The Roundtable with Robert Bannon

Today on The Roundtable with Robert Bannon, we welcome actors SLee and Ryan Avoux to talk about their hilarious, high-energy new show VAPE — a wild, modern parody of Grease that turns the iconic musical on its head. Filled with ridiculous characters, over-the-top comedy, sharp pop-culture twists, and a wink at the high-school musicals we all grew up on, VAPE brings nostalgia and chaos together in...

Today on The Roundtable with Robert Bannon, we welcome composer, lyricist, and musician Greta Gertler Gold to talk about her haunting and atmospheric new musical, Picnic At Hanging Rock. Adapted from the iconic Australian novel, Greta’s version transforms the mysterious disappearance at the heart of the story into a lush, psychological, musically rich world. Her work blends folk, classical, and th...

Today on The Roundtable with Robert Bannon, we welcome director-choreographer Kristen Brooks Sandler, the creative force behind the reimagined family production My First Nutcracker coming to New York City. Kristen, known for her dynamic movement storytelling and innovative approach to theatre, brings a fresh, joyful spin to the beloved holiday classic. Her new staging is designed especially for yo...

In this episode of The Roundtable with Robert Bannon, I sit down with award-winning actor Melina Farahani, whose bold new performance in Blackbird at Theatre Row finds her navigating a haunting role steeped in memory and moral complexity. With a background in both London and Los Angeles, and fluency in English and Farsi, Melina brings a unique intensity and global perspective to a story that reson...

What a joy to welcome viral sensation Debbie Wileman back to The Roundtable with Robert Bannon! With millions of views and fans around the globe, Debbie has become beloved for her uncanny, heartfelt tributes to Judy Garland — and now she’s giving us the gift we didn’t know we needed: a Judy-style Christmas album that is pure holiday magic. In our chat, Debbie shares the inspiration behind the reco...

Global icon Sheena Easton joins The Roundtable for a joyful, wide-ranging conversation celebrating one of the most remarkable careers in pop history. With 20 million records sold, two Grammy Awards, and a catalog that shaped entire generations, Sheena reflects on her rise from Scotland to worldwide superstardom. We revisit the hits, the era-defining videos, and the legendary collaborations — from...

Visionary filmmaker Jon M. Chu flies back to the Roundtable to celebrate the long-awaited release of Wicked: For Good, the sweeping cinematic finale to his two-part Oz saga. Jon breaks down how he expanded the world of Oz, deepened Elphaba and Glinda’s emotional arc, and honored the iconic Broadway roots while building something boldly new for the screen. From reuniting with Cynthia Erivo and Aria...

Grammy and Tony-winning legend Brenda Russell drops by The Roundtable to talk about her gorgeous new single “You Know What It’s Like,” her first new music in years and a silky, Brazilian-flavored reminder of why her songs live rent-free in our hearts. We dig into the story behind the track—co-written with the iconic Roberta Flack—and how it connects to her upcoming album Songpainter, her first ful...

In this heart-hugging holiday chat, we welcome the wonderful Vivian Bayubay McLaughlin, beloved from Disney’s Out of the Box and a longtime favorite in children’s theatre and musical education. Vivian joins us to celebrate her return to the stage as Ma Otter in Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas at OFC Creations. She shares why this show has been part of her family’s holiday tradition f...

Jimmie Herrod — the powerhouse vocalist who stopped the nation in its tracks on America’s Got Talent — joins The Roundtable to celebrate the release of his brand-new album. With a voice that soars from velvet-soft storytelling to jaw-dropping high notes, Jimmie opens up about the creative journey behind the project, the music that shaped him, and the deeply personal stories woven throughout these...

Today on The Roundtable, we welcome Cultivated Collective, the phenomenal new gospel super-group bringing together the extraordinary talents of David Bratton, Shontelle Norman-Beatty, Lamont Sanders, and Anisa Fowler. Each artist has carved out an incredible solo path—from David’s award-winning songwriting legacy (“Every Praise”) to Shontelle’s powerhouse vocals, Lamont’s chart-topping inspiration...

Tonight, The Roundtable takes you directly to the sparkling red carpet of Le Gala de l’Alliance 2025, where Adrienne Garzillo is talking with global superstar Angèle and an elite lineup of French chefs, singers, actors, and cultural icons. From high-fashion entrances to major artistic moments, Adrienne captures the excitement, elegance, and creative spirit that define this world-class celebration....

Obie Award–winning playwright and songwriter Ethan Lipton drops by to talk about The Seat of Our Pants, his wildly imaginative new musical at The Public Theater. Inspired by Thornton Wilder’s The Skin of Our Teeth, the show follows the unstoppable Antrobus family as they survive ice ages, floods, monsters, and modern chaos with humor, heart, and a whole lot of resilience. Ethan dives into how this...

Today, the one and only Billy Zane steps into The Roundtable for a conversation that’s equal parts thrilling, thoughtful, and wildly entertaining. From becoming a global blockbuster icon in Titanic to redefining villainy in The Phantom and Dead Calm, Billy’s career has covered every corner of Hollywood. Now he’s back with Deadly Vows, a dark, stylish new thriller that shows off his signature inten...

Ariel Estrada and Đavid Lee Huỳnh stop by The Roundtable to take us inside WINTERFEST, Leviathan Lab’s bold upcoming celebration of Asian American storytelling. Ariel walks us through Full Contact, his gripping new solo work receiving an NNPN NYC Rolling World Premiere. From confronting a high-control cult to navigating Filipino American identity, faith, trauma, and the memory of his father, Ariel...

Today we’re celebrating the vibrant artistry of Cedric Leiba Jr.—actor, writer, educator, and powerhouse performer—whose work blends Puerto Rican culture, movement, music, and storytelling. Cedric takes us inside the world of Baile Cangrejero, the electrifying new piece at Pregones/PRTT that celebrates community, identity, resilience, and the rhythms that move us. From its fusion of bomba, contemp...

Get ready for an evening of holiday magic as rising star Kirsten Bleu Kaiser joins us to celebrate the national tour of A Christmas Story, The Musical! She brings warmth, wit, and nostalgia to the role of “Mother” in this festive favorite — now touring the country and stopping at Detroit’s iconic Fox Theatre this weekend! From the Red Ryder BB-gun and the infamous leg lamp to pink bunny pajamas an...

The one and only Lesley Ann Warren joins us to celebrate 40 years of “Clue,” the beloved cult classic that turned murder and mystery into pure comedy gold! Lesley reflects on her unforgettable role as Miss Scarlet, shares behind-the-scenes stories from filming with the legendary ensemble cast, and talks about the enduring fan love that keeps the movie alive—now being honored with a special anniver...

DeeAnn joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to talk all about her new music, her evolution as an artist, and the passion that drives her unmistakable sound. From her reimagined take on Al Green’s classic “Simply Beautiful” to her powerful new rendition of “Piano in the Dark” — DeeAnn opens up about collaborating with producer Ted Perlman, blending jazz, R&B, and soul, and finding her true voice...

Christine Andreas and Marty Silvestri join me for a passionate conversation about their collaborative project The Beat of a Wandering Heart — a musical journey through love, loss, and the enduring rhythm of the human spirit. Christine brings her unmistakable Broadway presence, and Marty adds his rich perspective as composer and arranger, together creating something intimate, elegant, and deeply mo...

Deborah Unger joins us to talk about her bold and deeply personal solo show THE LONGER MY MOTHER IS DEAD, THE MORE I LIKE HER. After years in development, the piece dives into the complex, funny, and emotional relationship between a mother and daughter — and the unexpected clarity that can come with loss. It’s raw, reflective, and full of heart, bringing humor to the hardest truths about love, gri...

Director Rachel Wolther joins us to talk about her clever and chaotic new film The French Italian. After premiering to great buzz at Tribeca, this debut feature has everyone talking — from its sharp wit to its hilarious look at New York neighbors, theater dreams, and the messy art of revenge. Rachel opens up about her inspiration, her love for storytelling, and what it means to finally see her vis...

Actor, writer, and advocate Jamie Sanders joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to talk about his latest project, Initiative, a world-premiere play at The Public Theater written by Else Went and directed by Emma Rosa Went. Jamie stars as Tony in this bold new story that explores identity, connection, and the courage to show up fully as yourself—both on and off the stage. A passionate voice for t...

Gospel powerhouse and multiple Stellar Award winner VaShawn Mitchell joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to celebrate his milestone 30 years in gospel music and the release of his brand-new album, SOUNDCHECK. Known for timeless hits like “Nobody Greater” and “Turning Around for Me,” VaShawn opens up about his journey of faith, creativity, and consistency in the ever-changing world of gospel. H...

Steven LaBrie joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon for a powerful and personal conversation about music, opera, and the magic of performing with Il Divo. One of the most dynamic baritones of his generation, Steven has sung on the great stages of the world—from the Metropolitan Opera to international concert halls—and now brings that same passion to audiences across continents with Il Divo’s sig...