The Roundtable with Robert Bannon

We love a BPN Crossover Moment! Did you know there is a whole podcast about Cats? Specifically was Grizabella the wrong cat to die? Well, that is here on BPN hosted by Mike Abrams! Mike, who is a huge sports fan, came to NY working in tech and sees the revival of Cats. He had questions and the rest is history!

Grizabella was the wrong cat to die. After seeing CATS the Musical for the first time in July of 2016, podcast host Mike Abrams was filled with a whirlwind of emotions. He was amused, confused, and a little angry. Almost exactly three years later when the 2019 CATS movie trailer came out, Mike had enough. It was time to speak his truth – Grizabella was the wrong Cat to Die at the Jellicle Ball. In this podcast, Mike interviews CATS cast members, CATS superfans, CATS haters, and explores the backstories of the Jellicle characters all to make a case for why they were more worthy to ascend to the Heaviside Layer than Grizabella.

We find out his journey to podcasts, Broadway, and cats here on The Roundtable!

Check out Robert's chat with Mike and see if Robert thinks the wrong cat died on this special BPN podcast crossover!

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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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" I conned my way into the Winter Garden on the back of my parents' wedding anniversary so that I got to experience CATS in person." This episode features Robert Bannon who is the host of The Roundtable which is another Broadway Podcast Network show. Hear how Robert conned his way into seeing CATS for the first time, his thoughts on all productions including the 2019 movie and the PAC Cats: "The Jellicle Ball," and how he acquired pieces of the original CATS set. Plus, Robert does a deep dive into his thoughts on Jennifer Hudson's performance in the 2019 CATS movie.

Produced by:

Alan Seales & Broadway Podcast Network

Social Media: @TheWrongCatDied

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Ben Stanton, the Lighting Designer for Maybe Happy Ending stops by!

Ben is a lighting designer for theater, concerts, dance, installations, and events. He is a four-time Tony Award nominee as well as an Obie, Lortel, IRNE, and Ovation Award winner. Ben is currently represented on Broadway by Maybe Happy Ending at the Belasco Theater. Recent Broadway credits include The Notebook (the Schoenfeld Theater) Mary Jane (starring Rachel McAdams), Days of Wine and Roses(Starring Kelli O'Hara & Brian Darcy James), Goodnight, Oscar (starring Sean Hayes); The Collaboration (Starring Paul Bettany & Jeremy Pope); Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol (Featuring Jefferson Mays); The Rose Tattoo (starring Marisa Tomei); Derren Brown: Secret (James Earl Jones Theater); Regina Spektor: Live On Broadway (Lunt-Fontanne Theater); Ayad Akhtar’s Junk (Lincoln Center); Six Degrees of Separation (starring Allison Janney, Corey Hawkins, and John Benjamin Hickey); Deaf West Theater’s Spring Awakening (Lena Horne Theater); Fully Committed(starring Jesse Tyler Ferguson); and Fun Home (Broadway, Off-Broadway, 1st National Tour, London).

Ben has designed concerts and tours for recording artists including Beirut, Ben Platt, Iron and Wine, The National, Regina Spektor, Sufjan Stevens, and St. Vincent, and has collaborated on several large-scale concert/theater hybrid performances including Road Trip featuring Bang On A Can All-Stars (BAM Opera House / Ford Theater, LA), Reconfiguration – An Evening with Other Lives (BAM Opera House), Planetarium featuring Bryce Dessner, Nico Mulhy, & Sufjan Stevens (BAM Opera House / Disney Concert Hall, LA / Sydney Opera House), and Black Mountain Songs featuring Bryce Dessner, Richard Reed Parry, & the Brooklyn Youth Chorus (BAM Harvey Theater / Barbican, London).

Ben serves as an Assistant Professor at Brooklyn College where he teaches lighting design and programming, and he’s the founder and principal designer at Stanton Collaborative, a full-service design firm specializing in concerts, events, and art installations. Ben graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst with degrees in theater and jazz performance.

Hear all about how his journey led him to Broadway, how a show is mounted, and what a day in the life is like!

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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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The hit Netflix thriller WOMAN OF THE DEAD – which is currently #3 on Netflix’s intl series charts – following its Season 2 premiere that’s been receiving rave reviews, is a hit around the world!

In a vengeful quest to find out who killed her husband, WOMAN OF THE DEAD follows a woman who ends up exposing her small community's deepest and ugliest secrets. The new season raises the stakes after parts of an unknown corpse are discovered in the coffin of a deceased person – and one woman finds herself at the center of a dangerous conspiracy, hunted by both the police and a ruthless criminal underworld.

Season 2 raises the stakes as Blum is haunted by her past. When parts of an unknown corpse are discovered in the coffin of a deceased person, Blum becomes the target of a police investigation. The situation escalates when her daughter Nela is kidnapped, and Blum is forced into a deadly game: to save her daughter’s life, she must deliver a video she doesn’t possess. Pursued by Inspector Wallner and entangled in the sinister schemes of the shady businessman Sarkissian, Blum must confront her darkest fears. To save Nela, she is willing to do anything.

Well we have the eyes, brains, and heart of the show with us this week! Benito & Wolfgang, the showrunners, are here to tell us all!

Producers Benito Mueller and Wolfgang Mueller are known for their high-concept films and TV shows that cater to global audiences. Their notable projects include the Netflix series Woman of the Dead, Inherit the Viper (starring Josh Hartnett and Bruce Dern), the TV adaptation of Das Boot for Sky TV, and Life, a James Dean biopic starring Robert Pattinson.

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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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United Solo Festival presents Casualty of War, the story of a mother’s sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking trip to Normandy’s D-Day beaches with her unwilling teenage son, written and performed by Sharon Lesser* (Off Broadway: In the Daylight, Twelfth Night, Tartuffe). With direction by Austin Tooley and dramaturgy by Anisa Rose Threlkeld, Casualty of War will be staged at the United Solo Festival on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 7:00 p.m and Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 8:30 p.m. at Theatre One at Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd Street in NYC. 

Sharon’s got a perfect itinerary planned: A mother-son tour of Normandy and Omaha Beach, with some road tripping, great French food and a visit to Paris. What she gets is a journey with a sullen, heart-broken adolescent whose own emotional D-Day turns him into a hostile adversary pining for home. There’s a war brewing and it’s not between the Germans and the Allies. While trying to make the best of things by attempting to outmaneuver her son’s everchanging moods (i.e., being a mom), she’s surprised by how the WW2 history they encounter invokes memories of antisemitism and the impact the Holocaust had on her family. Casualty of War explores the timeless themes of motherhood, intergenerational trauma and identity. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll crave rosé.

The runtime is 68 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/casualty-of-war/

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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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Claes Bang (Dracula, The Square), Jonah Hauer-King (The Little Mermaid, I Know What You Did Last Summer, and BAFTA-winning Writer/Director/Producer Nick Hamm (Driven, The Journey) – tell us all about WILLIAM TELL, only in theaters on April 4th following its world premiere at TIFF last year.

About The Film:

The year is 1307 and the Holy Roman Empire is in turmoil. As its grip on Europe loosens,emerging dynasties such as the Austrian Habsburg Family encroach on new lands, desperate for power.In Switzerland, the once peaceful country is overwhelmed and bows under the Austrian might,as it advances and upends the quiet lives of the Swiss peasants. When a local huntsman, William Tell, sees an innocent farmer begging for help after murdering a cruel Austrian governor, he reluctantly agrees to guide him to a safe location. But in carrying out this act, Tell meets more comrades from the Swiss resistance along the way, and is inevitably drawn into the fight against the invaders.

After constantly attempting to dissuade his peers from war, Tell is drawn further into the madness when he publicly refuses to bend the knee to the Austrian authority. As a punishment,the pernicious Austrian Viceroy Gessler orders him to test his skill bys hooting an apple from his son’s head. Tell knows that once his family has been threatened, there is no turning back.

The world-famous legend of the inspiring crossbow-warrior is turned into a big budget epic by BAFTA-award winner Nick Hamm, starring a top-notch international cast led by Claes Bang,Golshifteh Farahani,Connor Swindells,Jonah Hauer-King, Ellie Bamber, Rafe Spall, Emily Beecham, Jonathan Pryce and Ben Kingsley.

The film is out and everywhere movies are seen! Check it out today!

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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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Described by The New York Times as "the result of the black-pop continuum, slow-cooked for more than 50 years," José James has built a career blending jazz, soul, hip-hop, and R&B into a contagious mix of music for "party and politics." 

On May 16th, he’ll release his most ambitious album yet, 1978: Revenge Of The Dragon—a bold, genre-bending project shaped by his deep study of Kung Fu and QiGong and inspired by the cultural landscape of his 1978 birth year. Recorded live to tape in one take at Dreamland Studios, the album channels the grit of ’70s underground culture and the raw spirit of downtown NYC's Mudd Club, weaving original compositions with reimagined classics by The Rolling Stones and Michael Jackson!

1978: Revenge Of The Dragon dives into the cultural heartbeat of 1978, celebrating the era's two biggest obsessions: disco and kung fu cinema. Inspired by the double-feature screenings that brought Black audiences together to find heroes and express complex emotions, José taps into the spirit of Bruce Lee and the golden age of blaxploitation and martial arts films. The album isn't just a musical statement—it's a love letter to the cultural crosscurrents that shaped a generation, blending the improvisational spark of jazz with the cinematic flair of kung fu's power and discipline. It will also be packaged with a brand-new kung fu short film directed by José and starring him and his bandmates. José conceived the album while living in Pasadena, drawing inspiration from the city’s vibrant cultural landscape.

This project marks a new creative peak for José – not just musically, but personally. With his signature silky-yet-commanding voice, José brings a sense of discipline and explosive energy to the record, reflecting how martial arts philosophy has transformed his artistry. From his early days on Blue Note to his independent journey with Rainbow Blonde Records, José has continually redefined the boundaries of modern jazz and soul.

José just released his 2nd single off the album, “Rock With You (feat. Takuya Kuroda)!”

Trust me, this is a must listen! Grab tickets to a show, stream the music, and get ready for THE DRAGON!

Follow Josè on IG- @josejamesmusic.com or at his website www.josejamesmusic.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

TikTok-@RobertMBannon

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We LOVE Luenell. She is the original Bad Girl of Comedy! She has been in this game for over 30 years. She sells out around the country, has a residency at Jimmy Kimmel's Comedy Club in Vegas, and star in films like "Borat," TV shows like "Hacks," and more!

Well attention NYC! Attention Detroit! Attention America! Auntee Lue is hitting the road. April 11th she will be at the Soundboard at the Motor City Casino in Detroit. Then in May, she is back at the Apollo Theatre in NYC! What is she talking about? We find out!

Plus, she tells us how to juggles it all, her hustle, and what she said when she got a call from Wendy Williams! This is a MUST SEE/LISTEN chat!

For Tickets & Info: www.HeyLuenell.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

TikTok-@RobertMBannon

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Today we are talking the highly anticipated new single from new DMV-based Inspirational R&B artist, Steven Thad entitled “Smile”, now available on all streaming platforms. As the world constantly presents changes in government, the economy, airlines, and more, “Smile” is slated to shift the narrative to offer a healing balm of positivity amidst a world of uncertainty.   

“Smile” is now currently available to be streamed on all digitally streamed platforms. There will also be a concept music video to be released in the coming weeks. For more information on Steven Thad, be sure to follow him on Instagram at @steven_thad.

About Steven Thad

Steven Thad, born Stephen Leslie, Jr., has always been a musical individual. As a kid growing up in the DMV area, he and his sisters, Sierra and Shanté, developed their love for music while accompanying their parents to many choir rehearsals. As a result of their musical upbringing and the support of their dedicated parents, he and his sisters were able to garner success as the Billboard-charting gospel group, Trilogy.

Thad’s solo musical journey began when he left for college in 2014. There he started to develop his own musical identity for the first time. In 2018 he began to shadow Grammy-nominated producer Dana Soréy which helped him gain the confidence to start making his own beats, perfect his sound and release his own albums and EPs of cover tunes. In October 2022 he released his first album with his own original music entitled, “Love R&B” which showcased his love for the genre with tracks like “RNB”, “Do You Remember” and “Goodbye, Farewell”. With the help of Soréy, he released “Love, R&B: Deluxe” that elevated each song to an even higher dimension of musicality.

As Steven Thad continues to evolve and create, all signs are showing that this is just the beginning of an illustrious career for the rising star!

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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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Tony Award®-nominated Broadway actress, singer and author Melissa Errico (My Fair Lady, Dracula, Les Misérables) will take the stage at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center (located on NOVA's Alexandria Campus) on May 7, with her mesmerizing new musical presentation, The Story of a Rose: A Musical Reverie on The Great War - tickets on sale here.

In a unique mix of beautiful song and brilliant speech, Melissa relates the story of the too-often-overlooked epoch of World War One, in all its many-sided American complexity, in an original musical presentation produced by The Doughboy Foundation to benefit its work in support of America’s National World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C. The show is also presented by the Gary Sinise Foundation, which was established by Actor and Humanitarian Gary Sinise to honor our nation’s defenders, veterans, first responders, and their families by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire and support these heroes.

A sparkling, orchestral one-woman concert with evocative visuals, ravishing period costumes, and an all-star jazz ensemble, “The Story of a Rose” is both stylish entertainment and a deep reflection on a war we must not forget. As ever, Melissa’s touch will be intelligent and sensual, as she narrates her subject with the deep resonance of a mother of three teenagers, the same age today as the soldiers whose lives she sings.

From the arrival of Italian and Jewish immigrants before the war to the birth of distinctly American song during it, from the flight from Europe in the “oughts” of the twentieth century to the return of American soldiers to Europe in the teens -- from the nascent glories of Irving Berlin and Jerome Kern to the great Harlem Hellfighters and their introduction of American jazz to France right on the battlefields of the Western Front – every face of the Great War, the people who lived through it, and, above all, the music that they sang, will come alive. Using her own great Aunt Rose as her avatar and the Ziegfeld Follies that Rose starred in as a frame, Melissa recreates the songs and hopes and loves of the people of the time.

Under the musical direction of the great jazz pianist Tedd Firth (Marilyn Maye, Bernadette Peters, Michael Feinstein) and his big-band period ensemble, Melissa will share wartime tunes of patriotism and protest, loss and longing, from “Oh, How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning!” to “I Didn’t Raise My Boy to Be a Soldier,” “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” to a soaring “They Didn’t Believe Me,” all ending in a rousing chorus of “God Bless America” – a song Berlin wrote for the First World War. Acclaimed Broadway actor/musician George Abud (Lempicka, The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical, The Band’s Visit) assists in a variety of onstage roles.

Throughout, Melissa tells us the story of her Rose, her aunt — a story of a family legend, by turns mischievous and melancholy, which becomes the story of a lost time. “Music,” she declares affirmatively, “is the one force that can connect our private memories to our common history. Every time we sing their songs; the people of a lost time live again.” “The Story of a Rose” will make the stage ring with history, and with hope.

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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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