Edwards' new Broadway baby is 'Big Rosemary'

Vet helmer to write, direct Mafioso comedy

By CLAUDE BRODESSER

NEW YORK -- Broadway hasn't seen the last of Blake Edwards. At 76, the veteran helmer is still vital and plotting a return to Broadway with a new comedy featuring music entitled "Big Rosemary," which he has written and will direct.

Edwards is best known for directing such Hollywood pics as "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and "Days of Wine and Roses." He saw his first legiter hit the big time in 1995 with the long-running Julie Andrews starrer "Victor/Victoria," based on his movie of the same name.

"Big Rosemary" centers on the comedic exploits of a Chicago nightclub chanteuse who inherits the supper club (and several other less-than-legal holdings) from her Mafioso lover, Big Al.

Cady Huffman, Tony-nominated for best featured actress in the hit "Will Rogers Follies," will play "Rosemary."

Also understood to be joining the laffer's cast are thesps Jack Mulcahy, ("The Brothers McMullen," "The Reunion") playing Jimmy O'Malley, the love interest of Rosemary, and Joe Siravo ("Carlito's Way"). The role of Big Al will be played by Sam Coppola (seen most recently in arthouse pic "Palookaville" and in the HBO original "Citizen Cohn.")

"Big" begins its initial out-of-town tryout at the Helen Hayes Performing Arts Center in Nyack, N.Y., Feb. 11- March 7, heading for Broadway in the 2000 season.

"Big" will be choreographed by Arte Phillips, with sets by Derek MacLane and costumes by Gail Cooper-Hecht. Associate helming chores will be handled by Kirsten Sanderson.