The Roundtable with Robert Bannon

This is a MUST LISTEN chat with an incredible inspiration! ALL HANDS ON DECK BPN FAMILY!

Theater, television, and film actor Aaron Lazar (The Light in the Piazza, A Little Night Music, The Last Ship) shared the complete tracklist and lineup of guest artists for his debut album, Impossible Dream.

Lazar continues to face ALS, and a portion of the album’s proceeds will benefit the ALS Network, an organization committed to helping people live longer and better with ALS by providing comprehensive, integrated, multidisciplinary, community-based care at no cost to the ALS community.

The nine-song album will be released on August 23 and is available for pre-order now.

The duets on the album include Lazar performing with Josh Groban (Sweeney Todd) on Sting’s “Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot”; Neil Patrick Harris (Hedwig and the Angry Inch) on “Fight the Dragons” from Big Fish; Leslie Odom Jr. (Purlie Victorious) on “Get Happy/Happy Days,” from The Nine Fifteen Review; Kelli O’Hara (Days of Wine and Roses) on Leonard Bernstein’s “Make Our Garden Grow”; the late Rebecca Luker on Cole Porter’s “I Am Loved”; Norm Lewis (Porgy and Bess) on “When You Believe” from The Prince of Egypt; Kate Baldwin (Hello, Dolly!) on “I’d Give It All For You” from Songs for a New World; and Loren Allred (The Greatest Showman) on Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

Aaron stopped by to tell us about his journey, why he went public with his battle, and what made him inspired to make this album! He is shedding light, facts, and art with us on The Roundtable! Do not miss this special chat!

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We love us some grown people music!

We have one of the best to ever do it this week! Vivian Green put us on that “Emotional Rollercoaster” with vocals for days! She is on tour this summer with a big show at City Winery in NYC! She has seven full albums out, millions of streams, and sold out dates around the world. She is here on the Roundtable to talk writing, her love of Broadway, and why she stepped back to raise her son!

For More Info: www.viviangreenmusic.com

All this plus so much more, only on The Roundtable with Robert Bannon!

________________________________________________________

Check out “The Roundtable with Robert Bannon” everyday right here on The Broadway Podcast Network!

www.RobertBannon.com or Follow on IG @RobertMBannon or @theroundtablewithrobertbannon

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An emerging and exciting new voice in indie rock, Marc Del Giudice is set to release his latest single "No Pressure" on July 26. The track will be available on all major streaming platforms and this Jersey Boy stopped by The Roundtable to tell us all about it!

"’No Pressure’ is a song about searching for peaceful moments," Marc reflects. "Trying to get away from all the noise in the world and finding ways to heal, unwind and find inspiration.”

Each of Marc's compositions is a captivating journey through landscapes of emotion, characterized by introspective lyricism and distinctive melodies, authenticity and emotional depth. His musical style pays homage to classic rock roots while exploring modern indie frontiers, making his music a unique fusion that appeals to a diverse audience.

Acknowledging the influence of contemporary indie luminaries such as Bleachers and Dayglow, Marc infuses his music with a fresh, modern energy that sets him apart in today's music scene. "No Pressure" promises to deliver a sonic experience that resonates with both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

Marc’s social media and streaming accounts at: https://linktr.ee/marcdelgiudice33

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Check out “The Roundtable with Robert Bannon” everyday right here on The Broadway Podcast Network!

www.RobertBannon.com

Follow on IG @RobertMBannon or @theroundtablewithrobertbannon

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CLUB44 RECORDS is pleased to announce that Broadway star Nick Cartell – currently starring as Jean Valjean on the national tour of Les Misérables – has released “It All Fades Away,” the new single from his upcoming album A Thousand Spotlights – today, Friday, June 28. The rousing love song was written by Jason Robert Brown for the musical The Bridges of Madison County. A Thousand Spotlights, featuring a delightfully diverse mix of Broadway standards and movie classics and boasting a full orchestra, will be available on CD and in streaming and digital platforms on Friday, July 26. A Thousand Spotlights is produced by Brian Eads and Wayne Haun, who also provide orchestrations, with Nick Cartell and Christine Cartell serving as executive producers. Pre-order or pre-save the album at c44.lnk.to/AThousandSpotlights

A Thousand Spotlights features beloved Disney classics that range from the 1950s (a lush “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes,” from Cinderella), to the 1980s (the jubilant “Why Should I Worry?” from Oliver & Company), and the 1990s (a tender “You’ll Be in My Heart,” from Tarzan, with a special guest appearance by Cartell’s young daughter). Other musical highlights include selections from the great American songbook (Irving Berlin’s “Blue Skies”) and contemporary Hollywood (Pasek and Paul’s “Never Enough,” from The Greatest Showman). Musical theater is represented by a slyly swinging “On the Street Where You Live” from My Fair Lady, “Music of the Night” from The Phantom of the Opera, and the Les Misérables ballad “Bring Him Home,” which Cartell stops the show with every night.

 Nick Cartell was seen on Broadway in Paramour, the first musical produced by Cirque Du Soleil, where he was a standby for and performed the three male lead roles. He also appeared in the musical Scandalous, written by NBC TV “Today” host Kathie Lee Gifford, and can be heard on the Original Broadway Cast Recording. Nick made his Broadway debut in the Tony Award-nominated 2012 revival of Jesus Christ Superstar, understudying and performing the roles of Jesus Christ, Judas Iscariot and the High Priest Annas. He has also toured the U.S. and Canada in The Phantom of the Opera.

 ​​​Nick has sung with the South Coast Symphony, the Phoenix Symphony and as a member of the critically acclaimed group The Broadway Boys. In March 2019, he performed his first solo show, Bringing It Home, to a sold-out room at 54 Below. A graduate of Arizona State University with a BFA in Theatre, Nick enjoyed a brief stint in Japan performing with a certain famous Mouse. While there he met his incredible wife, actress/singer Christine Cartell. Together, they produce Broadway Fights Ovarian Cancer, a benefit concert raising funds and awareness for Ovarian Cancer research. Nick and Christine's best collaboration to date is their little girl. Follow Nick on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more updates and adventures.

We had a blast with this musical theatre superstar!

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Check out “The Roundtable with Robert Bannon” everyday right here on The Broadway Podcast Network!

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JEFF HARNAR – Jeff Harnar Sings Sammy Cahn: The Second Time Around – on CD and digital formats on Friday, July 26. The acclaimed singer revisits his 2001 Sammy Cahn recording, long out-of-print: the original album has been remixed, reimagined and expanded upon, reflecting both Harnar’s desire to widen his perspective on the lauded lyricist’s work – new tracks feature special guest appearances by Grammy Award nominee Clint Holmes, the acclaimed vocal trio MOIPEI and Grammy Award winner Nicole Zuraitis – and his own growth as an artist and interpreter. The Second Time Around is currently available!

Harnar will celebrate the album with special concerts at New York’s 54 Below on Friday, July 26 and Saturday, July 27. The album's special guests – Clint Holmes, MOIPEI, and Nicole Zuraitis – will appear on Saturday, July 27, while MOIPEI, Sally Mayes, and Eric Comstock will appear Friday, July 26. Harnar will also feature the Cahn program in London, England at The Pheasantry (9/13-14, 2024) and Boca Raton, FL, at the Adolph & Rose Levis JCC (1/22-23, 2025), with other tour dates to be announced.

 By the numbers alone, Sammy Cahn was one of America’s greatest songwriters: the most Academy Awards for Best Song; nearly 100 tunes recorded by Frank Sinatra; the highest paid songwriter of his day. Working largely with composers Jule Styne and Jimmy Van Heusen, Cahn turned out lyrics that were by turns romantic, witty and punchy, with a touch of melancholy that touched the hearts of millions; songs such as “Come Fly with Me,” “All the Way,” “Call Me Irresponsible,” “Time After Time” and “I Fall in Love Too Easily” – all included here – became embedded in the fabric of the nation.

For More Info: www.jeffharnar.com  

________________________________________________________

Check out “The Roundtable with Robert Bannon” everyday right here on The Broadway Podcast Network!

www.RobertBannon.com or Follow on IG @RobertMBannon or @theroundtablewithrobertbannon

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We love Tanara "Everyone's So Creative" Mallory! Out of all of the guests we have had on our show, we are asked about her the most! She has millions of followers, memes, and people everywhere quote her famous sayings. What is it like to be a virtual sensation? How has it been since she broke from her kitchen, LITERALLY, to hundreds of millions of views? Tanara is here live to tell us all about the journey and how it has been!

All this plus so much more, only on The Roundtable with Robert Bannon!

________________________________________________________

Check out “The Roundtable with Robert Bannon” everyday right here on The Broadway Podcast Network!

www.RobertBannon.com or Follow on IG @RobertMBannon or @theroundtablewithrobertbannon

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Hailed as one of the most influential and impactful violinists in modern history— two-time Emmy award-winning artist, Damien Escobar, has spent nearly two decades cementing his legacy as the “King of Strings”. He’s inspired listeners, broke barriers, and created a blueprint for other contemporary violinists who aspire to top the charts and make their way onto main stages around the world. And his work is just getting started.

The Jamaica, Queens native who is known for his charisma, sincere humility, and undeniable talent— has always believed the key to his success is rooted in his humble beginnings. It is the main source that keeps him connected to his fans, and cultivates his unending love for performing. And if you’ve heard his story you know that Escobar’s journey after Juilliard (from which he graduated at the age of 12) wasn’t easy! But his passion and vision took him from playing for straphangers on NYC subways to serenading everyone from Oprah to the Obamas while achieving several lifetime goals in between— including an NAACP award nomination, topping the 100 Billboard charts, and selling 1M+ records. In 2022 Escobar sold out venues across the nation with his “Life Out Loud” tour — an inspiring experience intended to affirm audiences to live authentically and unapologetically. And with new ventures, including new music being developed, Escobar is letting it be known that his reign as the King of Strings will not cease.

With the release of the "GEMINI" album, Escobar is on a mission to prove there’s astonishing power in instrumental music and his intention is to motivate listeners and make an impact on mainstream music like never before.

Stream the album and follow Damien on IG- @dameesco

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Check out “The Roundtable with Robert Bannon” everyday right here on The Broadway Podcast Network!

www.RobertBannon.com

Follow on IG @RobertMBannon or @theroundtablewithrobertbannon

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We had a great chat with Broadway Star Catherine Walker about her career from Mary Poppins to Ragtime, but she will always be remembered and associated with the great Steven Lutvak. She is one of the muses that are used for his great work like A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder.

NYU Skirball Center will honor the late Tony Award-winning composer Steven Lutvak, the musical mind behind the Tony Award-winning musical A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, with performances and tributes from family and friends in a celebration of his life on Thursday, July 18 – which would have been his 65th birthday – at 3:00 PM. The event will include performances by Broadway Inspirational Voices, Crystal Monee Hall, Bryce Pinkham, Catherine Walker, Scarlett Strallen, Catherine Porter, Lori Wilner, and Jenna Pastuszek, and feature songs from A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder (Tony Award for Best Musical, 2014), his albums Ahead of My Heart and The Time It Takes, and several never-before heard works-in-progress. Admission is free, but reservations are encouraged. For tickets, please visit tickets.nyu.edu/stevenlutvak

Born and raised in the Bronx, Mr. Lutvak was a talented multi-hyphenate, working as a cabaret performer, music arranger, director, and as a performance coach in addition to his songwriting and compositional work. As a singer-songwriter, he performed across the country, including successful New York engagements at Carnegie Hall, which led to releasing two albums, The Time It Takes and Ahead of My Heart.

 Mr. Lutvak made his Broadway debut with A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder in 2014, for which he composed the music, and co-wrote the lyrics with Robert L. Freedman. The musical won the Drama League, Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk and Tony Awards for Best Musical. The pair had previously written the musical Campaign of the Century together, which won the California Musical Theater Competition from the Beverly Hills Theater Guild. 

 Other musicals by Mr. Lutvak include Almost September, The Wayside Motor Inn (an adaptation of a play by A. R. Gurney), and Esmeralda. For the screen, Mr. Lutvak composed the title track for the film Mad Hot Ballroom, and the score to Anything But Love, starring Eartha Kitt and Andrew McCarthy. Mr. Lutvak was a highly awarded composer, receiving the Kleban Award for Lyric Writing for the Theater, the Fred Ebb Award for Songwriting for the Theater alongside Freedman, the American Theatre Wing’s Jonathan Larson Grant, the Johnny Mercer Foundation’s Emerging American Songwriter Award, two Bistro Awards, three MAC Awards, and multiple ASCAP Awards.

 In his later years, Mr. Lutvak worked as an adjunct professor at his alma mater, the New York University Graduate Musical Theater Writing Program.

 Mr. Lutvak died October 9, 2023 at the age of 64. He is survived by his husband, Artistic Director of Flight Path Dance Project, Michael McGowan, and their daughter, Eliot Rose Lutvak-McGowan.

 The tribute to Steven Lutvak will take place at NYU Skirball Center, located at 566 LaGuardia Place, between West 4th and West 3rd Street, on Thursday, July 18 at 3:00 PM. Running time is 90 minutes with no intermission. Admission is free, but reservations are encouraged. For tickets, please visit tickets.nyu.edu/stevenlutvak

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Check out “The Roundtable with Robert Bannon” everyday right here on The Broadway Podcast Network!

www.RobertBannon.com

Follow on IG @RobertMBannon or @theroundtablewithrobertbannon 

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Singer-songwriter Chris Mann is back with his highly anticipated original song 'I Do', marking his first release of new music in almost six years. Co-written by Mann and acclaimed writer/producer Bleu McAuley, 'I Do' is a soulful ballad that showcases Mann's heartfelt lyrics and signature vocals.

The inspiration behind 'I Do' came from Mann's own wedding vows, which he wrote long before marrying his wife of 11 years. The lyrics express Mann's vision of an ideal marriage, with lines like 'to have and to hold, for better or for worse...I do.' The song features a laid-back, gospel feel accompanied by a soaring chorus of harmonizing background vocals.

'I Do' has been a fan favorite at Chris Mann's live concerts for years, and now fans can finally enjoy it on all streaming platforms. The song will also make its debut on the hit CW series 'All American' in a critical wedding scene, airing on Monday, June 24, 2024.

To listen to ‘I Do’ check out the link below:

https://open.spotify.com/album/2GEsSCcrmT3RcE5CN7nQiw 

Chris Mann is a critically-acclaimed singer and actor hailed as "the favorite new, male vocalist on the planet" by the Today Show.

Mann is no stranger to the spotlight–his albums 'Roads' (Republic Records) and ‘Constellation' hit #1 on Billboard's Heatseekers Chart. His much-anticipated fourth studio album, Return of the Gentleman, is underway in Los Angeles with collaborations including Grammy ‘Album of the Year’ producers, Autumn Rowe and Kizzo. The sound, described as “Big Band Soul,” features duets with Grammy-winner India.Arie and iconic saxophonist, Kenny G.

In 2022, Chris appeared alongside Seth Rogan, Sebastian Stan, and Lily James in Hulu’s Emmy-winning miniseries, “Pam and Tommy,” playing Motley Crüe’s legendary guitarist, Mick Mars. He was most recently seen in S3 of "The Morning Show" on Apple+ opposite Jennifer Aniston.

Mann has performed for Presidents Barack Obama & Joe Biden and has been featured at Lincoln Center, The Kennedy & Carnegie Hall.

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Check out “The Roundtable with Robert Bannon” everyday right here on The Broadway Podcast Network!

www.RobertBannon.com

Follow on IG @RobertMBannon or @theroundtablewithrobertbannon

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He is ONLY 23! 23!!! Chris Ruggiero is here and he is touring the country singing standard, doo wop, and hits of the 50's, 60's 70's and more. You may have seen him on PBS, you may have listened to his albums, now hear the story of how he came to sing, what inspires him, and who has better singers? Jersey or NY!

Chris talks all about family, keeping good music alive, and what is next for his booming career!

For More Info on Chris- www.ChrisRuggieroSings.com

Follow Chris on IG- @chris_ruggiero_sings

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Check out “The Roundtable with Robert Bannon” everyday right here on The Broadway Podcast Network!

www.RobertBannon.com

Follow on IG @RobertMBannon or @theroundtablewithrobertbannon

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