Episodes

  • Ep 549- Indie Rock Band Austin & The Powers Swings By!

    Ep 549- Indie Rock Band Austin & The Powers Swings By!
    Jul 9 2025
    Austin and the Powers is a high-energy band known for their electrifying blend of funk, soul, and rock that gets crowds dancing from the first note. Fronted by charismatic lead singer Austin, the group brings a retro flair with a modern twist, channeling the spirit of classic Motown and 70s funk while keeping things fresh and original. Their tight rhythm section, punchy horn lines, and infectious grooves make every live show an unforgettable experience. In this podcast interview, we dive into the band’s creative process, their journey from small local gigs to festival stages, and the unique chemistry that powers their sound. Austin shares stories behind their most popular tracks, the influences that shaped their musical style, and what’s next for the band. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to their music, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most exciting live acts on the scene today. For More Info: www.AustinandthePowers.com __________________________________________________________________ Check out "The Roundtable with Robert Bannon" here on BPN on the daily, on YouTube, Broadway World, and on social media! Like, comment, share, & subscribe! For more info on Robert- www.RobertBannon.com Follow Him on IG- @RobertMBannon TikTok-@RobertMBannon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    26 mins
  • Ep 548- Jay Ellis Is Here To Talk The Off-Broadway Smash "Duke & Roya!"

    Ep 548- Jay Ellis Is Here To Talk The Off-Broadway Smash "Duke & Roya!"
    Jul 8 2025
    Welcome to The Roundtable with Robert Bannon, where today we’re thrilled to sit down with actor and producer Jay Ellis. Fresh off the stage in the electrifying new play Duke and Roya at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, Jay brings us behind the scenes of this gripping production, sharing what drew him to the project and how it connects with his powerful body of work across television and film. From his breakout role in Insecure to blockbuster hits like Top Gun: Maverick, Jay continues to push boundaries and redefine what it means to be a leading man in Hollywood. In this conversation, Jay talks about the passion, challenges, and joy of returning to live theater, as well as the evolution of his career on screen and behind the camera. You’ll hear about his inspirations, artistic choices, and why Duke and Roya is a must-see experience for theater lovers. Don’t miss your chance to catch this phenomenal show — get your tickets now at lortel.org/tickets. __________________________________________________________________ Check out "The Roundtable with Robert Bannon" here on BPN on the daily, on YouTube, Broadway World, and on social media! Like, comment, share, & subscribe! For more info on Robert- www.RobertBannon.com Follow Him on IG- @RobertMBannon TikTok-@RobertMBannon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    22 mins
  • EP 547- Susan Lee Is Here To Tell Us All About "Camp Broadway!"

    EP 547- Susan Lee Is Here To Tell Us All About "Camp Broadway!"
    Jul 7 2025
    Camp Broadway, Broadway’s Original Destination for Theater-loving kids, is returning to New York City on July 7-11, 2025, with its signature programs MAINSTAGE (ages 10-17) and SHINING STARS (ages 7-9) Founded in 1995 by Susan Lee of the Broadway Education Alliance (BEA), Camp Broadway is an exciting and fun “crash course” into being a Broadway performer and interacting with people “in the biz.” It also provides a safe and enriching environment for children and teens from all backgrounds and skill levels to build confidence, hone presentation skills, and discover their unique talents-on and off stage. Taught by a team of professional director/choreographers and music directors and held at Pearl Studios near the Broadway theatre district, Camp Broadway’s MAINSTAGE features vocal performance workshops, dancing, acting, stage craft and masterclasses finale showcase at Symphony Space. This year the camper’s will be divided into two groups and perform Peter Pan and Catch Me If You Can. Camp Broadway’s annual fieldtrip to Times Square will include watching a performance of Boop! at the Broadhurst Theater. Broadway stars Ali Stroker, Adam Kantor, director Sammi Cannold, and NY1 “On Stage” Host Frank DiLella all attended Camp Broadway and came out of the program. For younger kids, Camp Broadway’s SHINING STARS emphasizes creativity, collaboration, and crafts. Professional theater artists teach classes in singing, dancing, storytelling, and visual arts and their week culminates in a showcase for family and friends as well. Camp Broadway is the recipient of a many industry recognitions including a Special Drama Desk Award for its decades long work in building theatre audiences and artists. __________________________________________________________________ Check out "The Roundtable with Robert Bannon" here on BPN on the daily, on YouTube, Broadway World, and on social media! Like, comment, share, & subscribe! For more info on Robert- www.RobertBannon.com Follow Him on IG- @RobertMBannon TikTok-@RobertMBannon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    34 mins
  • Ep 546-The Iconic Lambchop Is Here! Lambchop & Mallory Lewis Talk All About Shari!

    Ep 546-The Iconic Lambchop Is Here! Lambchop & Mallory Lewis Talk All About Shari!
    Jul 3 2025
    The Lambchop is here! The iconic star is here with Mallory Lewis, the daughter of Shari Lewis, to talk the legacy and life of the trailblazing legend herself. They also announce a brand new documentary called " Shari & Lambchop" that will debut at Doc NYC before it rolls out across the country on July 18th. Shari Lewis was a dancer, singer, and magician but is best known as the ventriloquist behind sock puppets Charlie Horse, Hush Puppy and, of course, Lamb Chop. This lively doc charts the life, loves, and career hits and misses of this spunky perfectionist, who forever changed the face of children’s television. Featuring ventriloquists who she inspired and nostalgia-inducing clips, this upbeat portrait of brilliant Bronx native turned beloved TV personality brims, like Lewis, with warmth and charm. This is a must see episode of The Roundtable! Does it get more iconic than that? Only On The Roundtable With Robert Bannon. __________________________________________________________________ Check out "The Roundtable with Robert Bannon" here on BPN on the daily, on YouTube, Broadway World, and on social media! Like, comment, share, & subscribe! For more info on Robert- www.RobertBannon.com Follow Him on IG- @RobertMBannon TikTok-@RobertMBannon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    37 mins
  • Ep 545- Director James Sunshine Talks "Killing Mary Sue!"

    Ep 545- Director James Sunshine Talks "Killing Mary Sue!"
    Jul 2 2025
    KILLING MARY SUE writer-director James Sunshine is here to talk all about his new film with an all-star cast that sounds like a blast! Starring Dermot Mulroney and Sierra McCormick, James Sunshine's tongue-in-cheek satire of the "Mary Sue" archetype is explored in KILLING MARY SUE when a corrupt senator arranges for the murder of his biggest liability—his erratic burnout step-daughter—only for her to unwittingly discover her natural talent as an untouchable killer. A creative powerhouse of film and TV, James Sunshine begin his entertainment industry career as a producer on some of the biggest TV shows of all time including BIG BROTHER, PROJECT RUNWAY, and HELL’S KITCHEN. He wrote and directed his first feature film, a satirical comedy titled SAFER AT HOME (and later re-titled to CORONAVIRUS CONSPIRACY by Lionsgate), in the summer of 2020. The film marked one of the first union-approved indie features to shoot in Los Angeles after the start of the Covid-19 lockdowns. His award winning short film CURIOSITY was in the Oscar qualifying 2022 LA Shorts Film Festival, and as a writer James has also semi-finaled the biggest screenwriting competition in the world, the Academy Nicholl Fellowship. __________________________________________________________________ Check out "The Roundtable with Robert Bannon" here on BPN on the daily, on YouTube, Broadway World, and on social media! Like, comment, share, & subscribe! For more info on Robert- www.RobertBannon.com Follow Him on IG- @RobertMBannon TikTok-@RobertMBannon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    19 mins
  • Ep 544- Singer/Songwriter Miist Spreads Love & Positivity On The Roundtable!

    Ep 544- Singer/Songwriter Miist Spreads Love & Positivity On The Roundtable!
    Jul 1 2025
    Abandoned at five years old and surviving a terminal cancer diagnosis by 28, accountant-turned-singer/songwriter Miist defied the odds when she discovered her musical gift at 34 and last year, became the 1st native Chinese artist to break into Billboard’s Top 25 AC chart, collaborating with legends like Santana and Curtis Williams (Kool & The Gang). When I tell you this is a story like no other, this is an inspiration for sure! Now, the Bay Area mother (by way of China & Canada) is using her global platform to address one of the most pressing crises of our time: the loneliness epidemic. From her recent global anthem “Could You Lend Me a Smile” in 15 languages across 5 continents, featuring artists with 60 Grammy awards and nominations, to her podcast Make Me Smile with Miist (#13 on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube podcast charts in Mental Health), Miist champions meaningful connection as a powerful antidote to anxiety, disconnection, and emotional fatigue, especially in the digital age (The Atlantic, Inc., Fast Company). Listeners have responded with heartfelt praise, describing her as “spreading so much love and kindness in the world” and a “beautiful soul with depth of insight.” Listen to this special chat with a special artist. I promise it will lift your spirits! __________________________________________________________________ Check out "The Roundtable with Robert Bannon" here on BPN on the daily, on YouTube, Broadway World, and on social media! Like, comment, share, & subscribe! For more info on Robert- www.RobertBannon.com Follow Him on IG- @RobertMBannon TikTok-@RobertMBannon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    34 mins
  • Bonus Chat: Performer & Drag Star Chetan Rao Talks "Boy Meets Girl!"

    Bonus Chat: Performer & Drag Star Chetan Rao Talks "Boy Meets Girl!"
    Jun 30 2025
    Boundless Theater and producer Tommaso Cartia will present BOY MEETS GIRL - The Trials & Tribulations Of A Queer Man Living Under A Curse - written by Chetan Rao and Nalini Sharma and directed by David James Parr. This unique and dynamic autobiographical coming-of-rage show is a life-affirming, irresistibly funny, and profoundly moving story chronicling the journey of self-discovery of an Indian American Drag queer performer living in NYC, struggling to find peace with his roots, his identity, and his desire for love and success. The play pays homage to the boy-meets-girl Bollywood tradition by reenacting popular pieces in the form of drag acts, as Chetan undergoes a figurative and literal transformation to shake off the "curse" and finally meet his true self. The creative team includes Chetan Rao (Actor/Drag Artist/Writer), Nalini Sharma (Playwright), David James Parr (Director), Tommaso Cartia (Producer for Boundless Theater), Maria Weyer(Production Assistant/Stage Manager) The theme song is written by Chetan Rao and produced by Chris Chianesi. For More Info: www.boundlesstheater.com __________________________________________________________________ Check out "The Roundtable with Robert Bannon" here on BPN on the daily, on YouTube, Broadway World, and on social media! Like, comment, share, & subscribe! For more info on Robert- www.RobertBannon.com Follow Him on IG- @RobertMBannon TikTok-@RobertMBannon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    22 mins
  • Ep 543- Daniel Junge and Sam Pollard Talk The Tribeca Doc: I WAS BORN THIS WAY!

    Ep 543- Daniel Junge and Sam Pollard Talk The Tribeca Doc: I WAS BORN THIS WAY!
    Jun 30 2025
    Surviving racism, homophobia and childhood trauma, Carl Bean found his voice through song – first as a gospel singer in Harlem’s Christian Tabernacle Choir and then later performing with his group Carl Bean and Universal Love on their 1974 album “Universal Love.” But it was the recording of the 1977 Motown hit “I Was Born This Way” that would earn him fame; the song was celebrated as the world’s first gay anthem.However, Bean eschewed a mainstream music career…instead choosing a vocation in activism. He started the Minority AIDS Project -- serving a vital role for underserved populations during the AIDS Crisis. And he founded Unity Fellowship Church — the first LGBTQ+ ministry. Using innovative rotoscope animation and featuring appearances by Lady Gaga, Questlove, Billy Porter, and Dionne Warwick, I WAS BORN THIS WAY celebrates the life and legacy of the unapologetic gay Black trailblazer and his resounding message, “love is for everyone.” The directors tell us how the movie came to be, what they learned, and why it is perfect for today! __________________________________________________________________ Check out "The Roundtable with Robert Bannon" here on BPN on the daily, on YouTube, Broadway World, and on social media! Like, comment, share, & subscribe! For more info on Robert- www.RobertBannon.com Follow Him on IG- @RobertMBannon TikTok-@RobertMBannon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    25 mins