By Adam Hetrick
09 Jul 2008

Neil Patrick Harris
photo by Aubrey Reuben

The new musical web series "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog" – starring stage and screen actor Neil Patrick Harris – will make its debut July 15.

Penned by "Buffy the Vampire" scribe Joss Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen, "Dr. Horrible" casts Harris in the title role as "a low-rent super villain" wannabe.

The series, produced on a shoestring budget over a period of six days during the writers strike, makes its premiere July 15. Three episodes, roughly ten-minutes each, were filmed for the series that Whedon hopes to ultimately bundle together for DVD distribution.

The series also features Nathan Fillion as the superhero Captain Hammer and Felicia Day as Penny, the object of Dr. Horrible's affection. Following the premiere, subsequent "Dr. Horrible" web-isodes will air July 17 and 19.

Music and lyrics for the series are penned by Joss and Jed Whedon, with additional lyrics by Maurissa Tancharoen. Joss Whedon is also responsible for creating the cult-favorite musical episode of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," entitled "Once More with Feeling."

Neil Patrick Harris' Broadway credits include Assassins, Proof and Cabaret as well as the L.A. company of Rent, the Reprise! and New York Philharmonic productions of Sweeney Todd and the London mounting of tick, tick . . . BOOM! Harris is also well known for his television work on "How I Met Your Mother" and "Doogie Howser, M.D."

The series trailer is available by visiting drhorrible.com.

Promotional art for "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog"