RIALTO CHATTER: Is Nolan Gerard Funk 'BIRDIE' Bound for Roundabout?

"Queen of All Media" Perez Hilton has let slip on his twitter that sources have revealed to him the news that Nolan Gerard Funk, the star of the Nickelodeon movie 'Spectacular!' has won a role in Roundabout's upcoming production of "Bye Bye Birdie". The next question is, has he been cast as Hugo Peabody or Conrad Birdie? As a budding teen idol, he could essay both characters with relative ease. There has been no official casting confirmations regarding those roles as of yet.

In addition to his work in Spectacular!, produced by Nickelodeon Movies, he has also made numerous guest starring appearances on shows including Supernatural, The L Word, Smallville, Lie to Me, and a recurring role on Aliens in America. His movie appearances include a small role in X2 and roles in the upcoming films Triple Dog, Malevolence: Bereavement, and The Wilderness Family. In 2006, he portrayed Michael Magidson in A Girl Like Me: The Gwen Araujo Story, one of the men convicted of murdering Gwen Araujo, a transgendered woman. He also appeared as Miranda Cosgrove's love interest in her music video for her song "Stay My Baby". Nolan Gerard Funk was born in Vancouver, British Columbia.

After a 48 year absence, Bye Bye Birdie will return to Broadway this fall presented by Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) in a production starring John Stamos (Albert Peterson), Gina Gershon (Rose Alvarez), Bill Irwin (Mr. Harry MacAfee) and Jayne Houdyshell (Mrs. Mae Peterson). Bye Bye Birdie begins preview performances September 10, 2009, and has Opening Night set for October 15, 2009.

Directed & choreographed by Robert Longbottom, Bye Bye Birdie has a book by Michael Stewart, lyrics by Lee Adams and music by Charles Strouse.

Bye Bye Birdie will be a limited engagement.

Additional creative members and citizens of Sweet Apple, Ohio will be announced shortly.

In Bye Bye Birdie, the exuberant rock n' roll musical comedy, it's 1960 and hip-swingin' teen idol superstar Conrad Birdie 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."

Only Roundabout subscribers have first access to tickets! To join Roundabout visit www.roundabouttheatre.org or call Roundabout Ticket Services (212) 719-9393.

Tickets go on sale to the general public June 2009. Check www.roundabouttheatre.org for details.

Bye Bye Birdie will play Tuesday through Saturday evening at 8:00PM with Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00PM.

Photo Credit: Sarah DeBoer/Retna Ltd.