The 1997-98 Broadway season began June 1. At this early moment, here is how the production schedule is shaping up. Proposed shows have been divided into four categories, based on how firm their bookings are. Note that, in contrast to recent seasons, musicals seem to be scheduled early- or mid-season, rather than clustered at the end.

The schedule is subject -- in fact, virtually guaranteed -- to change.

DEFINITE
These are shows that have secured opening dates and booked a theatre. In several instances, tickets are already on sale.

FOREVER TANGO: Dance revue. Previews begin June 16. Opens June 19. Limited run through Aug. 9. Walter Kerr Theatre. (212) 239-6200. 1776: Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of Sherman Edwards/Peter Stone musical. Directed by Scott Ellis. Previews begin July 16. Opens Aug. 14. Limited run through Oct. 19. Criterion Stage Right Theatre. (212) 869-8400.

TRIUMPH OF LOVE: New musical starring Susan Egan. Based on the Marivaux comedy. Book by James Magruder. Music by Jeffrey Stock. Lyrics by Susan Birkenhead. Previews begin Sept. 2. Opens Sept. 25. Walter Kerr Theatre. Box office not open yet.

PROPOSALS: New comedy by Neil Simon, starring Kelly Bishop, L. Scott Caldwell and Barry Newman. Directed by Joe Mantello. Previews begin on or about Oct. 29. Opens Nov. 6. Broadhurst Theatre.

THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL: New musical based on the novel by Baroness Orczy. Music by Frank Wildhorn of Jekyll & Hyde; book and lyrics by Nan Knighton. Directed by Peter Hunt. Previews begin Oct. 7. Opens Nov. 9. Minskoff Theatre. Tickets on sale June 15 through Ticketmaster (212) 307-4100. Minskoff box office will open Sept. 8.

IVANOV: Kevin Kline stars in a revival of Anton Chekhov's drama, presented by Lincoln Center Theatre. Previews: Oct. 23. Opens Nov. 20. Vivian Beaumont Theatre.

THE LION KING: Stage adaptation of Disney animated musical, with music by Elton John, lyrics by Tim Rice. Directed by Julie Taymor. Previews Oct. 10. Opens Nov. 13. New Amsterdam Theatre. Tickets now on sale to Amex cardholders only: (212) 307-4555. Tickets on sale to the general public June 22.

RAGTIME: New musical with score by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, libretto by Terrence McNally, based on the E.L. Doctorow novel. Directed by Frank Galati. Choreographed by Graciela Daniele. Previews Dec. 26, 1997. Opens Jan. 18, 1998 Ford Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets on sale now: (212) 307-4100. Outside NY metro area: (800) 755-4000.

A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE: Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of Arthur Miller's play, starring Anthony LaPaglia (The Rose Tattoo). Spring 1998 previews and opening TBA. Criterion Stage Right Theatre. (212) 869-8400.

JUST WAITING FOR A THEATRE
These are shows that have secured opening dates and/or have financing in place, but are waiting for a suitable theatre to become available.

JACKIE: Gip Hoppe's farcical play about late first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Previews: Sept. 30. Tentative opening Oct. 16. Theatre TBA. Box office not open yet.

THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK: James Lapine directs a revival of the 1955 Frances Goodrich/Albert Hackett drama. Fall 1997 previews, opening and theatre TBA.

JANE EYRE: New musical based on the Charlotte Bronte novel, starring Anthony Crivello and Marla Schaffel. Directed by John Caird. Previews begin Oct. 7. Opens Opens Oct. 26. Theatre TBA.

THE CHERRY ORCHARD: Revival of Anton Chekhov's drama, presented by Sovremennik Theatre of Moscow. Stars Marina Neyolova, Yelena Yakovleva, Valentin Gaft, Igor Kvasha and Borish Dyachenko. Previews and opening October or November 1997. Theatre TBA.

THE CAPEMAN: Musical with music by Paul Simon, lyrics by Simon and Derek Walcott, book by Walcott. Stars Ruben Blades and Marc Anthony. Previews on or about Dec. 10, 1997. Opens on or about Jan. 10, 1998. Theatre TBA.

SIDE SHOW: New musical by Henry Krieger (Dreamgirls) and Bill Russell, about a pair of Siamese twins in vaudeville. Directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom. Fall 1997 previews, opening and theatre TBA.

PROBABLE
These are shows that have been announced for Broadway, but have not secured opening dates or a theatre.

HIGH SOCIETY: Stage adaptation of the Cole Porter film musical High Society, based on Philip Barrie's The Philadelphia Story. Produced by Dodgers Productions; directed by Christopher Renshaw. The book will be adapted by Arthur Kopit. Opens late 1997 or early 1998 at a theatre TBA.

GOLDEN CHILD: New drama by Henry David Hwang, directed by James Lapine. Winter 1998 previews, opening and theatre TBA.

ANNIE GET YOUR GUN: Bernadette Peters stars in a revival of the Irving Berlin musical, produced by Fran and Barry Weissler. Spring 1998 previews, opening and theatre TBA.

IRVING BERLIN'S EASTER PARADE: Tommy Tune stars in a stage adaptation of the film with songs by Irving Berlin and book by Phillip Oesterman. Tune and Oesterman will co-direct; Tune and Tad Lock will co-choreograph. Musical direction will be by Wally Harper. Opens Eastertime 1998 at a theatre TBA.

POSSIBLE
These are shows that have been mentioned in print for Broadway, or which will have major non-New York engagements that could turn into transfers within the 1997-98 time frame.

TONIGHT AT 8:30: Revival of program of nine Noel Coward one-acts, directed by Gerald Gutierrez for Lincoln Center Theatre. Previews and opening TBA. Vivian Beaumont Theatre.

THE HERBAL BED: Royal Shakespeare Company production of Peter Whelan's play about the trial of Shakespeare's daughter. Theatre, previews and opening TBA.

CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS: Mandy Patinkin stars in a new musical based on the Kipling novel. 1998 previews, opening and theatre TBA.

PIAF: Revival of Pam Gems' play about the French chanteuse, starring Elaine Paige. Preview, opening and theatre TBA.

CABARET: Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of John Kander/Fred Ebb/Joe Masteroff musical. Directed by Sam Mendes. Performances will be held in a New York cabaret space TBA. Spring 1998 previews and opening TBA.

THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH: New musical by John Kander and Fred Ebb based on the play by Thornton Wilder. Previews, opening and theatre TBA.

WISE GUYS: New musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by John Weidman. Previews, opening and theatre TBA.

SISTERELLA: African-American adaptation of the "Cinderella" story, with music, lyrics and book by Larry Hart. August or September 1997 previews and opening at a theatre TBA.

TOM SAWYER: New musical based on the Mark Twain novel. Music by Don Schlitz, book by Ken Ludwig. Previews, opening and theatre TBA.

A STAR IS BORN: Musical based on the film, with book by Larry Gelbart, lyrics by David Zippell, music by Cy Coleman. Produced, but not written, by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Previews and opening in fall 1997 at a theatre TBA.

-- By Robert Viagas