The Roundtable with Robert Bannon

Nora Sorena Casey and director Arthur Makaryan join me to talk about The Censorship of Dreams, a striking new theatrical work arriving at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club. The piece dives deep into the power of dreams—how they shape identity, challenge authority, and reveal truths we often try to suppress. Set against a world where imagination itself feels policed, the story asks what happens whe...

Chad King, one half of the Grammy-winning duo A Great Big World, is stepping into a deeply personal new chapter—and bringing his whole story with him. Known worldwide for the emotional hit “Say Something,” Chad opens up about his long journey living with multiple sclerosis, a diagnosis he’s carried since 2007. Over the years, the condition has impacted his strength, mobility, and even the way he p...

Fearless, unapologetic, and fully stepping into her truth, girli is entering a bold new chapter with her upcoming album “it’s just my opinion,” out May 8. Known for her electric mix of pop, punk, and radical self-expression, girli is leaning into her most honest and vulnerable work yet—blending heartbreak, identity, and empowerment into a sound that feels both chaotic and deeply personal. With sta...

From Glee to Dancing with the Stars and now the stage, Heather Morris joins Michael Mendez to talk about her exciting role in Eleven to Midnight. She opens up about stepping back into live performance, the challenges and thrill of theater, and how this new chapter pushes her creatively in ways fans haven’t seen before. It’s a candid, fun, and inspiring look at an artist continuing to evolve and ta...

Fresh out of the University of Michigan, rising talent Abigail Aziz is already making major moves—booking the national tour of SUFFS and stepping into a powerful story that’s taking the country by storm. In what feels like a whirlwind moment, Abigail goes from college training to a professional stage, bringing her passion, preparation, and purpose to a production that celebrates history, activism,...

Australian singer-songwriter Lenka is back and bringing her signature whimsical pop sound into a brand new era. With a new single, “Sunshine Girl,” and a forthcoming album on the way, Lenka is embracing a more personal, song-by-song release style after a career that’s already spanned six albums and global hits like “The Show.” Her music—featured everywhere from Grey’s Anatomy to Moneyball—continue...

Legendary Emmy-winning producer George Schlatter is here, and this is a masterclass in television history. The creative force behind groundbreaking shows like Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, Schlatter helped redefine what comedy on TV could be—fast, fearless, and culturally explosive. With over six decades in the business, dozens of iconic specials, and collaborations with everyone from Frank Sinatra t...

Emmanuelle Chriqui, Hayes MacArthur, and director John Asher are here to dive into their intimate new film A Love Like This—a romance that is anything but simple. Set over one emotionally charged weekend in Malibu, the film follows two lovers caught in a secret affair, trying to carve out a version of happiness while the real world threatens to break through. As the story unfolds, themes of desire...

Daphne Rubin-Vega is back at the table, bringing the honesty, artistry, and fire that have defined her career for decades. Best known for originating the role of Mimi in RENT and for her dynamic work across Broadway, film, and television, Daphne joins us to talk about her latest project, The Adding Machine, presented by The New Group. She shares what drew her to this haunting, thought-provoking pi...

Tony Award winner Marissa Jaret Winokur is here to talk all about her latest project, When Playwrights Kill, and the next exciting chapter in her already iconic career. Best known for her star-making performance as Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray, Marissa has remained a beloved force in entertainment, seamlessly moving between stage and screen. Now, she’s diving into this bold, comedic new work while...

Nikki Feirt Atkins, Randy Skinner & Riki Kane Larimer join The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to talk about the electrifying new NYC production of Gotta Dance!—a one-of-a-kind celebration of Broadway and Hollywood’s most iconic choreography. Conceived by Nikki Feirt Atkins and presented by Riki Kane Larimer, this thrilling stage event recreates legendary dance numbers from classics like West Side S...

Two-time Tony-nominated choreographer Ellenore Scott joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to talk about her incredible work bringing bold, dynamic movement to some of today’s most exciting productions. From the campy brilliance of Titanique to the sweeping storytelling of Ragtime, Ellenore shares how she approaches choreography as both narrative and emotion, shaping moments that audiences never...

Ned Van Zandt and Amir Arison are here, and this is one of those stories that feels almost too wild to be true—but it is. Lost in Del Valle is the gripping, genre-bending solo play written and performed by Van Zandt and directed by Arison, now making its New York run at SoHo Playhouse after a celebrated run at the Edinburgh Fringe. But what makes this conversation even better? These two go way bac...

Zhailon Levingston is here, and this one is for the theatre lovers who like their classics flipped, reimagined, and brought all the way into now. As a visionary director known for bold storytelling and unapologetic creativity, Zhailon is taking on Cats like you’ve never seen it before with “Cats: The Jellicle Ball.” We talk about what it means to reinterpret an iconic show, building a world that h...

Ali Louis Bourzgui is stepping into one of the most exciting theatrical moments of the season, bringing fresh energy to The Lost Boys as the iconic story takes on new life for the stage. Known for his magnetic presence and rising momentum in the theatre world, Ali joins us to talk about diving into this cult classic, what makes this version unique, and how he’s making the role his own. From the le...

Dean Taucher is here, and this one is for everyone who loves the magic behind the camera. A legendary production designer and scenic artist, Dean has helped shape the look of some of film and television’s most unforgettable projects, including Miami Vice, The Sopranos, and Law & Order: SVU. Now, after decades of creating iconic worlds for the screen and stage, he’s bringing those wild behind-the-s...

Nicole Travolta is here to talk about her critically acclaimed solo show Doing Alright, now playing at the SoHo Playhouse in New York. Blending stand-up, confessional storytelling, and transformational character work, the show dives into Nicole’s real-life journey—from credit card debt and spray-tanning survival jobs to heartbreak, ambition, and navigating the pressure of a famous last name. With...

Director Caitlin Sullivan is here to talk about Calf Scramble, the darkly funny and deeply original new play by Libby Carr now making noise Off-Broadway with Primary Stages at 59E59 Theaters. Set in an East Texas barn, the play follows five teenage girls as they raise calves and wrestle with faith, competition, survival, and what it really means to grow up. With its bold world, sharp humor, and em...

Broadway and TV favorite Claybourne Elder is stepping into a whole new spotlight with his debut album If The Stars Were Mine, out now on Center Stage Records. Known for his standout work in Company and on HBO’s The Gilded Age, Elder brings his full self to this deeply personal collection—blending Broadway classics, pop favorites, and jazz standards into something that feels like a musical journal....

Michael Longoria is here and bringing the sunshine with him! Best known for his standout run in Jersey Boys, this powerhouse vocalist is back with his brand new album “Catch a Wave” (with The Surfnotes), a vibrant and heartfelt tribute to the legendary Beach Boys. Packed with iconic hits like “Good Vibrations” and “California Girls,” the project captures the harmonies, nostalgia, and feel-good ene...

Miles Minnick is here and he is bringing the energy, the message, and a whole movement with him! The rising Bay Area hip-hop star is making major noise with his latest EP “Somersville,” a project that continues to blend faith, culture, and real-life storytelling in a way that is connecting with fans everywhere. With his signature sound and growing “Glo Nation” behind him, Miles is stepping into a...

Rising voice Ismael Loutfi joins us at The Roundtable to talk about his powerful new work Heavenly Baba—a piece that blends spirituality, identity, and storytelling into something truly unique. Known for his distinct artistic voice and commitment to honest, layered narratives, Loutfi is carving out space for stories that challenge, heal, and connect audiences in meaningful ways. Heavenly Baba invi...

We’re diving into one of the most buzzed-about immersive experiences in Los Angeles right now—Monster Party! Created by Matt Dorado, this surreal, campy, and politically charged theatrical event drops guests right into the middle of a 1950s cocktail party where nothing—and no one—is quite what it seems. Set against the backdrop of McCarthyism and the Lavender Scare, the experience blends gossip, m...

Rising LGBTQ+ pop artist RAEGAN is creating a lane all her own, blending bold theatrical storytelling with modern pop production in what she calls “musical theatre pop.” With a sound that is equal parts Broadway emotion and alt-pop edge, RAEGAN is turning heads for her unapologetic, campy, and deeply personal approach to music. Having toured internationally and built a growing fanbase, she is step...

Director Shareen Anderson and activist/philanthropist Janet Jensen join The Roundtable to discuss their powerful new documentary The Right Track—a gripping and eye-opening film that shines a light on sex trafficking and exploitation happening right in our own communities. Told through the voices of survivors, advocates, and those on the front lines, the film doesn’t just inform—it challenges audie...