ARTS IN AMERICA

By STEPHEN KINZER

HOUSTON — It has been some time since all the big musicals started on Broadway and then filtered out to the hinterland. Now the trend — becoming stronger and perhaps permanent — is for them to open first in cities like this one and then move to New York.

    A new musical called "Some Like It Hot," based on the 1957 film of the same name and starring Tony Curtis, who was also in the film, is having its world premiere here. In October there is to be another first, "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" Both shows are scheduled to go from Houston to other cities, and then perhaps to Broadway.

"These days Broadway is doing revivals and leaving the new shows to us," said Frank M. Young, who has headed Theater Under the Stars since it was founded in 1968. "It's all about economics. We can produce a show for one-third of what it costs in New York, and we have other theaters that will partner with us. Shows that we do that are good will be picked up for Broadway."
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The show that will open the new theater, "Some Like It Hot," is typical of what Theater Under the Stars does best. It has appeal based on a beloved and light-hearted film, new songs, imaginative sets and star power in the person of Mr. Curtis. He portrays the aging roué played by Joe E. Brown in the film.

"How privileged I am that 40 years after I was in one of the greatest comedies in movie history, I get to come back in the play," he said during a break in rehearsals. "I don't want to get hokey or metaphysical, but when I look out into this wonderful hall, I feel Sinatra and Lemmon and all the other old guys sitting there. It can't help but pop into my mind."