The Roundtable with Robert Bannon

This chat is FUN! We are deep, we are silly, we are talking music! Abigail Barlow has accomplished a lot in her life and she is still a BABY! She has a Grammy, she has music streamed millions and millions of times, she created a concept album of a TV show, and went viral, but it has come with some tough moments as well! She is here to talk her journey, what is next, and the album, coming soon, that she has put her heart and soul into!

GRAMMY-award winner Abigail Barlow is back with "Rock Bottom," the first track off her upcoming debut solo album Princess Pop, due out early 2024. A culmination of the past year’s ups and downs, "Rock Bottom" (co-written with Kings and Gus Ross, who also produced the track) is a statement from an artist who has reflected, learned, and grown - an artist who has realized that her voice and message continue to resonate powerfully as she looks ahead to the future. After contesting a lawsuit over her GRAMMY-award winning The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical as half of Barlow & Bear, "Rock Bottom" reflects on the experiences she’s had over the past year, paving the path forward, onward, and upward for Abigail as an artist.

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The highly anticipated new musical "Harmony" is rolling into the Barrymore this fall! They will be up there singing, dancing, and telling this tale "Every Single Day" (except Monday of course!). We had the chance to be at Press Day for the musical to talk all about it with the cast and creatives.

We had the chance to talk to Sierra Boggess, Chip Zien, Julie Benko, Director Warren Carlye, and the Harmonists themselves! Plus we have a quote from the Man, the Myth, The Legend Barry Manilow himself!

As a special bonus, we have a sneak peek at four showstoppers from the show! Take a listen to hear these Manilow/Sussman arrangements and lyrics before you grab your tickets! See Harmony! Tickets on-sale now at www.HARMONYTHEMUSICAL.com!

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Do you like gossip, stories, and old Hollywood Tales? We have one for you!

Shelley Herman is an Emmy-nominated writer whose career began as an NBC Page in Burbank, CA. A graduate of Agoura High School and California State University, Northridge, Shelley has written over 1000 hours of television shows, contributed to numerous books for Dove/Phoenix Books, starred in the TV series Off the Wall, and Night Rap, and co-hosted ESPN's Battle of The Monster Trucks and Mud Bog Spectacular. In addition, Shelley has guest-starred on numerous TV shows and hosted eight infomercials and national talk radio programs, and is a member of SAG/AFTRA, Writers Guild of America, West and The Television Academy She and her husband, actor Randall Carver, live in Los Angeles, where they feed every stray animal in their neighborhood. 

"I'm not ashamed of anything," says showbiz veteran Shelley Herman about stories recounted in her new book, My Peacock Tale: Secrets Of An NBC Page. "There's nothing in this book that anyone should be ashamed of, because the lessons we learned, the people we met, made us who we are now. We had a lot of fun and if we could, we'd do it all over again!"

More than a memoir, My Peacock Tale is a playful mix of "Sex and the City" and "Mad Men" – set against the backdrop of Hollywood (and beautiful downtown Burbank!) in the 1970s. It's not just about the stories and memories of Herman's own time as a 20-something NBC Studios Page in Burbank - handed "the keys to the kingdom" and assigned gatekeeper to showbiz royalty. It's also about the lifelong friendships she formed with fellow Pages, whose own wild and crazy formative experiences are also tastefully recounted and unabashedly celebrated. 

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They are NY Staples! They are everywhere, play for everyone, and do it all! Billy Stritch & Jim Caruso are here! They are talking Birdland and Cast Party!

It’s a cross between “The Voice” and “The Tonight Show!” Jim Caruso’s Cast Party is a wildly popular happening that has brought Broadway glitz and urbane wit to the legendary Birdland in New York City every Monday night since 2003. It is the ultimate spot to mix and mingle with show folk and the people who love them. Cast Party is a hilariously impromptu open mic/variety show where showbiz superstars and up-and-comers deliver jaw-dropping musical performances and razzle-dazzle.

Legendary showman Jim Caruso guides the entire affair with razor-sharp humor and the unbridled enthusiasm of an uber-fan. Musical director-to-the-stars Billy Stritch holds court at the ivories. But the real fun starts when the audience participates in the onstage festivities. Broadway legends, jazzers, cabaret divas, starry-eyed tourists, and enthusiastic kids storm the stage and entertain each other. If you have a voice, a dream and some sheet music, your Cast Party moment awaits!

Caruso and Stritch love taking the show on the road, and have celebrated talent in London, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Chicago, Austin, Nashville, Dallas, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Miami, as well as very special all-star events at The Town Hall and Jazz at Lincoln Center in Manhattan. Cast Party has been honored with five BroadwayWorld Awards, a MAC Award, Bistro Award, and a Nightlife Award.

For Tickets & Info: www.castpartynyc.com

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We love us some Emma Hunton. She wowed us in "Wicked," sang her face off in "Rent," and stuns on screen in all her projects. She is here to talk about a new parody just in time for spooky season!

The new rock musical, EXORCISTIC presented by HRS Productions and Orgasmico Theatre will premier in NYC just in time for Halloween. The show will come to NYC for its limited viewing on October 8th through October 23rd at The Box. The unauthorized parody of The Exorcist was brought back by popular demand after their sold-out run at The Three Clubs in Los Angeles. 

The musical parody brings about horror, hilarity, and the most powerhouse rock tunes you’ll see in a theater this year! The production brings to roaring life with iconic imagery and an explosive live band, the story of a movie star whose daughter becomes possessed and is helped by priests who try to save her. 

Book, lyrics, and music by two-time Ovation Award winner Michael Shaw Fisher. Lindsay Heather Pearce (Wicked and RENT) will be featured in the opening cast. Emma Hunton (Freeform's Good Trouble, Wicked, and RENT) will also star, reprising her role from the LA production. The cast includes: The Summer Set's frontman Brian Logan Dales, Leigh Wolf (Exorcistic 2013), Jesse Merlin (For Love of the Glove, Re-Animator the Musical), Marissa Jaret Winokur (Hairspray, Bupkis), Nick Bredosky (UMPO 10 Things I Hate About You) Kim Dalton (Cluelesque, Toil & Trouble) Mitchell Gerrard Johnson (A New Brain) Gabby Sanalitro (That 90’s Show) and Tyler Olshanksky.

Exorcistic is a parody within a parody. The audience watches a struggling theater company make their way to Broadway by the second act, however, their lead, Emma Hunton has taken Method Acting a step too far and is replaced with a Broadway star. This role is a rotating rolodex of stars which you do not want to miss because it changes every night! Each night there will be a different special guest performer who will be played by: Marissa Rosen (For the Girls, Water for Elephants, Modern Love) Nick Cearly (The Skivvies, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown) Jillian Schiralli (CATS, now that’s what i call 90s) Gerard Canonico (Almost Famous, The Dude Ranch) Jordan Donica (Camelot, RENT, Hamilton) Jamie Cepero (SMASH, The Function) and more! 

Los Angeles cast member Frankie Grande says “Exorcistic combines everything you love about Rock Musical Theater and Horror into the perfect evening of theater that will leave you laughing and crying all the way home!”

The Box is located at 189 Chrystie St, New York, NY 10002. 

The show will start promptly at 7:30 pm with the doors opening at 6:30 pm. 

Tickets are now available and can be purchased here

To listen to the cast album of EXORCISTIC: The Rock Musical, click here

Follow EXORCISTIC on IG: @exorcistic_musical 

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Check out “The Roundtable with Robert Bannon” every Thursday 7pm EST/4pm PST PLUS: The Talk Series where artists share their art and their heart.

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A true artist joins us! She has conquered Broadway, Recorded Music with the like of Natalie Merchant, and sung around the world, what is next on her list to accomplish?

Abena Koomson-Davis is a performer, educator and wordsmith. She is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College where she earned a B.A. in Liberal Arts, and also of Teachers College, Columbia University where she earned a Masters in Education Leadership. Abena was an original cast member of the hit Broadway musical FELA! which earned 3 TONY awards. She originated the role of Funmilayo Anikulapo Kuti in the Off-Broadway production at the Baryshnikov Arts Center.

Abena plays in several notable bands including the cappella trio Saheli, the Cool Rulers, and Van Davis, where she has been the featured vocalist for over a decade, and had the honor of performing with Stevie Wonder. Abena recently became musical director of the Women’s March Resistance Revival Chorus and has been featured as part of their monthly Resistance Revival Music Series. She currently serves as Ethics Chair of the middle school division at Ethical Culture Fieldston School, where she teaches ethics and social justice to middle & upper school students. Abena is married to world-renowned jazz trombonist Steve Davis.

Abena’s approach to life is polyphonic. Her poem, BLACKSMITH ORCHESTRA is her anthem.

She is performing live in NYC at Smoke Jazz in October! Grab Tickets: www.SmokeJazz.com

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Check out “The Roundtable with Robert Bannon” every Thursday 7pm EST/4pm PST PLUS: The Talk Series where artists share their art and their heart.

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What we need from you is "Understanding," Tamika Scott is here!

One-fourth of the prolific R&B quartet Xscape, natural-born performer Tamika Scott has been dazzling audiences with her powerhouse vocals and charming personality. Tamika formed Xscape with her sister, LaTosha Scott, and high school friends Tameka “Tiny” Harris and Kandi Burruss Tucker in 1993 as they exploded onto the Atlanta scene. Their meteoric rise yielded six consecutive top 10 hits and three platinum albums. Xscape disbanded in 1999 but came back together in 2017 to perform at the BET Awards. After witnessing the fan fervor for Xscape in 2017, the group hit the road again and chronicled their reunion on the hit Bravo docuseries “Xscape: Still Kickin’ It.”

Tamika has starred in numerous Tyler Perry stage plays and appeared in the 2009 film “There’s a Stranger in My House.” Also known for her culinary prowess, Tamika released a cookbook in 2022, “Table Set: Cooking With Tamika Scott,” accompanied by her own line of cooking spices. Tamika is head over heels for husband Darnell and is a devoted mom to their three daughters – O’Shun, Niyah and Princess. She is also “momager” to daughter Niyah, who is an aspiring rapper.

While on break from the road, Tamika has written a cookbook, released a seasoning line, and has new music out with Method Man! How does she do it all? She is hear and tells us!

To get your seasons on- www.SouthernFuse.com

Follow Tamika on IG- @therealtamikascott

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Check out “The Roundtable with Robert Bannon” every Thursday 7pm EST/4pm PST PLUS: The Talk Series where artists share their art and their heart.

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LOVE! MARRIAGE! BABY CARRIAGE! The eternal question, how do fall in love and how do we keep it?

I do not know about you, but during the pandemic, I fell in the rabbit hole of "Married At First Sight." We have one of the experts with us to talk dating, finding the right match, the importance of communication, and her new book, "The 4 Intimacy Styles" available now!

If you are single, newly married, or married for a lifetime, there is some advice for everyone with the one and only Dr. Viviana! For more info on all things Dr. Viv visit: www.DOCTORVIVIANA.com or follow @DoctorViviana on IG/Tik Tok!

Tune in to find out only on “The Roundtable with Robert Bannon!”

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Check out “The Roundtable with Robert Bannon” every Thursday 7pm EST/4pm PST PLUS: The Talk Series where artists share their art and their heart.

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There is no greater opening number on Broadway than "Circle of Life!" FIght me on it! It is epic and gives all the feels. This Musical Phenomenon is running strong on Broadway and we get the chance to chat with one of Broadway's Newest Stars Jillian Paige Platero!

Jillian chattted with us from home before a full weekend of shows. Do you wonder what life is like for a kid on Broadway? She shares all! What does she do for school? When does she rehearse? How did it happen? What does her family think? If you are a Musical Theatre Stan, Disney Fanatic, or a Parent of the Next Broadway Superstar, this chat is for you!

Catch Jillian in "The Lion King." For tickets: www.LionKing.com

Tune in to find out only on “The Roundtable with Robert Bannon!”

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Check out “The Roundtable with Robert Bannon” every Thursday 7pm EST/4pm PST PLUS: The Talk Series where artists share their art and their heart.

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We were live on the red carpet for "20 Seconds" at the Signature. We had a chance to talk to the star Tom Sweitzer about the journey to NY with this incredibly personal story. We also chat with the director, VIP guests, and more!

To a young Tom Sweitzer in 1970s blue-collar Pennsylvania, homemade meatballs were an Italian mom’s cure-all. Husky pants from Sears were a necessary evil. And dad’s schizophrenia and alcoholism were the fuel to a nightmarish fire. That is the life Tom knew and endured until one day, he ran out of the house and into the church across the street. There, he met a woman who gave him a gift that would alter the course of his life: music. Through song, Tom found a haven, a passion, a career, and a purpose. But above all, it gave him the language to accept loss, let in love, and forgive the demons of his past.

20 Seconds is an inspiring testimony to the uplifting power of music at all stages of life. Music provided companionship when Tom couldn’t find it in a destructive home. Years later, music shaped Tom’s career as a therapist, allowing him to augment his penchant for song with clinical, research-based practices.

In his inviting solo performance, Tom weaves storytelling with original song and nearly a dozen colorful characters. Over 90 minutes, audiences meet the Sunday school savior, the compassionate but ailing mother, the tortured father, one foul-mouthed parrot, and many more. As you follow him through his journey, you’ll hear the music that shaped his healing, and, as the church bells chime across the street, experience the powerful 20 seconds that mended a scarred relationship between a father and son.

"Tom Sweitzer is a composer and artist with vision, and he delivers an emotional and compelling autobiographical performance. He survived extraordinary challenges in his childhood and discovered a talent for music that, as a Music Therapist, enables him generously to give others what he never received. This is a portrait of resilience and forgiveness." - Renée Fleming

Grab tickets to "20 Seconds" at www.20SecondsPlay.com

Tune in to find out only on “The Roundtable with Robert Bannon!”

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