Best known for his "Naked Gun" and "Airplane" films, Leslie Nielsen will show another side as an actor when he performs in Clarence Darrow at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, Oct. 1-2. Produced by Don Gregory, who also produced the successful Broadway production of the same play starring Henry Fonda, Darrow was written by David W. Rintels, based on "Clarence Darrow for the Defense" by Irving Stone.

In this historical one-man drama (originally directed by John Houseman), Nielsen portrays the folksy lawyer whose mastery in the courtroom earned him an unforgettable place in history. Nielsen was the first to play the role after Fonda and has toured in it since 1996.

When Darrow premiered on Broadway, it was a smash hit and soon became the standard for the proliferation of one-man plays that followed.

Nielsen studied acting under Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York, followed with summer stock and further training at the Actors Studio. Among his stage credits is Love Letters opposite Carol Burnett.

Cerritos Center is located at 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos. For tickets or information call (800) 300-4345. -- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent