Fourth Row Center Podcast

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!

Fourth Row Center Podcast is a arts podcast hosted by Keith Shannon, with 10 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Keith Shannon hosts Fourth Row Center Podcast, a arts show with 10 episodes published.

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  Fourth Row Center Podcast

  Episode 13 - Back Again for the Very First Time — Celebrating Eileen Barnett

  Oct 3, 202650 min

  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.

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  Episode #12

  Episode 12: The Tony Awards - Kara Was In The Room Where It Happens

  Jun 14, 202654 min

  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.

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  Fourth Row Center Podcast

  Episode 11: "Get Off My Lawn!" Too Grumpy For Jukebox Musicals?

  Jun 3, 202641 min

  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 .

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  Fourth Row Center Podcast

  Episode 10: Stage Fright - A Look At The Scary Side of Plays, Movies and TV

  Oct 26, 20251h 3m

  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.

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  Episode #9

  Episode Nine - The 2023 Year-End Theatre Roundup

  Jan 3, 202423 minS1

  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."

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