RIALTO CHATTER: Stamos Set to 'BYE BYE BIRDIE' for Roundabout?

While being interviewed on E! News regarding the final episode of his television series ER, John Stamos revealed that his next project after ER was going to be starring in a Broadway show, he continued to explain that it would be the upcoming Bye Bye Birdie. Stamos didn't say what role he'd be playing, but he has been rumored around the Rialto for the past few months as the perfect fit for Albert Peterson, the character played in the original production and film by the legendary Dick Van Dyke.

There has been no official word on casting at this time. The Roundabout production of Bye Bye Birdie is set for Fall 2009.

Actor/producer John Stamos continues to find success in many different areas of the entertainment world. He joined the cast of "ER" as a series regular last fall. Stamos reprises his role as Tony Gates, a flirtatious paramedic who also is a medical student and a Gulf War veteran. Last December he was also seen starring in the A&E original film "Wedding Wars." He played a gay wedding planner in the film. He also lent his voice to Bob Saget's mockumentary Farce of the Penguins.

Stamos has enjoyed tremendous success on Broadway, most recently starring in the Tony Award-winning "NINE." His Broadway debut came in 1997's "How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" and, in 2000, he starred as the Emcee in "Caberet," which was very well received.

His recent film credits include the independent films I Am Stamos and Knots. Through his St. Amos banner, Stamos has many television projects in the works, including the TV Movie "Dillinger" for TNT, and co-producing a feature film version of the TV Classic "The Jeffersons" for Sony. Additional producing credits include an Emmy nomination in 2000 for co-producing the ABC miniseries "Beach Boys: An American Family" and the highly rated CBS telefilm "Martin & Lewis."

Not limiting himself to behind-the-camera work, he recently appeared in the ABC comedy "Jake in Progress." In 2001, he starred in the ABC romantic comedy "Thieves" about a pair of master thieves who become covert government agents. USA Today said of his performance, "the real revelation here is Stamos." As a result of his return to television, John was voted "The Sexiest Come Back" in People's Sexiest Men Alive issue. On the big screen, he made his entry into the independent film world in the black comedy Dropping Out, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2000 and in the contemporary romantic comedy Grownups.

Stamos' career has spanned over 20 years. He started on the hit soap "General Hospital" and later segued to the popular ABC series "Full House". He has also appeared in a variety of television films, including "The Marriage Fool" opposite Walter Matthau and Carol Burnett. Stamos has also displayed his musical talents over the past 20 years while touring with "The Beach Boys."

BYE BYE BIRDIE, Book by Michael Stewart, Lyrics by Lee Adams, Music by Charles Strouse.
Directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom, Bye Bye Birdie will begin performances in the fall of 2009. After 48 years, Bye Bye Birdie returns to Broadway in a new production at Roundabout Theatre Company. The musical comedy takes place in 1960 and centers around an Elvis Presley-type rock 'n' roll superstar named Conrad Birdie. Conrad's Agent Albert and his long suffering secretary/love interest Rosie plan a publicity stunt in which a lucky teenager gets to bestow a farewell kiss upon their idol. The Tony Award®-winning Best Musical features such beloved songs as "Put on A Happy Face," "Kids" and "A Lot of Livin' To Do."

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.