Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog

Anyone who’s anyone in Los Angeles spent Halloween in a dinky movie theater on the corner of Fairfax and Beverly, watching the charity screening of Dr. Horrible’s Sing-a-Long Blog and The Guild. The line ran all the way down the block and around the corner - fortunately Vlada, Irina, and I were there on the early side. Unfortunately, Whedonopolis, the group that puts on Whedon-related events, is not known for its punctuality. We started about an hour late, but it was worth the wait, even if standing in my ridiculous patent-leather platforms was killing me. Saw dozens of Dr. Horribles and Captain Hammers, even a few Pennys, and plenty of miscellaneous costumes. I didn’t really see anyone else dressed as their own supervillain, but it’s not like we were wearing name badges, I mean, puh-lease.

Just like at the Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Once More With Feeling sing-a-long in Pasadena, they were selling raffle tickets and goodie bags filled with items for interactivity. Lacy, gently wafting curtains, shrubbery to hide behind, a penny, the standard bottle of bubbles, glow sticks, and little Bad Horse finger puppets. For the uninitiated, these sing-a-longs are designed around the model of the Rocky Horror Picture Show - with less virgin-baiting.

Felicia Day (Codex/Penny/that girl from the Sears commercial), in a black wig and luchador costume, took to the stage at the beginning and said a few words, and then they showed The Guild, a web series about a group of gamers. It’s particularly funny if you’re a gamer, or if you know a gamer. It was certainly an appreciative audience; not everyone plays video games/rpgs, but I’d be willing to bet every person in that movie theater understands what it’s like to get caught up in the online world and forget how to function in reality.

After the raffle tickets were drawn (with a surprising lack of enthusiasm from the winners), it was time for the main attraction. I have to say, we had a surprisingly harmonious audience. When I went to the Buffy sing-a-long at Comic Con two years ago, I was stuck next to the world’s most tone-deaf man.

Now, I don’t try to pass myself off as a talented singer; I have a very nice, very short range, and among the many reasons I love Dr. Horrible’s soundtrack is that most of the songs are within my limited capabilities. So I admit, I sang my heart out. This may be my ego talking, but I think we rocked the harmonies.

The surprise of the evening was when the lights came up and I realized Joss Whedon was sitting two rows behind me. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this, but the man is my God. Well, he’s God to many, but he’s my main influence when it comes to writing for television. He’s made it on my Wall of Writers, my heroes and inspiration. Does that sound completely pathetic? I prefer to think of it as creative.

Click on the link for more :

http://hollywoodjane.wordpress.com/2008/11/01/its-a-brand-new-day/