Ep 631- Comedic Legend Rita Rudner Is Back At 54 Below!

Today on The Roundtable with Robert Bannon, we’re joined by two theater legends — Austin Pendleton and Bradford Cover — to explore Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream through the lens of The Resident Acting Company. Pendleton, a Tony-nominated actor and director, and Cover, the company’s founding artistic director, share their passion for the Bard, their process in bringing this timeless comedy to life, and the magic that happens when a seasoned ensemble takes on a classic. From the mayhem of lovers and fairies to the humor and heart that keep audiences enchanted, this conversation dives into why A Midsummer Night’s Dream remains a masterpiece for every generation. Expect laughter, behind-the-scenes stories, and plenty of midsummer mischief from two artists who have spent their lives making theater come alive. 🎧 Watch & listen now on Broadway World, YouTube, Spotify, iHeart, and all Roundtable platforms. 🌐 RobertBannon.com | 📸 @RobertMBannon #TheRoundtableWithRobertBannon #AustinPendleton #BradfordCover #AMidsummerNightsDream #ResidentActingCompany #BroadwayWorld #Shakespeare Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Roundtable with Robert Bannon, we’re diving into presidential history—with a groove! Creator and composer Eli Bauman joins us to talk about “44,” the musical celebration inspired by President Barack Obama. Blending politics, pop culture, and punchy humor, the show reimagines the Obama years through music and heart—reminding us why that era still resonates so deeply. Robert and Eli talk creativity, legacy, and how this project became a cultural love letter to hope and change. Don’t you miss Obama? Yeah… us too. 🎧 Watch & listen now on Broadway World, YouTube, Spotify, iHeart, and all Roundtable platforms. 🌐 RobertBannon.com | 📸 @RobertMBannon #Obama44 #EliBauman #MusicalTheatre #TheRoundtableWithRobertBannon #HopeAndChange Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s game time at The Roundtable with Robert Bannon! Basketball legends Cherelle “Torch” George and Rochell “Wham” Middleton stop by to celebrate the 100th anniversary tour of The Harlem Globetrotters — a century of hoops, humor, and heart. From dazzling trick shots to inspiring communities around the world, Torch and Wham share what it means to carry on the Globetrotters’ legacy of excellence and entertainment. We talk breaking barriers, representing women in the game, and the joy of bringing smiles to fans of every age. Whether you grew up watching them spin the ball or are seeing them live for the first time, this chat is pure fun and full of inspiration. 🎧 Watch & listen now on Broadway World, YouTube, Spotify, iHeart, and all Roundtable platforms. 🌐 RobertBannon.com | 📸 @RobertMBannon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get ready for some serious pop nostalgia! Jeff Timmons — founding member of the multi-platinum group 98 Degrees — joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon for a fun and heartfelt chat. From boy band memories and massive hits to his evolution as a solo artist, producer, and performer, Jeff opens up about the music, the fans, and the passion that still drives him today. We also talk about 98 Degrees’ upcoming show at The Fisher Theatre in Detroit, a city that’s always shown the group major love! From the harmonies to the hits, Jeff shares what fans can expect when the guys hit the stage again — plus a few surprises along the way. 🎧 Watch & listen now on Broadway World, YouTube, Spotify, iHeart, and all Roundtable platforms. 🌐 RobertBannon.com | 📸 @RobertMBannon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Roundtable with Robert Bannon, we’re joined by a powerhouse cast bringing Shakespeare’s King Richard II to thrilling new life. Michael Urie, Ron Canada, Emily Swallow, Grantham Coleman, and Lux Pascal sit down to explore their bold new production — one that reimagines the classic tale of power, loyalty, and loss for today’s world. With this ensemble of acclaimed actors, the conversation dives deep into the creative process, the emotional resonance of the text, and how this adaptation connects across cultures and centuries. From Urie’s magnetic turn as the fallen king to the layered performances of his costars, this is a fascinating peek behind the crown. Expect laughter, vulnerability, and some royal-level storytelling as we go inside the making of King Richard II with the artists who make it soar. 🎧 Watch & listen now on Broadway World, YouTube, Spotify, iHeart, and all Roundtable platforms. 🌐 RobertBannon.com | 📸 @RobertMBannon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alt-pop artist Ariana and the Rose joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to celebrate the release of her brand-new album—an emotional, euphoric journey that blends synth-pop shimmer with raw, confessional storytelling. Known for her electrifying live shows and intergalactic aesthetic, Ariana opens up about creating music that invites listeners to dance, dream, and feel everything all at once. In this intimate and inspiring chat, Ariana and Robert dive into the stories behind the songs, the joy of performing for a community that celebrates individuality, and what it means to turn heartbreak into art. It’s bold, beautiful, and full of stardust—just like her music. 🎧 Catch The Roundtable with Robert Bannon on Broadway World, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. 🌐 Visit RobertBannon.com & follow @RobertMBannon for more. #ArianaAndTheRose #NewAlbum #AltPop #TheRoundtableWithRobertBannon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vocal powerhouse, coach, and recording artist Stevie Mackey joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon for a soulful and inspiring chat about music, mentorship, and the magic of Taco Tuesday! From coaching icons like Jennifer Lopez, Selena Gomez, and Lenny Kravitz to creating the viral Sing Series and his star-studded jam sessions that bring everyone together over songs and tacos, Stevie is a true master of harmony—in every sense. In this joyful, heart-filled conversation, Stevie opens up about faith, artistry, and community, and how sharing your gift can feed both the soul and the spirit. It’s good vibes, great stories, and one unforgettable Roundtable you won’t want to miss! 🎧 Catch The Roundtable with Robert Bannon on Broadway World, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. 🌐 Visit RobertBannon.com & follow @RobertMBannon for more. #StevieMackey #TacoTuesday #SingSeries #TheRoundtableWithRobertBannon #BroadwayWorld Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Acclaimed New York actor and producer Neeraja Ramjee joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon to talk about her powerful one-woman performance in Broken Images, coming to Paradise Factory Theater this November. Written by the legendary Girish Karnad and directed by Susanna Jaramillo, this psychological thriller explores ambition, identity, and the blurred lines between truth and illusion—all brought vividly to life by Ramjee’s unforgettable performance. In this conversation, Neeraja opens up about her creative journey from the rehearsal room to the stage, the responsibility of representing South Asian stories, and the emotional depths of playing a woman haunted by her own reflection. It’s a moving, insightful chat about art, authenticity, and what it means to be truly seen. 🎧 Catch The Roundtable with Robert Bannon on Broadway World, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. 🌐 Visit RobertBannon.com & follow @RobertMBannon for more. #BrokenImages #NeerajaRamjee #ParadiseFactoryTheater #OffBroadway #TheRoundtableWithRobertBannon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Roundtable, country music artist Buck McCoy joins us to share the incredible story behind his career and his breakout moment on Netflix. Known for his soulful voice, heartfelt songwriting, and dynamic performances, Buck has built a loyal following in Nashville and beyond. Now, with his single “Paris Texas Man” featured in the new Netflix romantic comedy The Wrong Paris, he’s reaching audiences all around the world. In our conversation, Buck opens up about his journey in country music, the inspiration behind Paris Texas Man, and the thrill of hearing it set against the backdrop of a film that’s charming viewers everywhere. We laugh, reflect, and celebrate what makes his artistry resonate so strongly with fans. It’s a chat full of heart, humor, and the kind of stories only Buck McCoy can tell. 🎙️ The Roundtable with Robert Bannon streams on Broadway World, iHeart, Spotify, YouTube, and everywhere you listen to podcasts. 🌐 RobertBannon.com | Instagram: @RobertMBannon #TheRoundtableWithRobertBannon #BuckMcCoy #Netflix #CountryMusic #TheWrongParis #ParisTexasMan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this powerful conversation, we welcome Broadway favorite Willy Falk, playwright William Spatz, and director Randy White to The Roundtable to dive into their new play, Truman vs. Israel. The play examines the historic decisions of President Harry S. Truman in 1948 as he weighed the recognition of the State of Israel, exploring the political, moral, and human stakes that shaped a turning point in world history. With a mix of theatrical artistry and historical rigor, the creative team brings this pivotal story to the stage in a way that resonates deeply today. Our chat is filled with insight and passion—Falk shares his perspective as a performer taking on weighty material, Spatz explains his inspiration behind the script and its relevance to modern audiences, and White reveals how he approached bringing such a monumental story to life. Together, they give us a behind-the-scenes look at a play that not only dramatizes history but sparks timely conversation. 🎙️ The Roundtable with Robert Bannon streams on Broadway World, iHeart, Spotify, YouTube, and everywhere you listen to podcasts. 🌐 RobertBannon.com | Instagram: @RobertMBannon #TheRoundtableWithRobertBannon #WillieFalk #WilliamSpatz #RandyWhite #TrumanVsIsrael #BroadwayWorld Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices