BroadwayRadio: Special Episode Summary Featuring Kara Donnelly
Episode Information
- Title: Special Episode: Kara Donnelly on How Sharon Stone and Kelly Clarkson Helped Her Transition
- Host: Matt Tamnini
- Guest: Kara Donnelly, Writer, Performer, and Four-Time Emmy Award-Winning TV Producer
- Release Date: March 21, 2025
- Show Dates: April 5th, 7th, 15th, and 19th at The Wild Project, 2025 New York City Fringe
Introduction
In this special episode of BroadwayRadio, host Matt Tamnini engages in an intimate conversation with Kara Donnelly, a multifaceted talent known for her writing, performing, and Emmy-winning TV production. Kara introduces her new solo show, He Said, She Says, which delves into her profound journey of transitioning at the age of 63. The show is set to debut during the 2025 New York City Fringe Festival, with performances scheduled for April.
Sharon Stone: A Mentor and Catalyst
Kara begins by discussing her admiration for Sharon Stone, highlighting how their unexpected interaction became a pivotal moment in her transition journey.
Kara Donnelly [03:42]: "Sharon Stone is my mentor. Every origin story needs that sage, that mentor, and for me, Sharon embodies that role."
Sharon Stone's influence emerged during a virtual conversation amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, where they discussed the essence of being true to oneself. This dialogue significantly impacted Kara, reinforcing her decision to embrace her authentic identity.
Kara Donnelly [04:44]: "There was a wide-ranging discussion of being oneself and how hard it is, but it's worth it. That was unforgettable."
Kelly Clarkson: Opening Doors
Kara attributes a major turning point in her life to Kelly Clarkson, her boss, whose support provided the opportunity Kara needed to transition openly after decades of hesitation.
Kara Donnelly [13:28]: "If it wasn't for Kelly Clarkson, I would have spent another 34 years hiding. Moving the show to New York gave me the freedom to reinvent myself."
Kara emphasizes the significance of relocating to New York City, a hub of acceptance and reinvention, which facilitated a smoother transition compared to staying in Los Angeles.
Crafting He Said, She Says: From Journalist to Performer
Transitioning from her roles as a journalist and TV producer, Kara shares the challenges and rewards of creating a theatrical show. Unlike traditional writing, theater demands interactivity, altering the flow and rhythm of her storytelling.
Kara Donnelly [08:01]: "This is the first time I need to do something interactive. The writing is very different, but I enjoy the challenge."
Despite her initial nervousness about performing on stage, Kara finds solace in narrating her personal story, believing that authenticity eliminates fear.
Kara Donnelly [06:27]: "I'm telling this story I lived, so there's no wrong way to do it. There's nothing to fear because it's just my story."
Collaboration with Nancy Wilson: Enhancing the Show with Music
A notable highlight of Kara's show is the collaboration with Nancy Wilson of Heart, a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer. Their shared history and mutual respect culminated in Wilson creating original music for the performance.
Kara Donnelly [15:42]: "Nancy Wilson wrote a theme song for the show and helped with the writing. She volunteered her music to elevate awareness."
This partnership not only enriches the show's musical landscape but also leverages Nancy Wilson's fame to attract a broader audience.
Kara Donnelly [16:31]: "Nancy Wilson is doing it partially to get more people to come. Her support means a lot."
Addressing Curiosity and Educating the Audience
Kara discusses the recurring questions she faces about her transition, humorously dubbing them "Trans Bingo."
Kara Donnelly [11:30]: "When people hit five recurring questions, I mentally yell 'bingo.' It helps me recognize the common inquiries."
Her approach transforms repetitive questions into opportunities for education, aiming to demystify transgender experiences and foster understanding.
Kara Donnelly [09:21]: "I hope the show conveys the normality of being trans. People realize we're just like everyone else, which helps reduce fear and ignorance."
Audience Impact and Future Aspirations
Kara expresses her desire for a predominantly cisgender audience to attend her show, aiming to bridge gaps and dispel misconceptions about the transgender community.
Kara Donnelly [18:54]: "I want more cis people to attend because they often haven't met a trans person. It's about showing we're just like everyone else."
Looking ahead, Kara hopes to expand her show's reach beyond New York, potentially touring regions less familiar with transgender narratives to further education and acceptance.
Kara Donnelly [19:21]: "I want to take this into the belly of the beast, like Alabama, to educate and show that trans people are just like anyone else."
Conclusion
Throughout the episode, Matt Tamnini and Kara Donnelly explore themes of mentorship, courage, and transformation. Kara's journey, bolstered by influential figures like Sharon Stone and Kelly Clarkson, underscores the importance of support systems in personal transformation. Her new show, He Said, She Says, stands as a testament to her resilience and creativity, aiming to educate and entertain while fostering empathy and understanding.
Kara Donnelly [20:36]: "I really want to be on Fox News talking about it. I feel like I could be a better example of transness than Caitlyn Jenner."
As the conversation wraps up, Kara's enthusiasm and hope for the future shine through, promising a powerful and heartfelt performance that resonates with diverse audiences.
For those interested in experiencing Kara Donnelly's inspiring story live, tickets for He Said, She Says are available for purchase in the show notes.
Notable Quotes
- Kara Donnelly [03:42]: "Sharon Stone is my mentor. Every origin story needs that sage, that mentor..."
- Kara Donnelly [04:44]: "...a wide-ranging discussion of being oneself and how hard it is, but it's worth it."
- Kara Donnelly [13:28]: "If it wasn't for Kelly Clarkson, I would have spent another 34 years hiding."
- Kara Donnelly [08:01]: "This is the first time I need to do something interactive..."
- Kara Donnelly [15:42]: "Nancy Wilson wrote a theme song for the show and helped with the writing."
- Kara Donnelly [09:21]: "I hope the show conveys the normality of being trans."
- Kara Donnelly [18:54]: "I want more cis people to attend because they often haven't met a trans person."
- Kara Donnelly [20:36]: "I really want to be on Fox News talking about it..."
Tickets and Further Information
For more details and to purchase tickets to Kara Donnelly's He Said, She Says performances, please refer to the show notes provided in this episode.