BYE BYE BIRDIE'S John Stamos Talks Bdwy to The Advocate

Bye Bye Birdie's John Stamos is featured in the newest issue of The Advocate. You can read a sneak peek of the article below:

When I first heard that you'd been cast in the revival, I thought you might be playing the Elvis-like Conrad Birdie.

A lot of people asked me if I was playing Conrad. I remember them talking to me about playing Conrad in the [1995 TV movie remake], but I see myself much more as an Al than a Conrad. I'm much closer to a neurotic, nervous people-pleaser, and I'm also too old.

To read the full article click here.

Bye Bye Birdie stars John Stamos (Albert Peterson), Gina Gershon (Rose Alvarez), Bill Irwin (Mr. Harry MacAfee) and Nolan Gerard Funk as "Conrad Birdie." The cast also features Jayne Houdyshell (Mrs. Mae Peterson), Dee Hoty (Mrs. MacAfee), Matt Doyle (Hugo Peabody), Jake Evan Schwencke (Randolph MacAfee) & Allie Trimm (Kim MacAfee). Robert Longbottom directs and choreographs Bye Bye Birdie with a book by Michael Stewart, music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Lee Adams.

Bye Bye Birdie is the inaugural production of the new Henry Miller's Theatre (124 West 43rd Street) and opened officially on Thursday, October 15th, 2009. 

In Bye Bye Birdie, the 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." 

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."

Tickets are available online at www.byebyebirdieonbroadway.com or by phone at (212)239-6200. Ticket prices range from $86.50 - $136.50. To become a Roundabout subscriber visit www.roundabouttheatre.org or call Roundabout Ticket Services (212)719-1300.

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