Ernie Sabella Exits Charity Suddenly; Rob Bartlett to Step In

Ernie Sabella will leave the Broadway company of Sweet Charity after tonight's performance. Rob Bartlett will assume the role of Herman on June 11 and perform in the revival through September 18. A production spokesperson said that Sabella's departure date was in his original contract, though that fact was never made public previously.

Best known in New York City as a regular on Don Imus' morning radio show, Bartlett appeared in a reading of Sweet Charity with Jane Krakowski as Charity and current star Denis O'Hare as Oscar. Bartlett has done three separate stints as Amos Hart in Chicago and notably played flower shop owner Mr. Mushnik in the Broadway staging of Little Shop of Horrors. He also appeared on Broadway in his own short-lived play, More to Love. His off-Broadway credits include Tabletop and Encores! stagings of Golden Boy and Pardon My English. He is set to play compulsive gambler Speed in the Broadway revival of The Odd Couple, which will begin previews at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on October 4.

Sweet Charity stars Christina Applegate, O'Hare, Janine LaManna, Kyra Da Costa and Paul Schoeffler.