Fourth Row Center Podcast

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. 

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 fourthrowcenter@gmail.com . 

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.