The Roundtable with Robert Bannon

EGOT winner Rita Moreno joins me for a truly unforgettable milestone—my 1000th show. From her groundbreaking career across film, television, and Broadway to her powerful voice that continues to shape the industry, Rita reflects on a lifetime of artistry, resilience, and impact. This is more than a conversation—it’s a moment in entertainment history. We laugh, we reflect, and we celebrate what it m...

Joshua Sapan and Miranda Lee are here to talk about something truly special—the Marvels of Media Festival, a one-of-a-kind celebration of autistic and neurodivergent storytellers happening in NYC at the Museum of the Moving Image. Founded by Sapan and programmed by Lee, the festival showcases films, animation, virtual reality, and more—all created by neurodivergent artists pushing boundaries and r...

Star Stone is bringing her bold, fearless voice to the NYC Fringe Festival with Clt Cult*, a provocative and absurd solo show drawn from her real-life experience inside a sexual wellness cult. A NYU Tisch-trained performer and Edinburgh Fringe standout, Stone blends stand-up, storytelling, and musical comedy to unpack how empowerment language can mask deeper systems of control. The show dives into...

The collective behind Aura Gold is here, bringing a fresh, global sound that blends soul, R&B, and groove-heavy production into something completely their own. Led by producer Misha and powerhouse vocalist BeMyFiasco, this project is more than just an album—it’s a collaboration of cultures and creativity, with lush contributions from artists like Jussi Halme. Their latest release, Aura Gold, is a...

John Kevin Jones is here, and he’s diving deep into the dark, brilliant world of Edgar Allan Poe in Killing an Evening with Edgar Allan Poe! A master storyteller and commanding stage presence, Jones takes audiences on a haunting journey through Poe’s most iconic works—blurring the lines between performance, literature, and pure theatrical magic. From the rhythm of the poetry to the psychological i...

The cast and creatives of When Playwrights Kill join Robert Bannon for a starry conversation about the buzzworthy new comedy headed to The Huntington Theatre. Written by Matthew Lombardo and directed by Noah Himmelstein, the production features an all-star company including Tony Award winners Beth Leavel, Matt Doyle, and Marissa Jaret Winokur, alongside Broadway favorites Kevin Chamberlin, Adam He...

Alex Arlotta is here, and this is exactly what the Roundtable is all about—catching artists at the moment everything starts to click. His brand-new album Gotta Start Somewhere just dropped in February 2026, a 12-track project packed with collaboration, storytelling, and heart. From songs like “The Memories,” “Darlin’,” and “Don’t Say Goodbye,” Alex brings together a community of artists to create...

Andrew Keegan is here, and we are diving into the roles that made him a true ‘90s and 2000s heartthrob — from 7th Heaven to 10 Things I Hate About You and beyond. In this chat, Andrew looks back on the projects that made him a fan favorite, the pop culture legacy that still follows him, and the fascinating turns his career has taken over the years. We also get into the very public rumors surroundi...

She wowed audiences on Season 26 of The Voice, and now Aliyah Khaylyn is stepping into one of the most iconic roles in pop culture—Rachel Marron—in OFC Creations’ production of The Bodyguard: The Musical! Based on the smash-hit film with one of the most awarded soundtracks of all time, this production brings powerhouse vocals, high-stakes drama, and unforgettable music to the stage. We talk about...

She’s a face you know and a talent that defined a generation of TV lovers—Diana Uribe from California Dreams is stepping back into the spotlight and heading to New York City! Now, she’s bringing her star power to the stage in Cristi’s Case Crackers: Once Upon A Time On… Clarantino’s Pilot, appearing for two special performances only. We talk about her journey from iconic teen series fame to this e...

Choreographer extraordinaire Steph Paul joins me at The Roundtable to talk about her powerful work on My Joy Is Heavy, the moving theatrical experience created and performed by The Bengsons and directed by Rachel Chavkin. Known for her emotionally intelligent movement and storytelling through dance, Steph opens up about building physical language that carries grief, joy, memory, and resilience — a...

Four-time GRAMMY Award winner Deniece Williams joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon for an unforgettable conversation celebrating a career that has defined generations. From the tender emotion of “Silly” to the soaring inspiration of “Black Butterfly” and the chart-topping joy of “Let’s Hear It For The Boy,” Deniece’s voice has remained one of the most recognizable and beloved in music history....

Keith Robinson joins The Roundtable to talk about his newest single, Different Languages, a smooth and emotionally rich track that explores connection beyond words. Known for scene-stealing roles in Dreamgirls, A Million Little Things, and now Beyond the Gates, Keith has always balanced Hollywood polish with authentic R&B soul. This new release reminds us that music is his first language — and vul...

Beth is stepping up to The Roundtable and she is bringing the resume with her! After captivating audiences on The Voice, Beth went on to tour with powerhouse artists like Anita Baker and KEM, proving she belongs in the company of soul royalty. With a voice rooted in R&B, gospel, and storytelling, Beth has built a career that blends heart, hustle, and undeniable talent. Now, she’s entering a brand-...

Búi Đạm joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to talk about his moving documentary Birita, a deeply personal story about art, memory, and family. The film follows Đạm’s mother, acclaimed Faroese actress Birita Mohr, as she lives with Alzheimer’s disease, while he attempts to bring her back to the stage through a production of King Lear. It is an intimate and emotional look at what happens when p...

Aleksandr “Sasha” Molochnikov joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to talk about his daring and deeply personal theatrical event, Seagull: True Story, now at The Public Theater. Inspired by his own experience attempting to stage The Seagull in Russia during escalating political censorship, Molochnikov reimagines Chekhov’s classic through a bold, meta-theatrical lens. What unfolds is part satire...

On this episode of The Roundtable with Robert Bannon, we’re joined by ARKAI — the electro-acoustic string duo who are redefining what contemporary instrumental music can be. Composed of violinist Jonathan Miron and cellist Philip Sheegog, ARKAI blends classical technique with cinematic power and crossover energy that resonates far beyond genre lines. Their sophomore album Brightside won the Grammy...

Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Devon Gabriella joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to talk about her newest single, “Old Time’s Sake,” and the emotional storytelling that has quickly made her a rising voice in indie-pop. Since debuting in 2020, Devon has built a loyal following with vulnerable lyrics, cinematic melodies, and songs like “Bad Blood,” “Gasoline,” and her project The Garden....

Jazz has a new leading lady, and her name is Anaïs Reno. Already hailed as one of the most exciting young vocalists on the scene, Anaïs is adding another major milestone to her soaring career — a 2026 Bistro Award honoring her extraordinary artistry. With a voice that feels both timeless and refreshingly modern, she brings the Great American Songbook into the present moment while honoring the lege...

Detroit producer Adrian Tonon joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to talk about taking the heart of the 313 all the way to SXSW. On March 13 — yes, 3/13 — Tonon is leading a powerhouse Detroit showcase that highlights rising artists, hometown voices, and the undeniable sound of the Motor City. We talk about building platforms for independent artists, what it means to curate a showcase that rep...

Internationally acclaimed trio Il Volo return to The Roundtable as they kick off the North American leg of their massively successful World Tour, running April 15 through May 2 with stops in Los Angeles, Dallas, San Francisco, Denver — and right here in Detroit. Hailing from Italy, Il Volo — featuring Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto, and Gianluca Ginoble — first captured global attention as young...

Gilbert Domally joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon for a BroadwayWorld Exclusive conversation as he leads the national tour of The Lion King as Simba. Domally shares the inspiring journey that took him from Miami to the Broadway company of this legendary production and now across the country as the king of the Pride Lands. He reflects on the work, discipline, and heart it takes to step into o...

Jacob Tolliver joins The Roundtable to talk about the piano passion that took him from viral sensation to stages across the country — including his unforgettable run in Las Vegas portraying Jerry Lee Lewis in Million Dollar Quartet. Known for his explosive boogie-woogie style and rock ’n’ roll soul, Jacob shares what it was like stepping into the shoes of “The Killer,” honoring that legacy night a...

Adrienne hit the red carpet at the Astor Place Theatre for the Off-Broadway sensation Burnout Paradise, the wildly original theatrical phenomenon from Australian collective Pony Cam. Five performers. Four treadmills. One ticking clock. What unfolds is part comedy, part endurance sport, and part theatrical chaos — as the cast attempts to complete an escalating to-do list (yes, cooking a three-cours...

Michael Shaw Fisher joins The Roundtable to talk about the Off-Broadway premiere of The Amazing Sex Life of Rabbits, now playing at SoHo Playhouse as part of the International Fringe Encore Series. Fresh off its award-winning run at the Hollywood Fringe Festival, the play dives into a mysterious dinner between two couples that erupts into a sharp, provocative 21st-century class war. Michael breaks...