Starry Bye Bye Birdie Revival Comes Home to Roost on Broadway

It's an opening night nearly 50 years in the making. In 1960, hundreds of ticketholders flocked to the Martin Beck Theatre to see Dick Van Dyke, Chita Rivera and Paul Lynde in what would become one of the most-produced musicals of the century: Bye Bye Birdie. On October 15, 2009, stars, fans and an excited band of theatergoers came out en masse to Henry Miller's Theatre to welcome Roundabout Theatre Company's Birdie back for its first-ever Broadway revival. This time the show stars John Stamos, Gina Gershon, Bill Irwin, Dee Hoty and Jane Houdyshell, youthful rising stars Allie Trimm and Matt Doyle, and newcomer Nolan Gerard Funk—and the crowd was happy to have them. Also wearing happy faces (despite a sudden downpour outside) were show creators Lee Adams and Charles Strouse, who admitted to Broadway.com they "never thought the show would have the success that it has had" when they penned it a half a century ago. After the candy-colored revival proved its still gotta lot of livin' to do on stage, the residents of the show's fictional Sweet Apple, Ohio, hit the Big Apple in style, heading to a very modern opening night bash at The Hard Rock Cafe. Stamos Twittered from the red carpet. Gershon rocked flowers in her hair. Funk showed off a sweet suit designed by Project Runway favorite Malan, and Bill Irwin had an entire press line charmed with his signature good humor. Click through for an on-the-scene look at Bye Bye Birdie's return to Broadway, complete with party pics that will make you feel like you were there!