Appropriately, considering its theme, Big is being grown-up about not being nominated for a Tony Award as Best Musical.

Producer Jim Freydberg said no protest is planned over the fact that Big will not appear in the top category. The musical is nominated for five other Tony awards.

Both Victor/Victoria and State Fair have protested their nominations publicly. Star Julie Andrews declined her nomination as Best Actress in a Musical because she was the only one from her show nominated. Producer David Merrick has threatened to sue the Tonys because only four of his State Fair's 15 songs were nominated for Best Score.

Freydberg said he believes Big should have been nominated for Best Musical, but said "We're trying to take the high road. I don't feel that filing a suit or making a fuss is very constructive for the industry. We deal with the process. I don't believe you castigate the process and eliminate yourself."

"They [the Tony nominating committee members] weren't on drugs," Freydberg said. " They were just of bunch of people who moved in a certain direction."Nevertheless, Freydberg said he believes the nominating process should be changed. He said nominators should vote their feelings in a secret ballot, and skip the debate that results in "politicking. "

-- By Robert Viagas