Director does it his way

Casey Nicholaw is a busy man. And now he’s going to be even busier.

The director-choreographer of “The Drowsy Chaperone” will be occupied during the 2009-10 Broadway season with “Robin and the 7 Hoods,” a new musical inspired by the swingin’ ‘60s Rat Pack movie starring Frank Sinatra.

There is no opening date or cast yet, but the stage show will showcase songs by Sammy Cahn and James Van Heusen, including “My Kind of Town,” “Come Fly With Me,” “Call Me Irresponsible” and “All the Way.”

But before he gets to “Robin and the 7 Hoods,” Nicholaw has several other major directorial projects pending. Up first is the world premiere of “To Be or Not to Be,” Nick Whitby’s comedy based on the movie about a Polish theater troupe getting ready to open its latest production as the Germans invade the country in 1939. Then there is “Minsky’s,” a new musical, running Jan. 21-March 1 at the Ahmanson Theatre in downtown L.A.