It had the misfortune to open on Broadway the season when the winds of change (i.e. Rent and Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk) were redefining the look and sound of the Broadway musical, but there were many fans of Big, the Maltby and Shire musicalization of the hit Tom Hanks film.

In a rare instance of an unsuccessful Broadway show being given a national tour, Big was restaged and largely rewritten for the road, and that production checks in as part of the United Airlines Broadway at the Paramount subscription season Feb. 17, ironically opening a day after the tour of Noise/Funk closes.

The tale of little Josh Baskin, who learns to be careful what he wishes when he goes overnight from pre-teen student to hotshot ad-executive, features a Tony-nominated book by John (Pacific Overtures) Weidman and a tuneful old-fashioned Broadway score with lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and music by David Shire, much of it newly created for the tour.

Eric Schaeffer, noted artistic director of the Signature Theatre in Washington, DC directs with choreography by Karma Camp. The cast includes Jim Newman as "big" Josh Baskin, Jacquelyn Piro as his adult girlfriend Susan, Ron Holgate as toy magnate MacMillan, Judy MacLane as Josh's mother, Brett Tabisel in his Tony nominated role as young Josh's pal Billy and Joseph Medeiros as Young Josh.

Performances are Tues.-Sat. evenings at 8 PM, Sun. at 7 PM with Sat.-Sun. matinees at 2 PM at the Paramount theatre, at 9th and Pine St. in downtown Seattle. For tickets ($25-$45) call (206) 292-ARTS, or stop by the Paramount box office or any Ticketmaster outlet.