Tuesday, October 6, they're re‑publishing one of their favorite conversations with her.
In this encore episode, Eileen shares stories from her remarkable career spanning Broadway and television—how she found her voice onstage, the roles that shaped her, and the moments that reminded her why she loves performing. Kara and Keith dig into the craft, the discipline, and the joy behind Eileen's work, and Eileen offers the kind of insight only a performer who has truly lived it can give.
Whether you're discovering this interview for the first time or revisiting it with fresh anticipation for her new show, this episode is a celebration of Eileen's artistry, resilience, and the excitement of seeing her step into the spotlight once again.
14 Jun 2026
Episode 12: The Tony Awards - Kara Was In The Room Where It Happens
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 break down what Kara saw in the rehearsal versus what made it into the live broadcast. Keith wants to know everything—how the energy felt in the room, what surprised her, and whether the rehearsal or the broadcast captured the true spirit of the Tonys.
It's a funny, affectionate, and theatre‑nerdy conversation about the magic of live performance, the meticulous craft behind an awards show, and the joy of seeing Broadway from both the orchestra seats and the wings.
3 Jun 2026
Episode 11: "Get Off My Lawn!" Too Grumpy For Jukebox Musicals?
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 make a dramatic exit halfway through Dancing Queen. Kara presses him on whether his issue is with the genre itself or with the way some shows use familiar songs as narrative shortcuts. Keith insists he's not a jukebox snob… but Kara isn't convinced.
Together, they unpack the appeal of nostalgia‑driven storytelling, the craft behind weaving pre‑existing hits into a coherent plot, and the difference between a jukebox musical that feels like a celebration and one that feels like a playlist with choreography.
It's a lively, funny, and surprisingly thoughtful look at a genre that continues to pack houses—even if Keith occasionally walks out of them.
What's your take on jukebox musicals? Drop us a note at fourthrowcenter@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @fourthrowcenter .
26 Oct 2025
Episode 10: Stage Fright - A Look At The Scary Side of Plays, Movies and TV
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 way (with flickering candlabra in hand, of course) through the haunted corridors of film and television to find shows that borrow theatrical flair to deliver maximum chills, from terrifying fare like The Evil Dead to equally terrifying (but not as bloody) tv episodes like The Haunting of Hill House.
So join us in our journey.
Curtain up . . . if you dare.
4 Jan 2024
Episode Nine - The 2023 Year-End Theatre Roundup
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 Fourthrowcenterpodcast@gmail.com .
29 May 2023
Episode Seven: Special Guest - Broadway, Television & Cabaret Star Eileen Barnett/Latest Info On National Tours With Keith & Kara
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 Fourthrowcenter@gmail.com or follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @fourthrowcenter.
23 Sept 2022
Episode Six: Catching Up With Keith & Kara/Special Guest - Sam Bittman, Producer of the Third Act Project Website
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 Fourthrowcenter@gmail.com or follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @fourthrowcenter.
9 Mar 2022
Episode Five - Special Guest Amanda McDonough
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!
20 May 2021
Episode Four - Special Guest - Broadway's Sara Jean Ford
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 fourthrowcenter@gmail.com .
5 Sept 2020
Episode 3 - Getting Your Theatre Fix When There's No Theatre
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.
14 Jun 2019
Fourth Row Center Podcast - Episode Two
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.
6 Jun 2019
Episode 1 – Intros & Tony Talk
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.
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