It's official. As first reported on Playbill On-Line, Lea DeLaria, the belting lesbian comic who recently starred in On the Town, will take over the role of Jane in Paul Rudnick's comedy The Most Fabulous Story Every Told, now playing at the Minetta Lane Theatre. DeLaria will replace the departing Becky Ann Baker.

Also joining the cast is Julie Halston, who will assume the various roles played by Lisa Kron. Halston's credits include several Charles Busch projects, including you Should Be So Lucky, Red Scare at Sunset and The Lady in Question.

Fabulous Story officially reopened at the Minetta Lane Theatre on Feb. 1 following a successful run at the New York Theatre Workshop. Juan Hernandez and Amy Sedaris left the cast of Rudnick's retelling of the Judeo-Christian creation story. Replacing them were, respectively, Jay Goede (Sex and Longing) and Peg Healey.

The rest of the original New York Theatre Workshop cast remain, including Obie Award winner Joanna Adler (Benita Canova ), Katherine Meisle, Peter Bartlett, Orlando Pabotoy and Alan Tudyk (Bunny Bunny ).

In the play, Rudnick ponders what it would be like had God started out by making Adam and Steve, rather than Adam and Eve. Adam and Steve (along with Jane and Mabel) take us on a journey from Mesopotamia to a K Mart on Christmas Eve as they struggle for faith and search for God. Rudnick's comedy made its debut this summer at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. As he did at Williamstown, frequent Rudnick collaborator Christopher Ashley will direct. Rudnick's comedies include Jeffrey, The Naked Eye, Mr. Charles and I Hate Hamlet, as well as scripts for the films "In & Out" and "Addams Family Values."

Call (212) 420-8000 or (212) 307-4100 for more information.

-- By Robert Simonson