The scenery was simple. Black curtains, a desk, bookcase, a table and three chairs, a judge’s bench and witness stand flanked by two flags and his home with a chair, lamp, end table and a curio cabinet. The only other presence was the main character, Clarence Darrow, played by Leslie Nielsen.The audience was captivated from the moment the veteran actor entered from stage left in a baggy suit. After we heard his deep, rich voice, the audience was looking past the costume, the scenery and Nielsen to hear the story that was about to unfold.For almost two hours, the audience was whisked away to the late 19th century and early 20th century to hear Clarence Darrow recount his life and trials that made him the man he was remembered as.From his humble beginnings as a young attorney in Ashtabula, Ohio, to his defense of accused murders, we saw more than a lawyer, we saw a truly genuine and caring individual. Darrow never charged a client a fee if they couldn’t afford a lawyer and never collected a cent from one-third to half of his clients. Darrow defended 104 accused murderers and not one was ever hanged.Nielsen’s portrayal of Darrow was outstanding. He has become what many call a “Darrowphile” because of his interest in learning about the attourney’s background.To do justice in his portrayal of Darrow, Nielsen visited his boyhood home in Kinsman, Ohio. He also bought the exclusive rights to the play.Only Nielsen would be able to mix the drama with the humor in such a way to keep audiences attentive and entertained during a one-man stage play. He was able to bring the story to life. The audience felt they were sitting in the jury box in a packed courtroom listening to his opening and closing arguments. When he questioned the witnesses, it felt as though he was really talking to a person sitting there. It was easy to see why Darrow had such a winning track record in the courtroom. His appeals were very emotional, his gestures were grand and his arguments were persuasive.Darrow defended the uncompensated workers and their families who lost their life or limb. He also defended the unemployed workers who could not afford to feed their families and lived in horrible and unsanitary housing slums in downtown Chicago.He championed worker’s rights for a decrease of the 12-hour work day, seven-day-a-week work schedule. He was also way ahead of his time fighting for civil rights issues.Darrow’s wife, Ruby, said about her husband, “He didn’t care if he went to heaven or hell because he has so many good friends in either place.”After watching a play based so closely on his life, it would be hard to believe that such a great, hard working man who died nearly broke because he felt everyone deserved a chance at justice could wind up in hell.Nielsen was outstanding. The audience will never see Nielsen as the guy from “Airplane!” or “Naked Gun” again. The show was very entertaining and enjoyable. If Nielsen returns to Columbus again, many audience members will return for an encore performance.