Paxton Whitehead

In 1960, Paxton Whitehead was a fledgling actor toiling without much success in his native England. "I hadn't done anything of great distinction," admits Whitehead, currently appearing as Helen Mirren's understanding, klutzy doctor in the acclaimed production of Alan Ayckbourn's "Woman in Mind" at the Tiffany Theatre. His biggest claim to fame was a stint in 1958 with the Shakespeare Memorial Theater, now the Royal Shakespeare Company. "But I was the lowest of lows," Whitehead says.

If there were an honor society for dedicated stage comedians, Paxton Whitehead might well be its grand pooh-bah. With more than three decades' worth of Broadway outings to his credit--well as myriad Shaws, spoofs and even sitcoms--he's tickled more funny bones than you can shake a stick at. Yet the British-born thespian, who first made his mark in 1964 by replacing Jonathan Miller in the classic comedy revue "Beyond the Fringe," hasn't lost his passion for the punch line.

"Oh, I hate talking about acting," Paxton Whitehead said over lunch the other day. He had been asked how he prepared for his starring role in "How the Other Half Loves" at South Coast Repertory, which opened last month to positive reviews. Whitehead, a legend in theater circles for his comic genius, sounds veddy British upper crust. His robust bass-baritone voice is remarkable for its cavernous resonance. It gives the impression that he does not suffer foolish questions gladly.

"Oh, I hate talking about acting," Paxton Whitehead said over lunch the other day. He had been asked how he prepared for his starring role in "How the Other Half Loves" at South Coast Repertory, which opened last month to positive reviews. Whitehead, a legend in theater circles for his comic genius, sounds veddy British upper crust. His robust bass-baritone voice is remarkable for its cavernous resonance. It gives the impression that he does not suffer foolish questions gladly.

If there were an honor society for dedicated stage comedians, Paxton Whitehead might well be its grand pooh-bah. With more than three decades' worth of Broadway outings to his credit--well as myriad Shaws, spoofs and even sitcoms--he's tickled more funny bones than you can shake a stick at. Yet the British-born thespian, who first made his mark in 1964 by replacing Jonathan Miller in the classic comedy revue "Beyond the Fringe," hasn't lost his passion for the punch line.

Gene Hackman mourns the loss of his wife and his road-side diner while waitress Teri Garr attempts to get him over both in "Blue Moon, Light Water," which Peter Masterson directs in Texas in August. . . . Melanie Griffith is a lady of the night who gets involved with gangster/nightclub owner Sting in "Stormy Monday," which starts filming July 6 in London. . . .

How refreshing. Craig Noel's staging of "The School for Scandal" that opened over the weekend at the Old Globe, under the stars and under the path of airplanes headed for Lindbergh Field, doesn't go for the jugular. It goes for the glitter. Occasionally, it hits the gold.

As 2013 begins, Robert Sean Leonard is the theater world's equivalent of a star athlete who's just completed his contract and become a free agent. There isn't a team that wouldn't want him; all he has to do is pick the best fit and sign. What's missing - this being stage acting instead of professional sports - is the chance for a big payday. But that's all right with Leonard. For eight seasons ending last spring, he played Dr. James Wilson, the often-bemused sole friend of Gregory House, the brilliant, extremely eccentric and incredibly arrogant protagonist of the Fox television series, "House, M.D. " PHOTOS: Arts and culture in pictures by The Times He took the gig in 2004 because he needed the money.

Production: George Bernard Shaw's "Heartbreak House" Direction: Martin Benson, "Heartbreak House" Lead Performance: Paxton Whitehead, "Heartbreak House," Richard Frank, "Kiss of the Spider Woman" Scenic design: John Iacovelli, "Heartbreak House," Marjorie Bradley Kellogg, "Pirates" Costume design: Ann Bruice, "You Can't Take It With You," Shigeru Yaji, "Happy End"

Bookings: A pre-Broadway tour of "My Fair Lady," with Richard Chamberlain as Henry Higgins, has been booked into the Music Center's Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for a July 6-18 run, followed by a July 20-25 run at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. The production features Melissa Errico as Eliza, Paxton Whitehead as Pickering, and Julian Holloway as Doolittle, re-creating the role his father, Stanley Holloway, created.

In 1960, Paxton Whitehead was a fledgling actor toiling without much success in his native England. "I hadn't done anything of great distinction," admits Whitehead, currently appearing as Helen Mirren's understanding, klutzy doctor in the acclaimed production of Alan Ayckbourn's "Woman in Mind" at the Tiffany Theatre. His biggest claim to fame was a stint in 1958 with the Shakespeare Memorial Theater, now the Royal Shakespeare Company. "But I was the lowest of lows," Whitehead says.

How refreshing. Craig Noel's staging of "The School for Scandal" that opened over the weekend at the Old Globe, under the stars and under the path of airplanes headed for Lindbergh Field, doesn't go for the jugular. It goes for the glitter. Occasionally, it hits the gold.

Gene Hackman mourns the loss of his wife and his road-side diner while waitress Teri Garr attempts to get him over both in "Blue Moon, Light Water," which Peter Masterson directs in Texas in August. . . . Melanie Griffith is a lady of the night who gets involved with gangster/nightclub owner Sting in "Stormy Monday," which starts filming July 6 in London. . . .

SAN DIEGO - For some theatergoers, George Bernard Shaw's classic 1913 play "Pygmalion" is "My Fair Lady" without the songs and traditional romantic ending. But returning to the source of Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner's beloved musical reminds us that Shaw's marvelous comedy contains its own music - an ebullient symphony of wit and wisdom too honest to pander to convention and too amusing for anyone to object. Nicholas Martin's charmingly acted revival at the Old Globe, starring Robert Sean Leonard as Professor Henry Higgins and Charlotte Parry as Eliza Doolittle, honors the many hues of Shaw's work.