The Roundtable with Robert Bannon

The incredible Joaquina Kalukango is back at The Roundtable! The Tony Award–winning powerhouse returns to talk about her moving and magnetic performance in Saturday Church at New York Theatre Workshop. In this heartfelt chat, Joaquina opens up about portraying Aunt Rose — a character full of faith, love, and resilience — and how this story, blending gospel, house, and community, speaks to the powe...

Sam White joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to celebrate the groundbreaking work of Shakespeare in Detroit! — the company she founded to bring the Bard’s words to life in the Motor City’s most unexpected places. From outdoor performances in parks and factories to reimagined classics staged in iconic Detroit landmarks, Sam has built a movement that fuses art, accessibility, and community prid...

Olivia Levine joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to talk about her fearless and funny new solo show UNSTUCK, now playing at SoHo Playhouse. In this deeply personal and sharply written piece, Olivia dives into life with obsessive-compulsive disorder — not the pop-culture version, but the intrusive thoughts, real fears, and the complicated humor that come with it. Directed by Molly Rose Heller,...

Broadway favorite Chilina Kennedy and writer Jeffrey Scharf join The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to talk all about Reunions, the brand-new musical opening October 24th at New York City Center Stage II. With book and lyrics by Scharf, music by Jimmy Calire, and direction by Gabriel Barre, Reunions intertwines two timeless one-acts — The Twelve Pound Look by J.M. Barrie and A Sunny Morning by the...

Legendary crooner Freddie Jackson takes a seat at The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to celebrate a lifetime of timeless music and enduring soul. From unforgettable classics like “You Are My Lady” and “Rock Me Tonight” to his decades of chart-topping hits, Freddie opens up about his journey through R&B history, the stories behind the songs, and what continues to drive his passion for performing. As...

The incomparable Faith Evans joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon for a heartfelt, soulful conversation about music, legacy, and purpose. From her chart-topping classics like “Love Like This” and “Soon as I Get Home” to her Grammy-winning collaborations, Faith opens up about her journey through decades of R&B history and what keeps her inspired as an artist, writer, and producer. In this powerf...

Today on The Roundtable with Robert Bannon, we sit down with the powerhouse writer, producer, and entrepreneur Stephanie Garvin to talk about her inspiring new business ventures and creative journey. From building production companies like ETM Pictures and Hollywood Expansion Corporation to creating heartfelt, family-centered films like Holiday Twist, Stephanie has carved a remarkable path that bl...

Today on The Roundtable with Robert Bannon, we dive into the thrilling world of A Sulfur Bottom with the talented trio — Liana Runcie, Kevin Richard Best, and Joyah Dominique! This bold new production takes audiences on a thought-provoking ride through family, identity, and survival, told with heart, humor, and haunting beauty. The cast joins us to unpack the story’s depth, their powerful performa...

Today on The Roundtable with Robert Bannon, we’re joined by two theater legends — Austin Pendleton and Bradford Cover — to explore Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream through the lens of The Resident Acting Company. Pendleton, a Tony-nominated actor and director, and Cover, the company’s founding artistic director, share their passion for the Bard, their process in bringing this timeless comed...

Today on The Roundtable with Robert Bannon, we’re diving into presidential history—with a groove! Creator and composer Eli Bauman joins us to talk about “44,” the musical celebration inspired by President Barack Obama. Blending politics, pop culture, and punchy humor, the show reimagines the Obama years through music and heart—reminding us why that era still resonates so deeply. Robert and Eli tal...

It’s game time at The Roundtable with Robert Bannon! Basketball legends Cherelle “Torch” George and Rochell “Wham” Middleton stop by to celebrate the 100th anniversary tour of The Harlem Globetrotters — a century of hoops, humor, and heart. From dazzling trick shots to inspiring communities around the world, Torch and Wham share what it means to carry on the Globetrotters’ legacy of excellence and...

Get ready for some serious pop nostalgia! Jeff Timmons — founding member of the multi-platinum group 98 Degrees — joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon for a fun and heartfelt chat. From boy band memories and massive hits to his evolution as a solo artist, producer, and performer, Jeff opens up about the music, the fans, and the passion that still drives him today. We also talk about 98 Degrees’...

Today on The Roundtable with Robert Bannon, we’re joined by a powerhouse cast bringing Shakespeare’s King Richard II to thrilling new life. Michael Urie, Ron Canada, Emily Swallow, Grantham Coleman, and Lux Pascal sit down to explore their bold new production — one that reimagines the classic tale of power, loyalty, and loss for today’s world. With this ensemble of acclaimed actors, the conversati...

Alt-pop artist Ariana and the Rose joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to celebrate the release of her brand-new album—an emotional, euphoric journey that blends synth-pop shimmer with raw, confessional storytelling. Known for her electrifying live shows and intergalactic aesthetic, Ariana opens up about creating music that invites listeners to dance, dream, and feel everything all at once. In...

Vocal powerhouse, coach, and recording artist Stevie Mackey joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon for a soulful and inspiring chat about music, mentorship, and the magic of Taco Tuesday! From coaching icons like Jennifer Lopez, Selena Gomez, and Lenny Kravitz to creating the viral Sing Series and his star-studded jam sessions that bring everyone together over songs and tacos, Stevie is a true ma...

Acclaimed New York actor and producer Neeraja Ramjee joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to talk about her powerful one-woman performance in Broken Images, coming to Paradise Factory Theater this November. Written by the legendary Girish Karnad and directed by Susanna Jaramillo, this psychological thriller explores ambition, identity, and the blurred lines between truth and illusion—all brough...

Today on The Roundtable, country music artist Buck McCoy joins us to share the incredible story behind his career and his breakout moment on Netflix. Known for his soulful voice, heartfelt songwriting, and dynamic performances, Buck has built a loyal following in Nashville and beyond. Now, with his single “Paris Texas Man” featured in the new Netflix romantic comedy The Wrong Paris, he’s reaching...

In this powerful conversation, we welcome Broadway favorite Willy Falk, playwright William Spatz, and director Randy White to The Roundtable to dive into their new play, Truman vs. Israel. The play examines the historic decisions of President Harry S. Truman in 1948 as he weighed the recognition of the State of Israel, exploring the political, moral, and human stakes that shaped a turning point in...

Get ready for laughter and legendary stories as the one and only Rita Rudner joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon! With her trademark wit and timeless comedic style, Rita has been making audiences laugh for decades on stage, on screen, and on the page. She stops by to talk about her celebrated career and her highly anticipated upcoming shows at 54 Below, where she’ll once again light up the sta...

On this episode of The Roundtable with Robert Bannon, Dylan Mulvaney steps into the spotlight to talk about her brand-new Off-Broadway solo show, The Least Problematic Woman in the World. The one-woman musical comedy, born at the Edinburgh Fringe and now opening at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, blends music, camp, and razor-sharp wit to tell Dylan’s story in her own voice — and she’s bringing all of...

This week on The Roundtable with Robert Bannon, we welcome the extraordinary Jamie Allan, the visionary magician behind Amaze, now playing in New York. After acclaimed runs in London’s West End and Chicago, Jamie brings a show that fuses high-tech illusion, personal storytelling, and old-school conjuring to the Off-Broadway stage. In our conversation, Jamie takes us behind the scenes of Amaze—how...

Today on The Roundtable with Robert Bannon, we sit down with the talented Chris Giarmo, the creative force behind the solo project Boys Don’t Fight. Known for his work as a performer, composer, and collaborator, Chris has carved out a unique space where music, identity, and storytelling intersect. His songs explore vulnerability, self-discovery, and the power of authenticity in a way that resonate...

Today on The Roundtable with Robert Bannon, we welcome the one and only France Joli! Bursting onto the scene at just 16 years old with her disco anthem “Come to Me,” France became an overnight sensation and a beloved voice of an era. With her powerful vocals and timeless charm, she carved out a space in music history that continues to resonate with fans around the world. In this conversation, Fran...

Today on The Roundtable with Robert Bannon, we sit down with powerhouse director and producer Sue Wolf, who is taking the theater world by storm. With not one, not two, but five productions headed to stages in New York City and Los Angeles, Sue is proving what happens when vision, passion, and artistry collide. From the rehearsal rooms to the big stage, her projects span genres and styles, making...

Toni Nagy is not your typical comedian. With a philosophy degree, a filmmaker’s eye, and an interpretive dancer’s flair, Toni has built a career creating hilarious, thought-provoking content that has reached millions. From winning “Best New Talent” at the Broadway Comedy Club to directing award-winning films and sketches, she has proven that comedy can be smart, fearless, and deeply original. Now...