The Roundtable with Robert Bannon – Details, episodes & analysis

The Broadway season is heating up, and correspondent Rob Nicholson was front and center at the Meet the Nominees presentation for the Chita Rivera Awards! From the ballroom to the backstage buzz, Rob caught up with some of the incredible artists bringing dance and movement to life on stage and screen this year. First up, the jellicle magic of Cats: The Jellicle Ball! Rob chatted with nominees Sydney James Harcourt, Jonathan Burke, and Brandon Burks about reinventing the iconic musical, the electric energy audiences are feeling every night, and what it means to celebrate movement, storytelling, and individuality through one of theater’s most beloved scores. Then, Rob moved from the junkyard to the chessboard with Chess nominee Sarah Meahl, who shared insight into the passion, precision, and powerhouse vocals fueling the highly talked-about production. And the conversation didn’t stop there! Filmmaker Cody Williams joined the show to discuss Playing The Palace, the moving documentary capturing the heart, history, and impact of one of Broadway’s most legendary spaces. From preserving theatrical legacy to spotlighting the artists who make the magic happen, the film is already creating major conversation in the theater community. Follow us on social media @RobertMBannon or go to www.ROBERTBANNON.com for more! Watch and listen to The Roundtable with Robert Bannon on Broadway Podcast Network, YouTube, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and BroadwayWorld at TheRoundtable.org. #ChitaRiveraAwards #CatsTheJellicleBall #ChessBroadway #PlayingThePalace #Broadway #TheRoundtable #RobertBannon #SydneyJamesHarcourt #JonathanBurke #BrandonBurks #SarahMeahl #CodyWilliams #Theater Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony Bordonaro and Ingrid Kapteyn are not just performing—they’re inviting audiences into a living, breathing experiment. Their latest work, Chalk Outline Portal, is an immersive “danceplay” that fuses movement, storytelling, and technology into something completely unpredictable. Built through their company Welcome to Campfire, the piece dives into grief, identity, and the shifting nature of self, all while blurring the line between performer and audience. With live sound mixing, real-time video, and even interactive gaming elements, no two performances are the same—this is theatre that reacts, evolves, and dares you to step inside it. Joined by Emmy-winning visual storyteller Roberto Araujo, who captures and enhances the experience through live video and documentary work, the team creates something that feels raw, intimate, and wildly innovative. At its core, Chalk Outline Portal is about vulnerability—about showing up as yourself, in real time, and letting the unknown lead. It’s messy, it’s human, and it’s exactly the kind of bold, genre-defying work that reminds us why live performance still matters. ✨ Listen to our full conversation with Tony, Ingrid & Roberto now on The Roundtable with Robert Bannon—streaming on Broadway Podcast Network, iHeart, Spotify, Apple, and more! #TheRoundtable #ChalkOutlinePortal #TonyBordonaro #IngridKapteyn #RobertoAraujo #OffBroadway #ImmersiveTheatre #NYCTheatre #DanceTheatre #BroadwayWorld #BPN #iHeartRadio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Roxy Hunt is here and she’s shining a spotlight on one of NYC’s most exciting creative hubs—Lower East Side Film Festival. With a passion for championing independent artists, Roxy gives us the inside scoop on how the festival has grown into a must-attend event for filmmakers and audiences alike. From boundary-pushing shorts to unforgettable features, the festival captures the grit, heart, and diversity of the Lower East Side in every frame. We talk about what makes this festival stand out in a crowded landscape, the importance of giving emerging voices a platform, and how community is at the core of it all. Roxy also shares what audiences can expect this year—from standout screenings to the electric atmosphere that only downtown NYC can deliver. If you love discovering what’s next in film, this is one conversation you don’t want to miss. Watch the full conversation on The Roundtable with Robert Bannon—streaming now on BroadwayWorld, the Broadway Podcast Network, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeart! #TheRoundtable #RoxyHunt #LESFilmFestival #LowerEastSide #IndieFilm #FilmFestival #NYCArts #Filmmakers #SupportIndieFilm #BroadwayWorld #BPN #YouTube #Podcast #Entertainment #OnAir #NowStreaming Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 colorful, imaginative show captures the humor, heart, and timeless message audiences of all ages love. We also dive into the world of live theater production, the challenges and joys of touring family entertainment, and why storytelling that sparks imagination remains more important than ever. From behind-the-scenes insights to the excitement of bringing this larger-than-life character to audiences nationwide, Layton gives a fun and inspiring look at what makes The Cat in the Hat LIVE! a theatrical event families won’t want to miss. — Watch The Roundtable with Robert Bannon on BroadwayWorld, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 🌐 RobertBannon.com 📲 Follow on Instagram: @RobertMBannon The best is yet to come. #LaytonLillias #TheCatInTheHat #DrSeuss #FoxTheatreDetroit #BroadwayTour #FamilyTheatre #TheRoundtableWithRobertBannon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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, subversive works exploring love, identity, and self-expression through vibrant storytelling and unforgettable music. The project releases as a waterfall album leading up to its full debut on February 27. Robert and Will dive into the wild world of downtown theatre, preserving “lost” musical gems, and why unconventional stories still matter in today’s theatre landscape. From scrappy basement productions to Broadway voices bringing the work to life, this conversation celebrates creativity, risk-taking, and the magic of musical theatre that lives outside the mainstream — exactly the kind of fearless artistry we love around the Roundtable. 🎙️ The Roundtable with Robert Bannon is available on BroadwayWorld, YouTube, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you watch and listen. 🌐 RobertBannon.com | Follow on Instagram @RobertMBannon #WillLarche #BumpsInTheBathroom #Broadway #MusicalTheatre #IndieTheatre #CastRecording #TheatreCommunity #RobertBannon #RoundtableWithRobertBannon The best is yet to come. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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, Kel Mitchell, Leslie Odom Jr., and many more — sharing stories of artistry, impact, resilience, and inspiration that continue to shape our world. From laughter to powerful conversations about legacy, creativity, and representation, Robert brings together standout moments that celebrate Black excellence across generations. It’s a joyful and inspiring tribute to the voices, stories, and achievements that move culture forward — reminding us why these conversations matter and why the best is always yet to come. Watch The Roundtable with Robert Bannon on YouTube and listen on all major platforms. Follow @RobertBannon and visit RobertBannon.com for more. #TheRoundtableWithRobertBannon #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackExcellence #BestOf #CoryBooker #JasmineCrockett #Luenell #SherriShepherd #Ledisi #TamelaMann #FaithEvans #KellyPrice #TarajiPHenson #KelMitchell #LeslieOdomJr #Noseeums #TheBestIsYetToCome Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 through a suspenseful and deeply personal lens. Robert and Raven dive into her journey as a writer and director, creating her first feature, bringing meaningful social commentary to the horror genre, and telling stories that spark conversation while keeping audiences on the edge of their seats. It’s a fascinating look at a rising voice in filmmaking and the power of storytelling to reflect culture, history, and truth. Watch The Roundtable with Robert Bannon on YouTube and listen on all major platforms. For more, visit RobertBannon.com and follow @RobertBannon. #TheRoundtableWithRobertBannon #RavenDeshayCarter #Noseeums #FilmDirector #SocialHorror #IndieFilm #BlackFilmmakers #HorrorFilm #Entertainment #CelebrityInterviews #TheBestIsYetToCome Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 projects speak to audiences right now. Robert and Obba also take a look back at his extraordinary career — from Broadway and film to working with legendary co-stars and unforgettable moments on stage, including stories about the iconic Liza Minnelli and more. It’s a warm, joyful, and inspiring conversation with a true entertainment legend and friend of the show. Watch The Roundtable with Robert Bannon on BroadwayWorld, YouTube, Spotify, and all major platforms. Visit RobertBannon.com and follow @RobertBannon on Instagram. The best is yet to come. #ObbaBabatunde #LoveTheSkinYoureIn #RubysHeart #PanAfricanFilmFestival #BroadwayLegend #TheRoundtableWithRobertBannon #BroadwayWorld #Film #Theater #Entertainment #Interview #Culture #PAFF Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 deeply personal work so timely, the creative process behind bringing these layered characters to life, and why this production is resonating strongly with audiences. In this honest and engaging conversation, we talk about culture, legacy, and the courage to define your own path. Patrice and Natalie open up about their journeys as artists, their connection to the material, and the heart behind this moving theatrical experience. It’s a passionate, thoughtful, and inspiring chat about storytelling, representation, and the power of live theater — exactly the kind of conversation you love here at The Roundtable. 🎙️ The Roundtable with Robert Bannon is available on Broadway Podcast Network, BroadwayWorld, YouTube, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts and everywhere you listen. Visit RobertBannon.com and follow on Instagram @RobertMBannon. The best is yet to come. #TheRoundtableWithRobertBannon #PatriceJohnsonChevannes #NataliePaul #TheWaterfall #WPTheater #OffBroadway #NYCTheater #BroadwayWorld #TheaterCommunity #WomenInTheater #RepresentationMatters #ActorInterview #EntertainmentTalk #TheBestIsYetToCome Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 director, and how this ambitious project brings a fresh voice to international cinema. In this engaging conversation, Robert and Thales dive into the creative process behind the film’s visual style, storytelling approach, and the challenges of bringing such a bold cinematic vision to life. From global influences to personal meaning, this chat celebrates the power of film to challenge audiences and spark conversation while spotlighting an exciting filmmaker to watch. Watch The Roundtable with Robert Bannon on BroadwayWorld, YouTube, Spotify, and the Broadway Podcast Network. For more, visit RobertBannon.com and follow on Instagram @RobertMBannon. The best is yet to come. #ThalesBanzai #TonyOdyssey #BrazilianCinema #IndieFilm #FilmDirector #InternationalFilm #CinemaConversation #TheRoundtableWithRobertBannon #BroadwayWorld #FilmInterview #GlobalCinema #RobertBannon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices