Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog

Whedon’s ’Dr. Horrible’ could become first scripted Web hit

Joss Whedon and the cast and crew of his new online musical, "Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog," gathered last night for the first screening of the show, which debuts next week.

The audience loved it, and for good reason.

The story turns the superhero genre on its head, where the protagonist is the sort-of-but-not-really-evil Dr. Horrible (Neil Patrick Harris), a third-rate villain bent on gaining admission into the Evil League of Evil — but having problems because his crimes aren’t heinous enough.

The good guy is the one we root against. Captain Hammer is a hunky and powerful but ultimately self-obsessed superhero, played to the hilt by Nathan Fillion.

Caught in the middle is Penny (Felicia Day of "Buffy" and "The Guild"), the ordinary gal who falls for Captain Hammer, while Dr. Horrible, who has long pined after her from the other side of the laundromat, looks on impotently.

The story, music and acting are all top-notch, and judging by the laughs, oohs and ahs from the audience, I wouldn’t be surprised if this is the Web’s first major scripted hit.

Above: From left, writer Maurissa Tancharoen, Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon, Felicia Day and Nathan Fillion; and Neil Patrick Harris, back, in a hat. Photo by David Sarno.