RIALTO CHATTER: Gershon Reveals Famous 'BIRDIE' Scene Cut For Revival

The New York Daily News reports that, according to Gina Gershon, who stars as Rose in the upcoming revival of BYE BYE BIRDIE, the production has said "bye bye" to an iconic dance sequence that has been in the show since its debut in 1960.

The News reveals that, "In the scene, Rose, originated on stage by Chita Rivera and on film by Janet Leigh, crashes a Shriners banquet, flirts and cavorts on, around and underneath a table with the fez-heads."

The scene has now been snipped from the revival because, according to Gershon it "seemed a little too gang rape-y." To read the full scoop in the news, click here.

Bye Bye Birdie is the inaugural production of the new Henry Miller's Theatre, which is located in the new Bank of America Tower at One Bryant Park. Performances begin September 10th and the official opening is October 15th, 2009.

Roundabout Theatre Company presents the first new Broadway production of Bye Bye Birdie as the inaugural production of the new Henry Miller's Theatre (124 West 43rd Street). Bye Bye Birdie will star John Stamos (Albert Peterson), Gina Gershon (Rose Alvarez) & Bill Irwin (Mr. Harry MacAfee) with Jayne Houdyshell (Mrs. Mae Peterson) & Dee Hoty (Mrs. MacAfee).

The cast will also feature Matt Doyle (Hugo Peabody), Jake Evan Schwencke (Randolph MacAfee), Allie Trimm (Kim MacAfee) and as "Conrad Birdie" Nolan Funk. Robert Longbottom will direct and choreograph Bye Bye Birdie with a book by Michael Stewart, music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Lee Adams.

In Bye Bye Birdie, the exuberant rock n' roll musical comedy, it's 1960 and hip-swingin' teen idol superstar Conrad Birdie (Funk) has been drafted into the army. Birdie's manager Albert (Stamos) and his secretary Rosie (Gershon) have cooked up a plan to send him off with a swell new song and one last kiss from a lucky teenage fan... on "The Ed Sullivan Show"!

Bye Bye Birdie received the 1961 Tony Award® for Best Musical and features such beloved songs as "Put on A Happy Face," "Kids," "Spanish Rose," "The Telephone Hour" and "A Lot of Livin' To Do."

For more information, visit www.byebyebirdieonbroadway.com.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.