`RAGTIME' PRODUCER'S BIG PLANS.

Byline: Marilyn Beck & Stacy Jenel Smith

The spectacular ``Ragtime,'' which is drawing some rave reviews as it starts its L.A. run, boasts a cast of 59 - one of the largest in theater history - and cost $10 million to mount. ``Petty cash - compared to $200 million movies,'' sniffs producer Garth Drabinsky.

But how can the potential of a stage play compare to that of a movie - which can be shown on thousands of screens at the same time?

Drabinsky's here to tell us films pale by comparison. He was the producer of ``Phantom of the Opera'' in Canada and, he says, ``In Canada alone, `Phantom' grossed $600 million.'' He adds that his outstanding revival of ``Showboat'' has grossed between $650 million and $700 million in North America. According to him, ``A hot show can gross $40 million a year with just one production. With four companies, well, figure it out.''

While ``Ragtime'' settles into its L.A. run - and the Toronto company of the lavish, sweeping musical prepares to move with it to Broadway in late December - Drabinsky moves ahead with other grand plans. They include a ``Seussical'' based on the Dr. Seuss books, and a stage musical about Leo Frank, a Jewish factory manager who was lynched by the Ku Klux Klan in 1915. He's having readings of the latter in New York and intends to mount it next spring, likely in Toronto. Then he'll try it out for short runs in one or two U.S. cities before bringing it to Broadway in the fall of '98.

Like ``Ragtime,'' which is set in turn-of-the-century New York, the Frank story will ``try to open the pores of society and engage the audience in a rigorous debate on the ills that still plague us today.''

Hey, it certainly works with ``Ragtime.''

The industry eye

``Mod Squad, the Movie'' will go before the cameras in August for MGM and Spelling Films - if script rewrites are successful and casting can be completed by then. Producer Aaron Spelling tells us that, if all works out, Clarence Williams III will return to his role as Lincoln Hayes, this time taking on the duties of boss of the young undercover Squad. Spelling reports that three fresh names, ``an African-American kid, a white kid and a white girl,'' are being sought for the new Squad. The vintage TV series Squad consisted of Williams, Peggy Lipton and Michael Cole.

``Old series never die, they come back as movies,'' says Spelling.

Among the many: ``My Three Sons,'' plus Aaron's ``Love Boat, the Movie.'' He also reports that Columbia is making a big-screen version of his old ``Charlie's Angels'' hit.

Tricky business

Cheap Trick expects to be out touring in connection with its latest self-titled album into 1998. That includes a stint in Europe, the first time in years the band has done a concert trek of the Continent. ``Our last manager ignored Europe, which was one of the first places we were successful,'' notes guitarist/songwriter Rick Nielsen. He adds, ``Hey, I admit it, it was more our fault than our manager's. We didn't have to listen to him. You don't pay attention, you lose a few years, a few brain cells along the way.''

Nielsen reports that Cheap Trick ``changed managers last year, cleaned house a little bit.'' Whatever accounts for it, the Cheap guys - who'll appear on Letterman's ``The Late Show'' July 2 - certainly seem reinvigorated. The album has been faring well, and Nielsen notes it's netted ``very good reviews. It's interesting. Unlike some of the reviewers of yesteryear, today's critics actually seem to have listened to the album. They've written about the songs on the album. Sometimes it used to be: `Cheap Trick, yes or no? No.' Those kind of reviews.''

Taking a breather

After doing four back-to-back films, Gene Hackman has decided to take a break. The Oscar-winning actor recently wrapped ``The Magic Hour'' with Paul Newman, Susan Sarandon and James Garner, and is now back in Santa Fe, N.M., with his wife, Bessie. Says his rep. ``He's painting and doing a new house. ... He loves building and refurbishing homes.''

Gentleman, start your X-rays

Keith Carradine is getting ready to lens the Showtime movie/series pilot ``Fast Track.'' The vehicle has Keith as an orthopedic surgeon - and an avid auto racing buff - who takes on the job of running a race track's clinic. Super-talented writer/filmmaker Larry Gelbart is among the forces behind the project.

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2 Photos

Photo: (1) Garth Drabinsky

Theater titan

(2) Aaron Spelling

``Mod Squad, The Movie''