Nielsen plans tour for one-man play 'Darrow'

Comedy veteran takes on serious lawyer

By CLAUDE BRODESSER

NEW YORK -- Leslie Nielsen has agreed to topline a 38-city national tour of "Darrow," a one-man play penned by David Rintels. Nielsen, who does for Hollywood what "Weird Al" Yankovic does to the record industry, will now try to flex his dramatic muscles: Best known for spoofing Hollywood blockbusters in pics like "Titanic Too" "Dracula," "Spy Hard" and "Wrongly Accused," Nielsen says he's confident he can pull off a serious role, and is considering taking it to Broadway.

"I've never believed that as an actor you couldn't somehow convey the dimensions and characteristics of the person," said Nielsen, adding "In movies, I can still continue to be 'dumb and stupid,' which is something I specialize in."

Veteran Broadway producer Don Gregory (revivals of "My Fair Lady" and 'Camelot" will produce, with Columbia Artist Management booking the tour.

One man legiter focuses on the famous lawyer's "professional life, with snippets of his personal life," Gregory said.

The legiter, which had appeared on Broadway at the Helen Hayes 25 years ago, had toured the nation several times, with fairly sizable-talents prior to Nielsen: In 1979, "Darrow" made the rounds with Henry Fonda toplining; in 1988, George C. Scott took over the role; and in 1993, "MASH" thesp Mike Farrell took the reins.

It will bow in Vienna, Austria, at the English Speaking Theater for a tryout this April, then will bow in Phoenix, Ariz. in September. Producer Gregory said he's aiming for a March 2000 Broadway bow, and has had discussions with both the Nederlanders and the Shuberts.