The Roundtable with Robert Bannon

Leslie Fields-Cruz, the dynamic Executive Director of Black Public Media, joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon for an inspiring and necessary conversation about storytelling, representation, and the power of media. As a champion for Black creatives across film, television, and digital platforms, Leslie shares how Black Public Media has been at the forefront of supporting groundbreaking content...

Jonny-James Kajoba and Matt Walker join The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to dive into the gripping new Off-Broadway play Spare Parts, a darkly funny and thought-provoking work that tackles some of today’s biggest questions about science, power, and what it means to be human. Set in a world of cutting-edge anti-aging research funded by a billionaire’s obsession with living forever, the play explor...

Tony-nominated choreographer Lorin Latarro joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to talk about bringing new life to the iconic musical Chess! Known for her dynamic, storytelling-driven movement in productions like Waitress, Into the Woods, and Mrs. Doubtfire, Latarro has become one of Broadway’s most exciting creative forces. Now, she’s stepping into the world of Chess, a beloved cult classic wi...

Anna Mai and Fergus Fitzpatrick, the dynamic sibling duo lighting up stages around the world, join The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Riverdance as the global phenomenon returns to tour—including a stop in Detroit! As part of a new generation carrying forward one of the most iconic productions in theatrical history, Anna Mai and Fergus share what it’s like to gr...

From Broadway to Hollywood and back home to Detroit, Emmy Award-winning choreographer Joshua Bergasse joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to talk all things The Music Man and the magic of bringing classic musical theater to life. Born and raised just outside Detroit, Bergasse’s journey from his mother’s dance studio to the biggest stages in the world is nothing short of inspiring. His work spa...

Kathryn Allyson is here as she takes the smash-hit musical & Juliet across the United States! This global sensation flips the script on Shakespeare’s classic love story, imagining what would happen if Juliet chose her own destiny—set to a soundtrack of iconic pop hits from Max Martin including Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Katy Perry, and more. Now hitting cities nationwide, this high-energy pr...

Karin McCracken and Simon Leary are here diving into the wildly original and emotionally electric Heartbreak Hotel, now playing Off-Broadway at the DR2 Theatre! Created by acclaimed New Zealand company EBKM, this hilarious and heartfelt two-hander follows one woman navigating the aftermath of a six-year relationship—while Leary brilliantly transforms into every man in her life along the way. Packe...

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....