Actor brings Darwin to the stage
By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com

Patrick Warburton

Movie and TV actor Patrick Warburton will turn the Thousand Oaks High School Performing Arts Center into a professional theater every weekend in September with his production of "Darwin in Malibu."

Warburton has cast himself as Darwin's defender Thomas Courtroom Huxley in the modern comedy that focuses on the argument between science and creationism. Cast members will be speaking with English accents as characters from the 1800s who somehow find themselves in modern Malibu.

"It's a stretch for me. When you produce something, you can put yourself in a part no one else would hire you to do," Warburton said.

Finding a part he'd never be hired to play seems unlikely for the local actor, who's currently featured in several films and TV shows that include "Rules of Engagement," a CBS series with David Spade and Oliver Hudson.

He's also in Dreamworks' "Bee Movie," a computeranimated film with Jerry Seinfeld, Renée Zellweger, Matthew Broderick, John Goodman and Chris Rock. It comes out on Nov. 2. Warburton plays Zellweger's boyfriend.

And currently in theaters in Disney's "Underdog" with James Belushi and Jason Lee. Warburton plays an overgrown evil henchman who threatens to destroy Capital City. Hopefully, Underdog is up to the task of stopping him.

But during the play, which he's putting on in Thousand Oaks with longtime friend and neighbor Gary Saderup, who plays Darwin, no superhero canines or other child pleasers will appear to entertain little ones.

The lighthearted comedy is expected to entertain the audience with its humor, but it's only for mature audiences, Warburton said.

"The F-bomb will be dropped," he warned.

The topic is provocative and the audience is expected to leave energized and ready to discuss what went on during the play.

Warburton, a father of four, is used to protecting children.

"I don't let my own young children watch 'Family Guy,'" he said.

Warburton is the voice of Joe Swanson in the cartoon TV series.

His wife and children mean everything to him, he said. He doesn't even complain about commuting to the Los Angeles area so that his family can live in such a lovely area.

"Every time I drive home I am stunned by the beauty I find. We love this place, and we love that our children can grow up here," Warburton said.

The play will run at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays with a 2:30 p.m. matinee on Sundays for four weeks beginning Sept. 7.

Student tickets are $10 each. Adult tickets are $20 each. For reservations, call (805) 4918919. Tickets will also be available at the box office the night of each performance.