Arts and entertainment reports from The Times, national and international news services and the nation’s press.

STAGE

Gaines Back as ‘Phantom’: Davis Gaines, L.A.’s and Broadway’s longest-running lead in “The Phantom of the Opera,” will return to the role for the Aug. 28-Nov. 1 run at the Pantages Theatre. He played the same role at the Ahmanson Theatre during 1991-93.

MOVIES

Leo and Woody: Woody Allen denies hiring Leonardo DiCaprio for his new film “Celebrity” as a conscious move to corner a more youthful, mainstream market for his movies. “I cast DiCaprio before ‘Titanic’ came out,” Allen says in the issue of Newsweek magazine that hit newsstands Monday. “He has 12 minutes in the film.” Still, Allen’s studio says having the teen heartthrob on board can’t hurt the mass marketability of the film due this fall. “If there’s a chance for Woody to break through, this is it,” said Miramax studio head Harvey Weinstein. “Leo could open the door.” Allen, whose films have netted only modest earnings, remains skeptical about his traditionally mature audience base changing any time soon. “I’ll believe it when I see it,” he said.

‘Ripley’ Reunites ‘English Patient’ Team: Production begins next month on “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” a Paramount Pictures and Miramax Films release that will reunite Oscar-winning director Anthony Minghella with four other Oscar winners from “The English Patient”--editor Walter Murch, director of photography John Seale, costume designer Ann Roth and composer Gabriel Yared. “Ripley,” a suspense thriller starring Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law and Cate Blanchett, is Minghella’s first film since “The English Patient.”

PEOPLE WATCH

Tarantino Pleads Innocent: “Pulp Fiction” director-actor Quentin Tarantino pleaded innocent Monday in New York to misdemeanor assault, a crime which is punishable by up to a year in jail. Judge Neil Ross rejected a request by Tarantino’s lawyer, Paul Callan, to drop the charge. Fashion stylist Leila Mwangi claims Tarantino tried to punch her boyfriend May 1 at a restaurant and hit her instead, cutting her forehead. Tarantino was released on his own recognizance and is due back in court Sept. 9.

TELEVISION

Rock Inks HBO Deal: HBO has signed comedian and Emmy winner Chris Rock to an exclusive multiyear deal. The agreement will cover the new 13-episode season of his acclaimed late-night show that begins next month, as well as two stand-up specials, with other projects to be announced as they are confirmed. Rock’s TV appearances will be exclusively on HBO during the term of the agreement. In addition, the network will also have exclusive TV rights to his activities as a producer and writer.

‘Nightline’ in Prime Time: ABC News “Nightline” will examine the American penal system in a series of five Thursday night specials starting Aug. 6. The series, “Nightline in Primetime: Crime and Punishment,” will air in consecutive weeks. It will be anchored by Ted Koppel. The first installment will take a look at the maximum-security prison in Raleigh, N.C., first visited by “Nightline” in November 1994.

POP/ROCK

Love on Board: Courtney Love will join Mayor Richard Riordan and MTV President Judy McGrath at a news conference this morning in Hollywood to announce the nominees and live performers for this year’s “MTV Video Music Awards” show, which will be held Sept. 10 at the Universal Amphitheatre.

QUICK TAKES

A concert featuring Willie Colon and Ruben Blades, scheduled for July 25 at the Greek Theatre, has been postponed because of “scheduling conflicts,” a Greek Theatre spokeswoman said. No new date has been announced. . . . NBC’s “Homicide: Life on the Street” is getting a new detective in the fall--actress Michael Michele (“Central Park West”) is joining the cast as Rene Sheppard, a “former Maryland beauty pageant contestant” turned homicide detective. . . . Oscar winner Richard Dreyfuss will portray Jewish immigrant turned criminal Meyer Lansky in HBO Pictures’ “Lansky,” a TV movie written by David Mamet (“The Spanish Prisoner,” “Wag the Dog”). Production begins in August. . . . Film and television actress Glenne Headly, who played pediatric surgeon Abby Keaton on “ER,” has joined the cast of NBC’s new fall comedy, “Encore!,” starring Nathan Lane and Joan Plowright.