The Roundtable with Robert Bannon

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...

Rupert Holmes and Michelle Azar join The Roundtable to talk about their powerful theatrical event, All Things Equal: The Life & Trials of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, now touring the country and stopping at Detroit’s historic Fisher Theatre. Rupert — the Tony Award–winning writer of The Mystery of Edwin Drood and the voice behind the iconic “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” — shares how he crafted an intima...

Broadway legend and television favorite Jesse L. Martin makes his long-awaited debut on The Roundtable with Robert Bannon! From originating the role of Tom Collins in the groundbreaking musical RENT to his unforgettable run on Law & Order and his celebrated work across stage and screen, Jesse joins us to reflect on a career that has shaped modern entertainment. We dive into his journey from Broadw...

The celebration continues on The Roundtable with Robert Bannon as we bring you Part 2 of our Kids & Family Emmy Awards coverage — this time straight from the Winners Circle! After chatting with stars all along the red carpet, we caught up with the newly crowned Emmy winners moments after they stepped off the stage at the Children’s & Family Emmy Awards in New York City. It was a night celebrating...

The Roundtable with Robert Bannon was on the red carpet at the Children's & Family Emmy Awards bringing you chats with some of the biggest names in kids and family entertainment. From beloved educator Ms. Rachel to fan favorites like Yvette Nicole Brown, Ana Gasteyer, and Tabitha Brown, the carpet was full of stars celebrating storytelling that inspires families around the world. We also caught up...

Actor Alex Koltchak and director Michael Sladek join The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to discuss their deeply moving project Bent Through Glass. The powerful work tells the story of a father navigating the devastating loss of his daughter to suicide, sharing an honest chronicle of grief, family, and healing. Through memories of his daughter Parker and the journey of his surviving family, the piec...

Broadway’s brightest gathered for the press day of THE BALUSTERS, and The Roundtable was in the room with the all-star cast and creatives behind this highly anticipated production. With a lineup featuring Marylouise Burke, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Margaret Colin, Kayli Carter, Ricardo Chavira, Michael Esper, Maria-Christina Oliveras, Richard Thomas, and Jeena Yi, the room was already electric — and t...

Director David Maler and star Angela Cano join The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to talk about their award-winning film ZUMECA, a sweeping cinematic story exploring identity, culture, and connection at the dawn of the Americas. The Dominican production tells a powerful pre-colonial love story between a Spanish conquistador and a Taíno woman, exploring themes of heritage, spirituality, and the coll...

Jason Haaf and Scooter LaForge join The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to discuss their bold new queer art novel WASTELAND — a boundary-breaking collaboration that redefines storytelling through visual art, poetry, and raw emotional expression. Born from an organic creative partnership, the book blends painting, prose, collage, and personal reflection into an immersive experience exploring queer in...

Composer and lyricist Adam Gwon and Broadway powerhouse Elizabeth Stanley join The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to celebrate the moving new musical All The World’s A Stage. From the inspiration behind the show to the emotional themes of identity, connection, and courage, this conversation explores how theatre reflects our world and helps audiences see themselves on stage. The musical follows a sm...

GRAMMY Award-winning gospel powerhouse Jekalyn Carr joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to celebrate her powerful new project Jekalyn X The Legends, a dynamic album honoring the iconic voices and trailblazers who shaped gospel music. Known for her electrifying vocals, bold faith, and commanding stage presence, Jekalyn shares the heart behind this tribute project, what it means to carry the tor...

Carey Sharpe joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to talk about her thrilling new project Blood/Love, now playing in New York City! A true multi-hyphenate, Carey not only stars in the production but also co-wrote this bold, stylized piece that blends passion, drama, and a deliciously dark sense of theatricality. We dive into the inspiration behind the work, the creative process of building a sh...

Rising star Nolan White joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to talk about his incredible journey to playing Ponyboy in the hit musical The Outsiders. From growing up in Nashville to studying at the University of Michigan and stepping into one of theater’s most iconic roles, Nolan shares the path that led him to the national tour of Broadway’s smash production. We talk about the emotional power...

Broadway’s most anticipated new musical of the season is coming — and The Lost Boys is already creating major buzz. Stars Benjamin Pajak, Jennifer Duka, and Miguel Gil join The Roundtable with Robert Bannon for a special preview conversation about bringing the legendary story to the Broadway stage. From the excitement surrounding the production to what makes this new musical experience unlike anyt...

Producer Layton Lillias joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to talk about bringing the magic of Dr. Seuss to life with The Cat in the Hat LIVE! — the theatrical experience touring across the country and stopping in Detroit at the iconic Fox Theatre. Layton shares what it takes to translate a beloved children’s classic from page to stage, the creative vision behind the production, and how this...

Musical theatre composer and lyricist Will Larche joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to talk about his bold new album Bumps in the Bathroom: and other lost shows, a collection celebrating songs from obscure downtown indie musicals that once thrived in New York’s East Village scene. Featuring powerhouse performers like Tony nominees Beth Malone and Emily Skinner, the album revives quirky, subv...

The Roundtable with Robert Bannon honors Black History Month with a powerful “Best Of” celebration highlighting unforgettable conversations with some of today’s most influential voices shaping culture, entertainment, and leadership. This special features incredible moments with Cory Booker, Jasmine Crockett, Luenell, Sherri Shepherd, Ledisi, Tamela Mann, Faith Evans, Kelly Price, Taraji P. Henson,...

Filmmaker Raven Deshay Carter joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to talk about her bold and haunting feature film Noseeums, a gripping social horror story blending supernatural chills with powerful themes of identity, history, and justice. Carter shares the inspiration behind the film’s story, which explores the legacy of stolen Black land, generational trauma, and the search for connection t...

Broadway legend and award-winning performer Obba Babatundé returns to The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to talk about his powerful new projects Love the Skin You’re In and Ruby’s Heart, both featured at the Pan African Film Festival. We discuss the inspiration behind these bold films exploring sisterhood, community, and self-discovery, the importance of meaningful storytelling, and why these proje...