Best known in recent years for his "Naked Gun" and "Airplane" films, Leslie Nielsen will show another side as an actor when he performs in Clarence Darrow at Fort Worth's Bass Performance Hall, Nov. 22-23. Nielsen has toured the solo extensively, including a stop, Oct. 1-2, at CA's Cerritos Performing Arts Center.

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 Henry Fonda and has toured in it since 1996.

When Clarence 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. For tickets or information on Clarence Darrow call (817) 212-4280.

-- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent
and David Lefkowitz