The Roundtable with Robert Bannon

Hosted by Emmy Award-winning journalist Frank DiLella and directed, produced, and written by Cody Williams, Playing the Palace is a feature documentary chronicling the history and recent transformation of Broadway’s Palace Theatre, which will premiere May 13, 2025, at 6 pm ET on ALL ARTS. From its vaudeville roots to its present-day renovation, the Palace has served as a stage for generations of legendary performers, including Judy Garland, Bob Hope, Lauren Bacall, and Liza Minnelli. 

Co-owners James L. Nederlander and Stewart F. Lane, along with performers and creatives including Bernadette Peters, Joel Grey, Heather Headley, Ben Platt, and Ethan Slater, discuss the Palace Theatre’s legacy in exclusive interviews featured throughout the film. Archival performance footage and commentary from Broadway insiders follow the landmarked theater’s evolution and its $2.5 billion redevelopment project, which preserved the historic venue and raised the entire building 30 feet above Times Square.

Playing the Palace has been the dream of many performers since the theatre opened in 1913. For many years the Palace Theatre was the preeminent vaudeville theatre in the country and an engagement in this theatre meant that a performer had “made it.” The who’s who of entertainment royalty have performed on this stage, including Ethel Barrymore, Harry Houdini, Will Rogers, Ethel Merman, Judy Garland, Jerry Lewis, Harry Belafonte, Bette Midler, Shirley MacLaine, and Diana Ross.

In 1965, James M. Nederlander turned it into a legitimate theatre for the opening of Sweet Charity starring Gwen Verdon. Since then, it has housed star-studded hits including Lauren Bacall in Applause and Woman of the Year, Richard Kiley in Man of La Mancha, George Hearn in La Cage aux Folles, and Keith Carradine in The Will Rogers Follies. In 1994, the theatre was transformed to house Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, which was followed by their musical, Aida. Glengarry Glen Ross is currently playing at the Palace Theatre.

Catch it On-Demand on AllArts.org!

____________________________________________________________________

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

Releasing May 6th from Sony Pictures, BROKE is a contemporary western following the story of True Brandywine (Wyatt Russell), a bareback bronc rider clinging to his fading rodeo career. When True gets trapped in a freak spring blizzard, he must battle injuries, illness, and the bitter cold. While fighting for his survival, True is forced to face his choices and the circumstances that led him to his tenuous situation.

Check out the trailer here [linked].

Carlyle Eubank is a writer, director, and producer. He has ridden horses since before he could walk. In his youth he would often help neighbors gather, sort, ship and brand their cattle and continues to do so today.Carlyle went east to attend Amherst College where he studied English Literature, was captain of the Cross Country Team and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Afterwards, he retuned west to the Central Coast of California. 

Carlyle began his film career helping his brother William by building sets and makeshift effects. The brothers united and cowrote The Signal, which premiered at Sundance. Carlyle's other screenwriting credits include Muzzle starring Aaron Eckhart, and Crypto starring Kurt Russell. Broke, starring Dennis Quaid and Wyatt Russell, marks Carlyle's directorial debut.

As an artist, writer, and filmmaker Carlyle Eubank is interested in character studies that focus on resilience, individualism, and the importance of personal growth. As a lifelong student of the West and avid outdoorsman, a sense of place, appreciation for ingenuity, and reverence for nature is apparent in his work, particularly in “Broke.” Along with growing up in the lifestyle, with his father, grandfathers, great grandfathers all passing down their Western traditions, Carlyle’s taste is shaped by an affinity for Russian literature, the Western landscapes of Maynard Dixon, the novels of Louis L’Amour, John Steinbeck - and years of growing up in a remote town and renting every VHS from the local Blockbuster.

____________________________________________________________________

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

"Wynonna Earp” TV Star Canadian actress and singer Martina Ortiz Luis who  is currently appearing in Disney's “The Lion King” 8 shows a week at the historic Princess of Wales Theatre is ready to be the breakout of the upcoming independent movie musical “Juliet and Romeo, ” modern take on the Shakespearean drama, appearing alongside an all-star cast that a that includes Rebel Wilson, Derek Jacobi, Jason Isaacs.

About The Film:

Rugaard and Ward lead a deep ensemble in Juliet & Romeo, joined by a strong mix of experienced and up-and-coming actors including Wilson, Rupert Everett, Jason Isaacs, Dan Fogler, Derek Jacobi, Rupert Graves, Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Tayla Parx, Ledisi, Dennis Andres, Martina Oritiz Luis, Alex Grech, and Max Parker

In “Juliet and Romeo” she plays Veronica and is able to show off her incredible vocal range in a powerful eye-catching number set in the town square. She has an original song written just for her.

This filmed, a movie musical trilogy from Briarcliff Entertainment will be released May 9th, followed by a UK release on June 11th (and additional territories following).

While Martina is best-known for her role as Rachel Valdez in the People's Choice Award-winning series "Wynonna Earp" and as Josie Suero in Roku's "Most Dangerous Game: New York", No surprise, as she is currently appearing in Disney's “The Lion King” 8 shows a week at the historic Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto.

You can also listen to her new single “Mad At Myself”, available across all music streaming platforms.

Get on the bandwagon because this future superstar is ready to take off!

____________________________________________________________________

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

We are Pentatonix fans in this household. We love Scott Hoying and we are so excites to welcome him and his mom Connie to The Roundtable for a Special Mother's Day Edition! We are talking a new book by Connie about her son Scott now available wherever books are sold!

This book depicts the life and career of Scott Hoying, Grammy Award-winning cofounder of Pentatonix, as seen by his mother Connie. More than just a book about her son’s life, Connie tells a heartfelt story of perseverance, dedication to music, LGBTQ+ acceptance, and supportive parenting.

Connie mixes personal experiences about raising Scott and his two siblings with an account of his life—from Scott's childhood in Texas and coming out in high school to meteoric rise to fame with Pentatonix and, finally, married life. As a child, Scott was a musical prodigy. Connie shares what influenced him as a kid, his early musical successes and failures, and the ways she fostered a creative environment along with hard-won lessons as a mother of three. She candidly recounts Scott’s coming out process in high school, including her initial mistakes and concerns along the way but also her journey to understanding and allyship. She details the unlikely formation and explosion of Pentatonix—from their start on The Sing-Off and initial setbacks to incredible success—as well as Scott’s solo work and the duo act Superfruit with Mitch Grassi.

Connie concludes with a reflection on the wonderful, authentic life Scott and his husband Mark Manio have created for themselves and the support & choices that led up to that moment. Along with a foreword by Scott, the book also includes a QR code to an original, previously unreleased song “Pray” which covers themes related to Scott's coming out story.

Connie Hoying is a retired physical therapist and mother of three children. By sharing her experiences and contributions to her son’s growth, Connie is a resource for parents who want to guide their children toward successfully pursuing their passions. She lives in Fort Worth, Texas. Follow Connie Here

 ____________________________________________________________________

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

Character: Life Lessons in Courage, Integrity, and Leadership is a new, inspirational book addressing the need for character as a vital dimension in public and private life. Drawing on his expertise as a leadership advisor, author Robert L. Dilenschneider explores the lives of 31 influential individuals across various fields, from politics and science to religion, whose character-driven leadership left an indelible mark on the world.

Whether in politics, science, religion or a myriad of other fields, our national character seems in jeopardy. What’s missing? What trait did the men and women throughout history have that drove society to be the best that it could be? In his portraits, Dilenschneider explores the achievements of the leaders and groundbreakers who shaped our age, as well as their lessons in life and in business that can provide a blueprint for our future.

In what ways did character manifest itself in Nelson Mandela, who triumphed over the most dire adversities? In Florence Nightingale and Edith Cavell, who transformed the nursing profession during war and in great peril to themselves? How did Walt Disney find the tenacity to become an iconic entrepreneur? How did loyalty to his fellow soldiers in Vietnam inform John McCain’s entire worldview?

Character—a vital dimension in public and private life—unifies their legacies and others. From a respected older generation of mentors comes invaluable advice and hopeful direction for the young leaders, innovators, and influencers of tomorrow.

 Robert L. Dilenschneider formed The Dilenschneider Group in October, 1991. Headquartered in New York, Miami, Chicago, and throughout Connecticut, the Firm provides strategic advice and counsel to Fortune 500 companies and leading families and individuals around the world, with experience in fields ranging from mergers and acquisitions and crisis communications to marketing, government affairs, and international media.

Prior to forming his own firm, Dilenschneider served as president and chief executive officer of Hill and Knowlton, Inc. from 1986 to 1991, tripling that firm’s revenues to nearly $200 million and delivering more than $30 million in profit. Dilenschneider was with that organization for nearly 25 years. 

Dilenschneider started in public relations in 1967 in New York, shortly after receiving an MA in journalism from The Ohio State University and a BA from the University of Notre Dame. RobertLDilenschneider.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

We had a great time last weekend at the Lortel Awards live from NYC! We are up close and personal with the winners, nominees, and presenters. The stars were out! We had a chance to catch up with Kandi Burruss, Jay Ellis, Olivia Washington, Helen J. Shen, Alaska, Nick Adams, Marla Mindelle, Donna McKechnie, Whitney White, and dozens more stars as we celebrate the best and brightest of Off-Broadway!

Check out this chat and the best of theatre in NYC!

____________________________________________________________________

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

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

After captivating audiences in London’s West End, MADDIE: A New Musical makes its Off-Broadway debut, offering a new life for a ghostly leading lady who's back for a second chance at fulfilling her dreams. Twenty-four performances of MADDIE will be staged at The Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal Street in NYC from May 8 - June 8, 2025.

A mysterious love story inspired by the real life of silent screen star Marion Marsh, the British musical is based on Jack Finney’s novel “Marion’s Wall,” and reimagined for a new generation by director and choreographer Andrew Winans (Agatha Christie’s The Hollow, Company of Man, Mike & Mindy). MADDIE features an illustrious original award-winning score by Stephen Keeling, lyrics by Shaun McKenna, book by McKenna and Steven Dexter, and arrangements and orchestrations by Joshua Gregg Fried.

MADDIE takes Manhattan this spring. She’s bold. She’s back. And she’s better than ever.

Performance Schedule:

·       Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:00pm

·       Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00pm

Tickets are $47.00 to $77.00. Full details at www.maddiemusical.com.

Follow @maddiemusicalnyc on Instagram and Facebook for exclusive content, cast announcement, behind-the-scenes access, and ticket updates. 

 ____________________________________________________________________

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

We are thrilled to share that Gravitas Ventures will be releasing GREEK MOTHER'S NEVER DIE, a new dramedy from filmmaker Rachel Suissa (Dangerous Liaisons, Mesrine: Public Enemy No. 1) just in time for Mother's Day On Demand starting May 9th. WATCH TRAILER HERE

Nothing can come between a Greek mother and her daughter, not even death!

In this delightful rom-com, brimming with Greek passion and plenty of family drama, late bloomer Ella dreams of becoming a singer, but her overbearing Greek mother, Despina insists she take over the Gyros business and marry a Greek man. After her sudden death, Despina's larger-than-life presence refuses to fade, haunting Ella with more unsolicited advice from beyond the grave. As Ella struggles to find her path to freedom and self-discovery, her charming childhood love, Nick, reappears, complicating things even further.

Written, directed and starring Rachel Suissa, we chatted with her about how her mother inspired this film, how it started as a stage show, and why we all can see ourselves in this film, no matter where we are from!

This was a hoot!

____________________________________________________________________

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

A LEGEND IS BACK! Obba Babatunde returns to the Roundtable to talk all about his years on “S.W.A.T.” playing Shemar Moore’s father! What does he say about his big upcoming episode!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us on May 19, 2025 at The Town Hall Spring Shout as we host an unforgettable evening, celebrating and amplifying the artistic voices that will shape the future in true Town Hall style. At the heart of the evening, LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA will accept The Town Hall Vanguard Award. Lin-Manuel is a trailblazing artist whose work embodies the very essence of Town Hall’s legacy and mission—blending artistic excellence, community impact, and civic engagement.

We have Director Deanna Weiner to give us a preview of the magic of the night. She also had a first eye view of the rise of LMM!

Featuring performances by original cast members from Hamilton, In the Heights, Freestyle Love Supreme, Warriors and more, this electrifying experience will gather luminaries from the arts with our most dedicated supporters for a not-to-be-missed night of inspiration, impact, and legendary performances on The Town Hall stage, a historic cultural epicenter for more than 100 years.

We will also pay tribute to Town Hall’s Board President Emeritus, Tom Wirtshafter, with the Town Hall Friend of the Arts Award. Tom’s transformative leadership and deep commitment to the performing arts have left an indelible mark on Town Hall.

With surprise guests, groundbreaking performances and heartfelt tributes to Lin-Manuel and Tom, the program will weave together the past, present, and future of Town Hall, creating an experience that is at once historic, exhilarating, and deeply meaningful.

____________________________________________________________________

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