The Roundtable with Robert Bannon

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The Roundtable with Robert Bannon episodes

April 17, 2025 Ep 472- Stuart Zagnit Talks Professor Oak/Pokemon, Broadway, & "Balls The Musical!"
Broadway actor and legendary voice talent Stuart Zagnit—best known as the original voice of Professor Oak in the “Pokémon” television series—will officially join the cast of BALLS: The Monster-Catchin’ Musical Comédy for an initial limited pop-up performance at CAVEAT NYC, the acclaimed Lower East Side comedy venue that “champions nerdy, funny art – and sells cheap drinks” on April 18 and 19, 2025.BALLS is a genre-smashing, nostalgia-packed, interactive experience where original music, chaotic comedy, and monster-catchin’-inspired satire collide. Zagnit’s casting brings a one-two punch of Broadway polish and iconic nostalgia to the immersive parody already making waves in New York’s alt-theatre scene. Known across the globe for voicing the wise and whimsical Professor Oak, Zagnit is also a seasoned stage veteran whose Broadway credits include Newsies, Seussical, Caroline, or Change, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, The Wild Party, and Little Shop of Horrors. On-screen, Zagnit has appeared in “The Blacklist,” “Bull,” “Instinct,” “Jessica Jones,” “The Good Wife,” “Elementary,” “Blue Bloods,” “30 Rock,” and “Law & Order” (five times!).BALLS, creators Brandon Zelman & Harrison Bryan say there’s a lot more than a familiar voice to look forward to. “Stuart is a generational talent. Never in our wildest dreams could we imagine the ACTUAL Professor playing… OUR Professor. It’s going to be a cathartic experience, watching Stuart Zagnit invite audiences into our satiric world of dreams and adventure - a unique world, it feels, we built just for him, for this very moment.”Zagnit, who has portrayed Professor Oak for decades in various formats, is just as thrilled to return to his roots in this fresh and fearless reimagining. “I’ve always loved playing The Professor,” said Zagnit. “But THIS universe is on another level. BALLS takes everything fans love and gives it a wild twist. I’m so excited to be part of it!” Joining Stuart Zagnit (“Pokémon,” Newsies, Seussical) as “Professor” are previously announced cast members Teresa Attridge (Avenue Q, Fun Home) as his grandson, “Rival,” Harrison Bryan (Hand to God, NYIT Award Winner) as “Warlordturtle,” Ebony Deloney (Hairspray, Beautiful) as “Bulletshell,” Kurt Cruz (Asian AF, UCB) as “Pocket Pedia,” and Katie Luke (Bandstand, Hairspray) as “Spittle.”BALLS is proud to partner with local marine life rescue and turtle rehabilitation centers to raise funds and awareness for wildlife conservation—because even Warlordturtles need a little love.BALLS: The Monster-Catchin’ Musical Comédy will be presented on Friday, April 18 at 7 pm, and Saturday, April 19 at 4 pm & 9:30 pm. Live-stream tickets are also available, so fans around the globe can join the journey. CAVEAT NYC is located at 21 A Clinton St, New York, NY 10002. Tickets are on sale now at ballsmusical.com.BALLS: The Monster-Catchin’ Musical Comédy is a parody written as a transformative work under US Fair Use laws. “BALLS” is not authorized, sanctioned, licensed or endorsed by any brand, organization, franchise, underground cock fighting ring, or person, living or dead.Follow @ballsmusical on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
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30 min
April 16, 2025 Ep 471- Miguel Angel Garcia Talks Starring In "Die Like A Man"
We love a good movie! We have one for you and the star here on The Roundtable! "Die Like A Man" is a hard-hitting, coming-of-age story that explores the codes of masculinity, gang culture, and the realities of a rapidly changing Los Angeles.
On his 17th birthday, Freddy (Miguel Angel Garcia) is given a .38 revolver, a handful of bullets, and a single command—eliminate his mentor’s rival, a rehabilitated gangster, or risk being seen as weak. Under the control of Solo (Hardrict), a ruthless gang leader who has become his father figure, Freddy is forced to navigate the perilous world of gang allegiance, love, and survival, while his single mother fights to pull him back from the brink.
Miguel Angel Garcia is ready to be the next big thing! He most recently co-starred opposite Dennis Quaid and Jay Hernandez in 2023's SXSW Film Festival Audience Award winner, The Long Game and premiered in theaters in 2024. Previously he starred in the Hulu series Promised Land as "Joe, Jr." opposite John Ortiz ("Joe Sr.").
Next, Garcia co-stars in the Annie Gonzales lead feature in the title role of Jenni (2025), the official biopic of iconic Mexican-American singer-songwriter, actor, producer and women's rights activist, Jenni Rivera (Mucho Mas Media). Miguel also stars alongside Violet McGraw (M3GAN) in the independent feature A Wonderful Way With Dragons directed by Delphine Paolini.
Prior credits include: starring opposite Dennis Quaid in the Endeavor Content/Sony Provident feature Blue Miracle for Netflix becoming one of the streamers TOP 5 trending films in 2021, and also starred as the central-lead role of 'Freddy' in the independent feature Die Like A Man written & directed by Eric Nazarian (writer, Three Christs starring Richard Gere, Peter Dinklage, Bradley Whitford, directed & produced by Jon Avent).
Based in Los Angeles, Miguel is a 2020 BFA Graduate from the USC School of Dramatic Arts.
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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

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21 min
April 16, 2025 BONUS CHAT: New Film "Relative Control" Is Now Out! We Get The Scoop!
A middle-aged, type-A attorney's life spirals as she juggles her handful of an ex-cop father, forgetful mother, unemployed son, a reignited romance, and a hostile takeover in the biggest corporate control battle of her career.

RELATIVE CONTROL captures the humor, heartbreak, and chaos of balancing family caregiving and career with poignant authenticity. With over 30 million family caregivers in the U.S., RELATIVE CONTROL offers a relatable and timely story for multigenerational audiences.

RELATIVE CONTROL stars Teri Polo (Meet the Parents trilogy, the Fosters, Good Trouble, The Big Leap) who shines as a middle-aged, type-A attorney whose perfectly ordered life spirals hilariously out of control. The film also stars Patrick F. McDade (Mare of Easttown, Concrete Cowboy, Paterno), and Brian Anthony Wilson (Limitless, Law Abiding Citizen, The Wire).

We have Director Dafna Yachin & Writer Charlene Davis here to tell us all about it!

Gravitas Ventures will release RELATIVE CONTROL on digital platforms on April 11, 2025. The film has a running time of 109 minutes and will not be rated by the MPAA. The film won the Blue Hen Award for Best Regional Narrative at the 2024 Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival and also screened at the 2025 Sedona International Film Festival.

To view the trailer, go to: https://youtu.be/wBq2dOcgUKA

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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
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24 min
April 15, 2025 Ep 470- Caragh Donley Talks "He Said, She Says" Now Playing In NYC!
Writer, performer and four-time Emmy-winning TV producer and GLAAD Award Nominee, Caragh Donley will premiere He Said, She Says, a titillating true trans tale, in New York City in April. The deeply personal and boldly humorous production features original music by Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Nancy Wilson, co-founder of the iconic band Heart. Directed by acclaimed Off-Broadway artist Robert Galinsky (The Bench: A Homeless Love Story) and produced by award-winning producers Gina Rugolo Judd and Galinsky, He Said, She Says will play April 5, 7, 15, and 19 at wild project as part of 2025 New York City Fringe.

At age 63, after a lifetime of secrecy, Caragh Donley came out as transgender, choosing to embrace her true self with courage and candor. In He Said, She Says, Donley takes audiences on a journey that is both deeply personal and universally resonant, exploring themes of identity, transformation, and the resilience of the human spirit through her extraordinary life story. Donley’s Spalding Gray-esque storytelling style, infused with humor and vulnerability, challenges societal perceptions of gender while offering a profound reminder: it is never too late to embrace who you truly are.

He Said, She Says stands as a testament to the transformative power of live theater, inviting viewers to engage with the world through a lens of empathy and understanding while bridging divides and fostering a deeper connection to a shared humanity.

Caragh shared her journey of coming out as transgender on the“The Kelly Clarkson Show” where she explained how a conversation with Sharon Stone about living authentically became the catalyst for her decision to transition. During the pandemic, with time to reflect on her life, Caragh was inspired by Stone's words to commit to her truth. The supportive environment fostered by Kelly Clarkson and the show gave Caragh the courage to finally step into her authentic self.

With more than 20 years of experience in journalism and television, Caragh has written for The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, People, Vanity Fair, The Hollywood Reporter, Boston Globe, TV Guide, and Emmy Magazine. Her colorful career includes sharing bologna sandwiches with an O.J. Simpson juror's family, scaling a 250-foot Brazilian church tower, and drinking with Jon Bon Jovi on a Utah mountaintop—all in pursuit of great stories.

As a senior producer for “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Caragh has been recognized with four Emmy Awards. Her behind-the-scenes credits also include “VH1’s Behind the Music,” “The Queen Latifah Show,” “The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn,” and “The Martin Short Show.” Along the way, she’s authored The Can’t-idates: Running for President When Nobody Knows Your Name and co-written, I’m Screaming As Fast As I Can: My Life in B-Movies with cult icon Linnea Quigley, and You Live, You Learn: The Alanis Morissette Story.

Now a proud New Yorker, Caragh spends her free time embarrassing her children with groan-worthy puns, '80s pop music, and tales of the time Queen Latifah taught her to dance.on.

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

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28 min
April 14, 2025 Ep 469- Opening Night At "Old Friends!" Bernadette! Lea! Beth!
Celebrate the life and work of the great Stephen Sondheim, with an irresistible company headlined by none other than Tony Award® winners Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga. Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends comes to Broadway from London’s West End, where it earned a bevy of 5-star raves and was hailed by The Times as “unmissable musical theatre.”

Joining Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga will be co-stars Jacob Dickey, Kevin Earley, Jasmine Forsberg, Kate Jennings Grant, Bonnie Langford, Beth Leavel, Gavin Lee, Jason Pennycooke, Joanna Riding, Jeremy Secomb, Kyle Selig, Maria Wirries, Daniel Yearwood, Paige Faure, Alexa Lopez, Greg Mills and Peter Neureuther.

Then we jump on the red carpet! We are talking stars! Andrew Rannells, Alex Newell, Matt Doyle, Patrick Page, Victoria Clark, James Monroe Iglehart, Alaska, Ryan Vasquez, Raul Esperanza, Chip Zien, and more!

A Special Night! A Special Show! A Celebration Of A Special Man!

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
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1 hr 3 min
April 13, 2025 Ep 468- Writer & Actor Christopher Tramantana Talks "Caper!"
Christopher Tramantana who stars in, produced and co-created the independent film CAPER had its world premiere at SXSW in the Feature Narrative Spotlight category.
He has the craziest story of the craziest movie!The first day of filming was the day the writers strike ended. Every producer and the DP said it was a 27 day shoot and they were crazy to try to do it in three weeks yet they did it in only 15 days and actually stayed ahead of schedule. 15 nights 4 PM to 5 AM. On a SAG low budget. They rehearsed the core six ensemble members for 3 months in preparation.The director, Dean Imperial, who is Chris’s writing partner & co-creator is a very old and dear friend. They met at Fordham College at Lincoln Center. This project was a reunion for the two of them. They graduated and went separate ways but reconnected over the pandemic because of the death of a fellow classmate and friend and decided to create a project together. This is the first feature Dean has ever directed. This is the first time Christopher has been at the creation helm. First time as a producer. First time in a leading role in a film. This whole film is a first and we have Christopher, my NJ brethren, here to tell us all about it!
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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
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21 min
April 12, 2025 Ep 467- Director/Writer Tom Stuart Talks "Good Boy!"
We love creatives and writers! We have an amazing tale for you today!

Director Tom Stuart’s hotly anticipated quirky short ‘GOOD BOY’ takes you on the lighthearted journey of a desperate young man (Ben Whishaw) as he drives his battered VW van with his mother (Marion Bailey) in the back, a dead pigeon in the passenger seat, and a growing sense of desperation. Inspired by a personal experience of grief, this fabulous short is screening to be nominated for a 2024 Academy® Award.

Danny's attempt to rob a bank with his overbearing mum is scuppered by the appearance of their family doctor. As he desperately seeks a way forward, Danny finds himself confronted by bizarre manifestations from his past, and we start to sense that everything is not as it seems…

‘GOOD BOY’ is the directorial-debut of Tom Stuart, co-writer of 'MAINSTREAM’ which premiered at the 77th Venice Film Festival in 2020. The comedy-drama stars three-time BAFTA-winner Ben Whishaw (WOMEN TALKING, PASSAGES) and two-time SAG award-winner Marion Bailey (Netflix’s THE CROWN). It is Produced By Kay Loxley, Max Marlow, Elettra Pizzi and Tom Stuart for 130 Elektra Films, with Executive Producers Alex Gonzalez, acclaimed filmmaker Gia Coppola, and CEO of Goldcrest Films, Chris Quested. ‘GOOD BOY’ is proudly endorsed by Bristol-based grief charity 'Let's Talk About Loss', and edited by BAFTA-winning editor Selina MacArthur (THIS IS GOING TO HURT).

GOOD BOY has qualified to be considered for a BAFTA® for Best British Short Film, and a 2024 Academy® Award for Best Live Action Short Film.

The film is now streaming on Disney+ and is a must see!

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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
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21 min
April 11, 2025 Ep 466- Music Superstar Durand Bernarr Hits The Road With A New Tour!
GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter Durand Bernarr just announced his You Gon Grow Too Tour, spanning 32 dates across the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe. The tour follows the release of his third studio album, BLOOM, a project dedicated to the many forms of love. Fans can expect Bernarr to be in his element, delivering his signature mellow yet electrifying progressive R&B sound.

The tour kicks off April 23 in Sacramento, CA, with stops in cities like Brooklyn, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Toronto before heading overseas in October. The international leg includes shows in Germany, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and the U.K., wrapping up on October 30 in Bristol, England.

Adding to the excitement, Bernarr is bringing an impressive roster of special guests on select dates, including Shae Universe, GAWD, Dezs, Gene Noble, Jack Freeman, Charlie Vettuno, comedian Nore Davis, and more.

Tickets for You Gon Grow Too Tour are on sale now and available at durandbernarr.com/tour. Fans also have the option to purchase meet-and-greet experiences at select stops.

With a powerhouse lineup, new music, and a reputation for delivering unforgettable live performances, You Gon Grow Too Tour is shaping up to be one of Bernarr’s most exciting runs yet.

Secure your tickets now at durandbernarr.com/tour before they sell out!

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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
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21 min
April 10, 2025 Ep 465- Carl Payne, Jill Marie Jones, & Flex Alexander Hit The Road!
Je’Caryous Johnson’s Games Women Play dives into the chaos of love, ambition, and trust. When Caleb proposes to his fiancée Paisley with a shocking prenup twist, their picture-perfect romance spirals into a battle of hearts and motives. With comedy, drama, and jaw-dropping twists, this story asks: Are you playing the game of love, or is it playing you? Je’Caryous Johnson’s Games Women Play is a laugh-out-loud, emotionally charged journey through the complexities of modern relationships.

This show is on the road and touring the US! It rolls into Detroit this weekend before Chicago, North Carolina, Ohio, Atlanta, and more! This is going to be a fun night out with an all-star cast!

We have three TV Superstars with us today! From "Martin" to dozens of other classics, Carl Payne is here to tell us how he directed, starred in, and took this show on the road! We also find out Cockroaches real name! If you know, you know!

Jill Marie Jones made us laugh every week on "Girlfriends." Toni was a trip! She went on to do so many other TV shows and movies, but did you know she started as a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader? We get the full scoop!

Then, Flex Alexander has conquered comedy, TV, film, even dance. We loved "One On One" for years! He is a trip! Did you know he was found by Spinderella and hit the road with Salt and Peppa? Phew! What a career!

We break this all down and have a hoot of a good time! You need to roll out and check out the show! I promise you, dates, girlfriends, night out, this is the show to see!

For tickets and info: https://jecaryous.com/theater/games-women-play/

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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
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22 min
April 09, 2025 Ep 464- Flora Le Talks Her One Person Show "Sadec 1965" At The United Solo Fest!
United Solo Festival presents Sadec 1965: A Love Story, an award-winning solo show written and performed by DC-based storyteller Flora Le.

A 2,000-mile solo journey described as Cheryl Strayed’s ‘Wild’ but on a motorcycle on Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh trail, Sadec 1965: A Love Story will be staged at the United Solo Festival on Friday, April 11, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at Theatre One at Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd Street in NYC.

In 2013, Flora embarked on a solo 2,000-mile motorcycle journey across Vietnam, seeking to understand her father's incessant silence about his homeland. Desperate to connect with her heritage and to make peace with her father, for six weeks she traveled from North Vietnam to his southern hometown of Sadec. What she discovered was the story she’s been longing to tell. But something was missing. Years later, Flora discovers love letters between him and Hien, the high school sweetheart he left behind during the War. These letters have revealed the mysteries of her father, and decades later have become the lost history Flora needs to finally tell her story.

“In Sadec 1965, I'm not just telling my story or my father's story,” shares Le. “I'm exploring how war, displacement, and unspoken trauma echo through generations, and how love can sometimes be the only bridge across that silence."

Nominated for the 2023 Young-Howze “Storyteller of the Year” Award, and awarded “Best Production Overall” and “Best Solo Performance” at the 2022 Kelowna Fringe Festival, Sadec 1965, A Love Story has been staged at Fringe festivals in Victoria, Nanaimo, Calgary, Hamilton, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Kelowna, San Diego, and New York City. Additional performances have been staged in Arlington, VA; Capon Bridge, WV; Montreal’s 6th Vietnamese Cultural Weeks; and the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation in Lame Deer, Montana.

Sadec 1965 is being transformed into an immersive audio drama series. Listen to the trailer here.

The runtime is 65 minutes with no intermission.

General admission tickets are $52.50, which includes a $5.00 service charge. For tickets, visit UnitedSolo.org.

Direct ticketing link: https://unitedsolo.org/the-18th-annual-united-solo-theatre-festival/sadec-1965-a-love-story/
More information: Sadec1965.com

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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
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25 min

About The Roundtable with Robert Bannon

From the publisher's feed

Performer Robert Bannon sits down with the best and brightest artists to have in-depth, fun, craft filled chats with stars of Broadway, Stage, Screen, and Social Media. It could be the Tony Winner of the Moment to a Tik Tok Star going viral, literally there is something for everyone! This show is not about gossip, scandal, or gotcha questions. This is a show about the journey, the craft, and a whole lot of fun!