Hernandez will temporarily replace Burke Moses in the role of El Gallo. Moses, who created that role for the production at the Snapple Theater Center's Jerry Orbach Theater, is taking a leave of absence to appear in the American Musical Theatre of San Jose's upcoming mounting of Guys and Dolls.

Hernandez joins a cast that currently includes Thomas Bruce (Henry), Julie Craig (Luisa), John Deyle (Hucklebee), Jordan Nichols (The Mute), Robert R. Oliver (Mortimer), Nick Spangler (Matt) and Martin Vidnovic (Bellomy) as well as Stuart Marland, Richard Roland and Liz Holtan.

Ivan Hernandez's stage credits include Romantic Poetry (NY Stage and Film), Zhivago (La Jolla Playhouse), The Most Happy Fella (NY City Opera), Zorro (NYC workshop), Two Gents (Baltimore Centerstage), Mambo Kings (Golden Gate) and Senor Discretion Himself (Arena Stage).

Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones' The Fantasticks, according to press notes, "tells the story of a young boy and girl who fall madly in love at the hands of their meddling fathers, but soon grow restless and stray from one another. Will their separation provide a deeper appreciation for the love they once shared or create a permanent gulf between them?" Song titles include "Try to Remember," "Much More" and "I Can See It."

The Fantasticks is the world's longest-running musical, having played a record-breaking run of more than 17,000 performances in Greenwich Village. The Fantasticks originally opened at the Sullivan Street Playhouse in May 1960 and closed Jan. 13, 2002. The original company included Wedding Singer star Rita Gardner and the late Jerry Orbach. Harvey Schmidt wrote the music, and Tom Jones penned the book and lyrics. Word Baker directed the original Off-Broadway company. The Fantasticks cast album was recorded Aug. 22, 2006, and released Nov. 14 on the Ghostlight Records label.

The Snapple Theater Center is located at 210 West 50th Street at Broadway.