Santino Fontana to fill in for Gavin Creel in ‘Hello, Dolly!’ plus more theater news

THE SHOW “Hello, Dolly!”

THE DEAL Santino Fontana, who is slated to star in the musical adaptation of the 1982 movie “Tootsie,” will step into the Broadway revival of “Hello, Dolly!” beginning March 13, taking over as Cornelius Hackl while Tony Award winner Gavin Creel recovers from back surgery. In a statement, Creel called Fontana “an amazing performer” who will “be absolutely wonderful in the part.”

THE SHOW “Torch Song”

THE DEAL A cutdown version of Harvey Fierstein’s 1980s comedic drama “Torch Song Trilogy” will receive a limited run on Broadway in the fall at the Helen Hayes Theater, which housed the original production. Michael Urie and Mercedes Ruehl, who starred in an Off-Broadway production in the fall, will return for the encore engagement. “Torch Song” follows Arnold Beckoff, a young, gay, sensitive drag performer, as he deals with a challenging love life and an exasperating relationship with his mother.

WHO Neil LaBute

THE DEAL MCC Theater ended its long-standing relationship with Neil LaBute last week, announcing that he will no longer serve as the company’s playwright-in-residence. The group has also canceled an upcoming production of LaBute’s new play “Reasons to Be Pretty Happy” (the final work in a trilogy that includes “Reasons to Be Pretty” and “Reasons to Be Happy”). No explanation has been provided by MCC or LaBute for the change in circumstances.

THE SHOW “Saint Joan”

THE DEAL Patrick Page, Daniel Sunjata, John Glover, Adam Chanler-Berat and Walter Bobbie will play the men scrutinizing Condola Rashad, who plays the title role in the Broadway revival of “Saint Joan.” George Bernard Shaw’s historical drama, which will play Manhattan Theatre Club’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre beginning April 3, tells the story of Joan of Arc in 15th century France, but is infused with Shaw’s complex characterizations and critical viewpoints.