The Roundtable with Robert Bannon

Acclaimed performers Patrice Johnson Chevannes and Natalie Paul join The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to talk about their powerful new Off-Broadway production The Waterfall at WP Theater. The world-premiere play explores generational divides, family expectations, womanhood, and the search for identity through an intimate and emotional mother-daughter story. The two stars share what makes this dee...

Brazilian filmmaker Thales Banzai joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to discuss his powerful and visually striking film Tony Odyssey. The surreal and thought-provoking movie follows a dreamlike journey that blends reality, identity, and spirituality while exploring the human experience through a uniquely Brazilian lens. Thales shares the inspiration behind the film, his artistic vision as a d...

Writer Karin Abarbanel and director Rhonda PASSION Hansome join The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to talk about their exciting work on Dust of Egypt. The conversation explores their creative partnership, the inspiration behind the project, and the deeper theme that drive their storytelling. This show tells the story of Soujourner Truth that many do not know. Robert dives into their artistic journe...

Tony Award winner Miriam Silverman and the brilliant Hamish Linklater join The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to talk their gripping new project The Disappear — and what unfolds is one of our most fun, lively, and surprising conversations yet. From the creative process to the intensity of the work, the pair dive into the story behind the project, their approach to performance, and the magic of coll...

Thomas Sadoski joins The Roundtable to talk about his upcoming charity reading of Tracy Letts’ work benefiting Circle in the Square and why supporting the theater community remains so important to him. A powerhouse performer across stage and screen, Thomas reflects on his lifelong connection to live theater, the magic of storytelling, and the passion that continues to drive his work both on and of...

This Valentine’s Week, we celebrate love with a true icon. The legendary Engelbert Humperdinck joins The Roundtable as he turns 90 — and proves romance never goes out of style. With timeless classics like “Release Me” and “After the Lovin’,” brand new music, and a worldwide tour that includes a stop right here in Detroit, Engelbert reminds us why his voice has been the soundtrack to love stories f...

The man behind the mic of The Price Is Right Live joins The Roundtable! Host Todd Newton brings the energy, the stories, and the inside scoop on what it’s really like to travel the country bringing one of America’s most beloved game shows to life on stage. From audience reactions to unforgettable “Come on down!” moments, Todd shares what makes the live version such an electric experience for fans...

Erica Dasher joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to talk about her latest project, The Burbs, and what drew her to this new chapter in her career. From stepping into the world of the show to exploring its heart, humor, and sense of community, Erica shares why The Burbs resonated with her and what makes the story feel especially relevant right now. In this conversation, we go beyond the screen...

Nana Ponceleon stops by The Roundtable to talk about her powerful role in Clika, a film centered on music, identity, and the pull between ambition and family. Nana plays Mari, the devoted mother at the heart of the story, grounding the film with warmth, resilience, and hard-earned wisdom. We dive into how Clika reflects real cultural experiences, the rise of corridos tumbados, and why this story f...

For Super Bowl week, we go straight to the roots of the game with Chuck Kyle, one of the most respected high school football coaches in history. After more than four decades shaping young men on and off the field, Coach Kyle is the subject of the new Amazon docuseries The Object of the Game, which follows his final season and the values that defined his career. In this conversation, we talk about...

Today on The Roundtable, we’re talking about something mighty special: The Protomen, the Nashville-bred rock opera icons whose latest album Act III: This City Made Us just broke into the Top 10 on the Billboard charts — a huge milestone for a band that’s carved its own legendary path through immersive storytelling, epic soundscapes, and cult devotion. This is the final act of a trilogy years in th...

Keith Kilgo, founding member of The Blackbyrds, joins The Roundtable as the legendary group hits the road again for 2026. Born out of Howard University and famously mentored by Donald Byrd, The Blackbyrds helped define a new era of jazz-funk in the 1970s, blending groove, soul, and musicianship into a sound that still resonates today. With hits like Walking in Rhythm and Happy Music, their influen...

Matteo Lane is hitting the road with his brand-new comedy tour We’ve Gotta Catch Up, and honestly… this one feels personal. Known for his razor-sharp wit, big heart, and stories that bounce effortlessly between culture, family, identity, and pure chaos, Matteo is doing what he does best—making us laugh while sneaking in a little truth. From growing up Italian to navigating love, life, and being ex...

Ever wonder what it actually takes to make — and hopefully sell — a TV pilot? This week at the Roundtable, we’re joined by Tom Willoughby, a first-time showrunner stepping into the deep end with his new series The Rich Kids Rule. Tom breaks down the real path from idea to pilot: writing, pitching, assembling a team, navigating notes, and the leap of faith it takes to put your vision out into the i...

Omari Collins — known on and off stage as the unforgettable Scarlett D. Von’Du — joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to talk about starring in the hit musical KINKY BOOTS as it stops in Detroit. Omari shares what it means to step into such an iconic role, the responsibility of honoring the character’s legacy, and the joy of bringing this bold, high-energy show to audiences who are ready to cel...

Director Chris Walters joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to talk about his moving documentary Artfully United, a film that explores the power of public art to bring people together and uplift communities. The project follows artist Mike Norice as he creates vibrant murals in underserved neighborhoods, transforming blank walls into messages of hope, unity, and belonging. More than a documenta...

XBYRDX joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon for a candid conversation about his powerful new single and the album it introduces. Known for blending emotion, atmosphere, and honesty, XBYRDX opens up about his creative process, the inspirations behind the project, and how this body of work represents a deeper chapter in his artistic evolution. We also get into identity, vulnerability, and what it...

Tenor saxophonist Simon Mogul joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to talk about his debut album Simon Says, a straight-ahead jazz record rooted in tradition and driven by pure swing. Recorded with legendary bassist and producer Curtis Lundy, Simon Says captures the raw, first-take energy of the studio while honoring the lineage of jazz greats like Dexter Gordon, Gene Ammons, Sonny Rollins, and...

We hit the red carpet for Solo Mio and caught up with an incredible lineup of stars including Kevin James, Jonathan Roumie, Kim Coates, Nicole Grimaudo, and more. From big laughs to thoughtful reflections, the energy on the carpet was electric as the cast and creatives celebrated this exciting new release. From candid moments to behind-the-scenes stories, our red carpet conversations captured the...

Carrot Top is here — and nothing about his career has ever been ordinary. From Las Vegas headliner to one of the most instantly recognizable comedians in the world, he’s built a decades-long run by doing exactly what everyone told him not to do. We talk about how the prop comedy started, why it stuck, and how he turned skepticism into staying power, becoming a true comedy original in an industry t...

Acclaimed actor Rob Morgan and director Glen Owen join The Roundtable to talk about their powerful new film Signing Tony Raymond. Rob Morgan—known for standout work across film and television including Stranger Things, Daredevil, Luke Cage, and The Last Black Man in San Francisco—brings his signature depth and humanity to a story centered on redemption, responsibility, and hard truths. Director Gl...

Miranda Anderson, Amandla Jahava, Portia, and writer-directors Marina Tempelsman & Niccolò Aeed are here to talk about This Will Never Work — a bold, intimate project that explores connection, ambition, and the messy reality of chasing something meaningful. We dig into how the story came together, what drew each of them to the material, and why this project feels especially timely right now. The c...

Acclaimed filmmaker Maxime Giroux joins The Roundtable to talk about his haunting new film In Cold Light. Known for his visually striking storytelling and emotionally complex characters, Giroux opens up about the inspiration behind the film, crafting tension through atmosphere, and why In Cold Light lives in the unsettling space between morality, survival, and obsession. In this candid and thought...

Producer Steven Lawrence joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to talk about The Long Way Home, the iconic documentary following legendary Russian singer and songwriter Boris Grebenshchikov as he travels from the Soviet Union to the United States to record an album during a pivotal moment in history. The film captures a rare cultural exchange, blending music, politics, and personal freedom at a...

Actor Michael Mosley joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to talk about signing on for his latest film, Tony Raymond. He opens up about the moment the project crossed his path, what immediately grabbed him about the script, and why this role felt like the right next move. Michael shares insight into the character, the creative conversations that shaped his decision, and what excites him most ab...